In today’s world, many meetings—whether personal, for school, or work—are happening virtually. Tools like Google Meet make it easy and enjoyable to host meetings, seminars, or even team-building sessions. For a noiseless environment and an array of additional features, pair Google Meet with Krisp for the ultimate meeting experience.
A key aspect of virtual meetings is maintaining a professional appearance, and having the right Google Meet background can make a big difference. Customizing your background not only adds a touch of professionalism but also keeps your meetings visually engaging. Blurring your background is a simple yet effective option if you’re unsure about which background to choose.
Keep reading to explore more creative ideas for Google Meet backgrounds that will enhance your virtual presence!
Why Use Google Meet Backgrounds
Working remotely means you can work from anywhere you want. It’s a great advantage for many people, as it offers the freedom to travel and work from places you love, such as your favorite cafe, coworking space, home, or even a bookstore. You can enjoy a good meal or a hot cup of cappuccino while working, but when it comes to meetings, you must be mindful of your background. Personal, awkward, or unprofessional backgrounds can detract from your meeting presence, which is why using Google Meet backgrounds is essential.
It’s important to choose a background that makes you feel comfortable to conceal your surroundings and enhance your privacy. When you’re not relaxed, you can’t have effective meetings or achieve good results. After customizing your background, also consider using Krisp for noise cancellation, (if you wonder how noise canceling works, then read this). It’s the best way to block out unwanted noise, helping you stay focused and undisturbed during important meetings.
How To Change Your Google Meet Background
Sometimes you don’t even notice your background until the call is in progress or when you join the call. If you are not a person who gets ready for every call and is not scrupulous for every detail, then Google Meet has the feature to change the background during the call. Let’s see the all the steps and you can try it out on your own.
- Join or Start a Google Meet Call: Open Google Meet and join or start a meeting.
- Click on “More Options” (Three Dots), which is at the bottom right corner of your screen.
- Select “Apply Visual Effects”. On the right of your screen, you can find various background options.
- Choose Your Background: Here, you have some options. You can select an image from your computer, choose a blur effect, or select a pre-uploaded Google Meet background image.
- Preview Your Selection: Before applying, preview your chosen background to see how it looks.
- Click “Done” to Apply: Your background will change, providing a new look to your video.
How to Blur Background in Google Meet
Sometimes, you may not have the time to choose a suitable background, or you simply don’t like using background images. Blurring your background can solve these issues, offering a quick and effective solution. It’s also a great way to maintain privacy and ensure that nothing inappropriate or awkward is visible during your meeting. Google Meet provides several blur options, allowing you to adjust the level of blur according to your preference.
Steps to Blur Your Background in Google Meet:
- Click on “Apply Visual Effects” from the options menu during a meeting.
- Select “Slight Blur” or “Heavy Blur”: Choose the blur intensity you want for your background.
- Apply and Preview: Check how the blur looks and make sure it works for your setting.
Customizing Your Google Meet Background Image
You can find many cool Google Meet background images on the internet. The key is to choose one that resonates with you, suits your working environment, and won’t become boring over time. A background image can say a lot about a person, so it’s important to choose wisely. Make sure it reflects your personality and makes you feel comfortable during calls, whether they are professional or personal. If your background image doesn’t feel right, you might feel tense during the call, affecting its effectiveness. So, personalize your Google Meet background to suit you.
How to Customize Your Google Meet Background:
- Go to “Apply Visual Effects”: During your meeting, click the three dots to access the visual effects menu.
- Upload Your Image: Click on the ‘+’ icon to upload a custom image from your device.
- Fit and Adjust: Ensure the image fits well with your video frame for the best appearance.
Choosing Google Meet Background Images
Changing, blurring, or customizing a Google Meet background image is not as difficult as choosing the right background. When you’re on a call with friends discussing a group project, you might pick fun images—like being at the beach, in the sky with birds, or sitting next to a celebrity. However, selecting an appropriate background can be more challenging for professional meetings or job interviews. If your background isn’t suitable for a professional setting, choose a more fitting image or blur it. An unprofessional background can give off the wrong impression.
Firstly, research the company you’re interviewing with. Try to match their tone of voice if it aligns with your comfort level. For example, if your interview is with a bookstore, a background featuring bookshelves filled with books can make a great impression and show your creativity. It demonstrates that you can align with the company’s vibe. But if it’s for a law or marketing office or unsure what fits best, opt for a simple, professional background without prominent themes or distracting elements.
Here are some tips for choosing a Google Meet background image:
- Keep it Professional: Choose something professional if the background is for work. If you’re uncertain which one to select, using the blur feature is safer.
- Avoid Distracting Elements: Distracting images can negatively impact the meeting’s outcome. Focus should remain on the speaker and the topic, not on busy backgrounds or external noise. After selecting a non-distracting image, consider using Krisp to block out any background noise, as it can affect the meeting, your focus, and your health.
- Use High-Quality Images: Quality is key. Low-resolution images can appear unprofessional and awkward. Test the image before your meeting because it’s not always obvious if it’s low-resolution until you see it on screen.
Taking care of Google Meet background images is just as important as managing background noise. For a professional appearance and your comfort, it’s essential to eliminate background noise as well. With a good background image and a noiseless environment, you’ll minimize distractions and be able to fully immerse yourself in the meeting, making it as effective as possible. To learn more on how to remove background noise on Google Meet.
Troubleshooting Google Meet Background Issues
Blurring your Google Meet background is a great option if you don’t have a suitable background image that meets your needs or are short on time. If you’re already in a call and notice your background isn’t quite right, you can quickly blur it to keep things professional. However, if the blur function isn’t working correctly, follow these steps to resolve the issue.
- Check Browser Compatibility: Ensure you’re using an updated version of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox.
- Enable Hardware Acceleration: Ensure hardware acceleration is enabled in your browser settings for smooth visual effects.
- Update Your Device Drivers: Outdated drivers, especially for your camera, can cause background issues in Google Meet.
Conclusion
Customizing your Google Meet background is a great idea for enhancing your virtual meeting experience. Whether you’re attending a professional meeting, a job interview, or a casual catch-up with friends, finding the right background image is essential. It helps you maintain your privacy while presenting an appropriate appearance. You have many options, from various background images to simply blurring your background.
Taking the time to select or customize your background can boost your confidence and minimize distractions, allowing you to focus entirely on the conversation. Pair this with noise-canceling tools like Krisp to optimize both your visual and audio environments for the best meeting experience.
Remember, a well-chosen background works wonders—it sets the tone, showcases your attention to detail, and helps you present your best self in any virtual setting. Keep experimenting with backgrounds until you find one that makes you feel comfortable and professional, and enjoy seamless, engaging meetings.
