How you can use Google Vids for Screen Recording.

Yes, you can use Google Vids as a replacement for Loom.

Since Google Vids was launched, many of our clients have asked if they can use it as a replacement for Loom. The answer is YES! In this blog post, I will walk you through how to use Google Vids, record a screen share, and share that recording with others.

Additionally, keeping everything you record in Google Drive gives your IT team and your business the benefit of managing and securing that data with your company's already established security policies without trying to replicate them in yet another service.

With Google Vids included in your Google Workspace package, if you have subscribed to Loom, consider ending that subscription. After you read this blog post and watch the video, you might no longer need Loom.

Start your screen recording.

To start a new screen recording, you need to access Google Vids at vids.new. Going to this web address instead of vids.google.com will jump straight into creating your screen share.

When you first enter Google Vids, you will see a Gemini welcome screen (as shown below). Google Vids is intended for creating videos rather than screen shares, so this welcome screen will encourage you to create an AI-powered video. Ignore the box asking you to enter a prompt, and instead, click the Record button on the left-hand side.

Once you click the Record button, the welcome screen will change to the screen below; on this screen, click the Record Now button.

The record screen will now open in Chrome - as shown below. If this is your first time using the record function, Chrome will ask if you want to grant Google Vids permission to access your webcam, microphone, and screen. You must approve these permissions; without them, Google Vids will be unable to record any content, and you won't be able to make a screen share.

Once you have granted permission and want to start your recording, using the pill control at the top of the screen, you can choose whether:

• It should be a recording of just you talking to your webcam (default)

• A recording of your screen with your narration and you included.

• A recording of your screen with your narration.

• An audio-only recording.

Once you have made your selection, as when you share your screen in Google Meet, if you selected an option that includes a recording of your screen, a pop-up will appear, asking you to choose what from your screen you want to record. Click the Share button once you have selected what you want to record.

You are now ready to record; all you are left to do is click the Red Record button to start. When you want to stop the recording, click the Red Square button that replaces the Red Record button. Your recording is now complete.

Next, return to the Google Vids tab in Chrome and click the Insert button at the top right to insert your recording into Google Vids. It is important to note that your recording is not saved until you have done this!

Once you have clicked Insert, your recorded video will appear inside Google Vids. Here, you can edit the video. If you want to record more and add it to the video timeline, click the Insert button in the toolbar and then click Recording to record more.

Sharing your screen recording.

Click the Preview button at the top right to watch your video, as it will be seen by recipients. If it is not quite how you wanted it to be, you can go back and make edits before sharing.

• Like any Google Doc, don't forget to provide a filename. Otherwise, you will end up with a load of Untitled Videos in your Google Drive, making it hard to find the one you're looking for in the future.

• Click on the Move icon or File> Move to store your recording in a specific location in Google Drive. Otherwise, your Google Vid will be saved in your My Drive, which might be a pain for your team if they need access while you're away. Saving into a Shared Drive is always best.

Sharing the Google Vid is the same process as sharing any document, sheet, or slide on Google Drive. Click the Share button in the top right and enter the details of the people you want to share the recording with. If it is a guide that people may need to access, it might be best to share it using the option "anyone with the link" can view.

Is Google Vids a suitable replacement for other video recording tools?

Google Vids offers similar features to Loom, such as screen recording and sharing, but with the added advantage of being integrated into the Google ecosystem, making it easier to manage and secure your data. For more tips and tricks like this, sign up for our newsletter below. If your company is already using Google Workspace but your IT support provider is clueless about what can be done, book a video call with us and explore partnering with Kimbley IT.