Google is quietly working on some long-awaited upgrades for its Messages app that could make conversations more engaging and easier to follow. Recent findings from the app’s beta versions suggest that @mentions and revamped link previews are on the way, bringing Messages closer to the experience already common in apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Google Chat.
@Mentions Finally Coming to Google Messages
For years, users of group chats in Google Messages have been left without an easy way to grab someone’s attention directly. That is about to change. The latest builds reveal a developing system where users can @mention others in conversations.
When you’re mentioned, a small @ symbol will appear next to the chat in your list, letting you know you were tagged. Typing an @ followed by a name, or even just starting to enter someone’s name, will bring up suggestions, making tagging quick and intuitive.
Google is also preparing usage tips that will help users understand how to take advantage of this new tagging system. While the feature hasn’t gone live yet, its presence in testing suggests it’s getting closer to launch.
A New Look for Link Previews
Another big change in the pipeline involves how Google Messages handles link previews. Right now, link previews show a thumbnail, title, and a two-line description. But in the future, Google plans to simplify and modernize the look.
Early screenshots show that the new design removes the description text entirely and instead uses bold fonts and colors drawn directly from the link’s featured image. This makes previews stand out more visually and gives each shared article or website a distinct look.
There are some quirks to iron out: when a message contains only a URL, the text of the link sometimes disappears, though it still appears if the user adds a message to the shared link. Since this is still in testing, the final implementation may address this.
Google is also experimenting with a new forward/share shortcut for links, similar to how users can currently reshare photos and videos. This could make link sharing far faster than the current method, which requires multiple steps.
What This Means for Users
Both updates—@mentions and redesigned link previews—signal that Google is taking steps to make Messages a stronger competitor against established players like WhatsApp and Telegram. Google has always had an upper hand since most phones come with Google Messages preinstalled but it has always lagged behind in features. The @mentions feature will especially improve group conversations, making them easier to manage, while the refreshed link previews promise a cleaner and more visually appealing chat experience.
As always, there’s no timeline for when these features will officially roll out. For now, they remain hidden inside beta versions of Google Messages. But their progress suggests it may not be long before users worldwide get access to these long-requested upgrades.
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