Android Authority poll finds Google Messages users oppose new business chat feature

Android Authority reported that the feature is intended to highlight additions to the experience that some users might not notice. The reminder channel might be useful to some users, but the poll results showed a majority against the business chat idea.

The poll's responses split three ways. A 52.3% majority described the feature as "unnecessary bloat." Another 20.6% considered it a "promising addition." The remaining 27.1% said they would give the feature the benefit of the doubt based on "how it's implemented."

Readers ranked other features higher than the business chat feature, Android Authority reported. Those included additional font settings, contact categorization, and further education on RCS.

One commenter, identified as TopCop72, made a critical point about the feature. "Google Texts You but you can’t reply or give feedback," the commenter wrote. "I remember back in the day before Google Messages, several texting apps had these same AI type messages being sent out about updates. Bloated the whole experience up. Unless its some life altering update, what’s the purpose?"

Android Authority also asked readers whether they feared Google Messages was becoming more like WhatsApp and what features they believed the app was missing.