Google Calendar Automatically Adds Video Calls

Google Calendar recently added a new “feature” so that every new event is by default a video call. Defaulting to a video call encourages the use of a Google+ Hangout, which is what Google wants.

Of course most calendar events are not video calls, so now for every event you create, you also need to remove the video call or else attendees will think the meeting is a video conference.

In the announcement “New Google Calendar events will now have a Hangout video call link“, Google claims this change will reduce confusion. I think it increases confusion.

Disable Google Calendar Default Video Call

In Google Apps

If you use Google Apps, only the administrator for your organization can change this setting.

1. Open the Google Apps setting for calendars.

2. Turn off the automatic video calls option.

In Gmail

If you use Gmail, you can change this setting yourself.

1. In Google Calendar, select Settings.

2. Turn off the automatic video calls option.

You might need to log out and in to your account for this setting change to take effect.