How Do You Make Your Custom Message on Chat Visible to Contacts on Gmail?

Your Gmail account includes a chat feature that integrates with Google Talk using your Gmail address as your username. When you set your availability status on your Google Talk chat list, it appears beside your username in each of your contacts' Google Talk lists. Custom messages let you modify your chat status at will. If you do not have the Google Talk application, set your status in the Gmail panel to make it visible to your contacts in Gmail and Google Talk.

Instructions

1. Open your Web browser and launch your Gmail account.

2. Locate the "Chat" window in the lower left corner of the screen. Click the arrow beside the "Set status here" link.

3. Choose "Custom Message" in the drop-down menu. Enter your custom message and press "Enter" to save it. Your message will be visible to your Gmail contacts from their Gmail page or the Google Talk contact list.