Request a Google Group
In February 2021, Google announced it would be phasing out the unlimited and free storage allocation previously available to schools and universities that use Google Drive. Instead, it will offer a base amount of storage for a fixed fee and a charge for additional storage. An initiative is underway to support the university’s transformation to a new Google service.
Unfortunately, you cannot directly request a Google Group through the Gmail interface. The method for requesting a group depends on your situation:
1. If you have a Google Workspace account:
- Typically, within a Google Workspace organization, administrators (people with management privileges) have the authority to create groups. You can reach out to the administrator or IT department and request them to create a Google Group for your needs. They’ll handle the creation process and set you up with the appropriate permissions.
2. If you don’t have a Google Workspace account:
- Google Groups are primarily intended for Google Workspace organizations. However, there are alternative options for creating online groups or communities:
- Free Online Forums: Several platforms offer free forum creation, like https://www.phpbb.com/ or https://www.proboards.com/. These can be a good option for public discussions or communities.
- Social Media Groups: Consider creating a group on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn, depending on your purpose and target audience.
- Third-party Collaboration Tools: Tools like Slack or Discord offer group chat and communication features, useful for project-based collaboration or informal discussions.
Here’s some additional information to consider:
- If you’re unsure about your Google Workspace status, check with your school, workplace, or organization’s IT department. They can clarify if you have a Google Workspace account associated with your email address.
- Google Workspace administrators have various group creation options, including public or private groups, and can set access permissions depending on your needs.
- Explore the alternative platforms mentioned above based on your specific requirements for the online group or community you want to create.
I hope this information helps! Let me know if you have any other questions about Google Groups or alternative online collaboration tools.
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