What the Yellow Google Meet Icon Means
- Virtual Office
- Jul 8, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 24

Google Meet is a versatile and widely used video conferencing tool that offers various features to enhance virtual meetings. One such feature is using icons to convey important information to participants. Among these icons, the yellow Google Meet icon can sometimes cause confusion. In this article, you will learn what the yellow icon signifies, when it appears, and if there’s a way to remove it.
Outside Guests "External" Icon
In Google Meet, the yellow icon typically indicates the presence of outside guests or external participants in your meeting. This icon is a visual cue to let you know someone outside your organization has joined the call. It's essential for maintaining security and awareness, especially during meetings where sensitive information might be discussed.
The yellow icon helps you quickly identify external participants, allowing you to manage the meeting more effectively. By being aware of who is present, you can ensure that only authorized individuals can access shared information.
When Will This Icon Show
The yellow Google Meet icon appears under specific circumstances. Here are some scenarios in which you might see this icon:
Inviting External Guests: When you invite someone outside your organization to a Google Meet, a yellow icon will appear next to their name once they join the meeting. This helps distinguish between internal team members and external guests.
Guest Access Links: If you share a Google Meet link publicly or with people outside your domain, the icon will appear when they join the call. This is particularly useful for webinars or public meetings where attendees might not belong to your organization.
Cross-organization Collaborations: During collaborations with other companies or institutions, the yellow icon indicates the presence of participants from those external entities. This is crucial for maintaining the meeting's confidentiality.
Understanding when and why the yellow icon appears can help you better manage your Google Meet sessions and ensure that your meetings are secure and efficient.
Is There a Way to Remove it?
Many users wonder if there’s a way to remove the yellow Google Meet icon, especially if they frequently host meetings with external participants. Unfortunately, as of now, there is no option to remove or disable this icon. The presence of this icon is a deliberate feature designed to enhance security and transparency within Google Meet.
Here’s why the yellow icon is essential:
Security: It provides an extra layer of security by clearly indicating when an external participant is present.
Transparency: It ensures all participants know who is in the meeting, which is crucial for maintaining trust and open communication.
Meeting Management: It helps hosts manage the meeting more effectively by quickly identifying external participants.
While it might seem inconvenient to some, the benefits of having the yellow icon far outweigh the drawbacks. It promotes a secure and transparent environment essential for effective virtual meetings.
In conclusion, the yellow Google Meet icon plays a critical role in indicating the presence of outside guests. Users can better navigate their meetings and maintain a secure communication environment by understanding its purpose and the scenarios in which it appears. Although there is no way to remove the icon, its presence is an essential reminder of who participates in your Google Meet sessions.
Google Meet icons, such as the yellow one for external guests, are part of the broader Google Meet control features designed to enhance user experience and security. By leveraging these tools, you can ensure your meetings are well-managed and secure, providing a seamless experience for all participants.