Prevent Gmail From Automatically Revealing Your Online Status

Your friend or colleague can see when you’re online throughout the Google network—via Gmail, for example—and available for chat. If you want to decide for yourself when your contacts can tell whether you are online, Gmail provides this option. Here’s how to protect your online status from showing up in Gmail and turn off the chat feature for all your contacts.

How to Mute Notifications in Gmail

Here’s what to do if you only want to mute the notifications of chat for a set amount of time.

Controlling Invites in Hangouts

Invisible Mode may not exist anymore, but you have some control over who contacts you. Go back into the menu under the arrow next to your name, and then select Customize Invite Settings. The next screen contains controls that allow specified groups of people to contact you directly or send you an invitation.