Google Chat API: what it can do and how to use it with AI agents
The Google Chat API lets you build apps that talk to users, post in spaces and respond to events in Google Workspace. Companies that use Workspace and want bots and notifications inside chat use it. Access is configured in a Google Cloud project, with approval from the domain administrator.
What the Google Chat API offers
Messages
Send, edit and read messages in spaces and direct conversations.
Spaces
Create and manage spaces and their members.
Interactive cards
Messages with buttons, forms and dialogs.
Interaction events
The app receives mentions, direct messages and button clicks.
Incoming webhooks
A simple way to post notifications to a space.
How to access the Google Chat API
- With your company’s credentialsChat apps use a service account or OAuth 2.0 with a Google Cloud project. The app must be configured and approved on the domain by the Workspace administrator.
- The app only sees spaces it was added to: this is good and should stay that way.
- There are quotas per project and per user.
- Internal conversations may contain personal and strategic data: agree on retention with legal.
Official documentation: developers.google.com/workspace/chat
What an iTeam agent does with the Google Chat API
Internal helpdesk in chat
Employees message the agent with IT or HR questions and get an answer with the source. Whatever is not resolved becomes a ticket.
Alerts that call for action
System alerts reach the team's space as a card, with buttons to acknowledge or escalate.
Request approvals
Purchase or time-off requests appear to the manager as an approval card, and the answer goes back to the system.
Project space summaries
The agent summarizes decisions and open items in spaces for people who were away.
From the credential to the agent at work, with approval
Configure the app in Google Cloud
Enable the Google Chat API, set up the app with a name and avatar, and define whether it receives direct and space messages.
Approve on the domain and add to iTeam
The Workspace administrator approves the app. Credentials stay in the iTeam vault with each agent's permissions.
Pilot in one space
Start in a test space, adjust the answers and only then open it to the company.
Ready-made AI teams for this work
WhatsApp customer service
Customers write at 11 p.m. and on Sundays. This team replies in seconds, with your prices and policies, and calls a person when it should.
Help desk support team
It reads each ticket, finds the answer in your docs and past replies, and drafts a response your agents can send or improve.
AI phone receptionist
It answers the phone, books the visit in your calendar and sends your team a short note about every call.
Online store support team
It looks up the real order in Shopify or WooCommerce and answers tracking, return and exchange questions in seconds.
Customer success team
It reads usage, tickets and CRM notes every week and tells your team which accounts need a call, and why.
Customer feedback analysis
It reads every comment, finds the themes behind the scores and tells each area what customers are asking it to fix.
Questions about the Google Chat API
Is the Google Chat API free?
In general, yes. There is no charge for the API within its quotas, but it requires a Google Workspace account.
Do I need to code to use the Google Chat API with iTeam?
No. The deployment team sets up the app in Google Cloud with your administrator and connects it to the agents.
Does it work with personal Gmail accounts?
Chat apps are built for Google Workspace. For company use, the domain needs to be on Workspace.
