How to view attendees during a presentation in Google Meet

Google Meet has given other video conferencing services a run for their money. It helps you turn your PC or mobile device into a virtual meeting room, whiteboard or presentation area with just a few clicks. If you have a presentation coming up, Google Meet can provide you with all the tools you need to get your message across effectively and efficiently. You don't even need to download and install anything.

There is only one problem: once your presentation has started, you can no longer see your audience. In this situation, collecting feedback from participants can be difficult.

Luckily, there are still a few creative ways to present and view attendees at the same time. In this article, we'll show you how to do it.

How to Present and View Attendees on a PC

A PC is arguably the most convenient and efficient way to present on Google Meet, as it allows you to run many different applications at once. For example, you can present an Excel spreadsheet and a PowerPoint document while running accounting software in another window. All of this would take a lot more time (and energy) on a phone or tablet.

Let's now explore the steps that can help you share your screen and present while still seeing other participants.

Method 1: Connecting another monitor to your PC

One of the best things about modern PCs is that they come with an input for at least one additional monitor. By connecting another monitor before you start your Google Meet presentation, you can have participants on one monitor and then use the other for the actual presentation. You can even attach a third monitor if you want a lot more maneuverability during your presentation.

Most modern desktop/laptop computers have at least one VGA port that you can use to connect another monitor. If your computer doesn't have one, it most likely has an HDMI port that serves the same purpose. But if it doesn't either, you can use one of the available USB ports, but you'll need a USB-to-HDMI adapter to make the connection easier.

Once you have connected the second monitor, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Windows icon at the bottom left of your screen, then scroll down and click on "Settings".
   
2. Click on “System”.
   
3. Click on “Show”.
   
4. Under the “Multiple displays” sub-header, change the setting from “Duplicate displays” to “Extend these displays”. This will allow you to combine your screens into one extended desktop.
   
5. Click "Keep changes" to confirm the changes.
   
6. At this point, launch Google Meet.
   
7. Separate the Google Meet tab from the tabs hosting the content you want to showcase.
8. Drag the Google Meet tab to the second monitor.
9. When you're ready to get started, click the "Present" button at the bottom of the Google Meet tab, then select "Your Entire Screen." Windows will then show all the monitors connected to your system and let you choose which one has the content you want to display.
   
10. Click "Share" to start your presentation.
    

With this arrangement, all the content you want to present will be on one monitor and your audience on the other. This will allow you to involve all participants throughout the session. You can even pause and invite questions or comments.

Method 2: Using Chrome extension without duplicate

Most people love Google Meet because it provides wireless and hassle-free video conferencing service. For this reason, the idea of ​​attaching additional monitors may not be very appealing. You may not even have extra space for additional monitors. Maybe you don't have spare screens at all. Either way, the Dualless extender might be the perfect solution.

The Dualless extension helps you split your browser window into two screens with varying ratios. You can dedicate one part to presenting and use the other for your Google Meet live stream.

Here is how this method works:

1. Open the Chrome web store and install the Dualless extension.
   
2. Once installed, the extension icon should appear in the upper right corner of your browser. If it's not the case,
   • Click the extensions button.
     
   • Select the Dualless extension from the list of extensions added to your browser,
     
   • Click on the “pin” icon next to the extension. This will pin the extension to your address bar for convenience.
     
3. Launch Google Meet and click on the extension icon. This will start the process of splitting your screen into two.
   
4. Select the split ratio. You will be offered suggestions, including 7:3, 6:4, 5:5, 4:6, and 3:7. You can juggle between them and select the one that best suits your needs.
   
5. At this point, the Google Meet tab will be split into two screens. You can now share your screen on one side and use the other for your Google Meet live stream.

While the Dualless Chrome extension is a great option if you don't have a spare monitor, it can only be useful when the content you want to display is on your browser.

Method 3: Join the meeting using a second device

If the content you want to view isn't on a browser and you don't want to have to connect an additional monitor to your PC, why not join the meeting a second time?

One of the benefits of Google Meet is that you can run two instances in the same meeting: one as a presenter and the other as a participant. For this to work you obviously need a second device. It can be another PC, an Android phone or an iOS device. This layout allows you to use one device for your presentation and the other for audience monitoring.

Here's how to do it:

1. Launch Google Meet and generate an invite code.
   
2. Use the code to join the meeting from the second device.
   
3. Start screen sharing and start presenting.
   

If you opt for this option, make sure to turn off the mic and speaker sound on your second device. This way, you won't have to deal with echo noise during the presentation.

How to Share Participants Screenshot from iPhone

When presenting from an iPhone on Google Meet, your options for seeing and engaging your attendees are very limited. This is because the screen is relatively small and any attempt to perform these two actions will not work natively. You cannot connect an additional screen like you would on a computer. However, you can still run two instances in the same meeting: as a presenter and as a participant. Here's how:

1. Assemble your devices (your iPhone and an additional device that supports Google Meet).
2. Start a video call from your iPhone.
   
3. Join the meeting from the second device.
   
4. Tap "Share Screen" on the iPhone.
   
5. Tap "Start Broadcast".
   

How to Share Screen to Present and View Attendees on an Android Device

As with the iPhone, a workaround with a second device is recommended. You can still join the meeting as a presenter and as a participant if you have an additional device that supports Google Meet. Here's how:

1. Gather your devices (your Android phone and an additional device).
2. Start a video call from your Android.
   
3. Join the meeting from the second device.
   
4. On your Android phone, tap "Share Screen".
   
5. Tap "Start Now".
   

Additional FAQs

How many people can I see at the same time during a presentation?

You can see and interact with up to 49 participants during a presentation from a PC.

Keep your audience engaged

To create a great presentation on Google Meet, it's important to engage your audience and invite questions or comments throughout the session. However, it's not easy to keep everyone engaged if you can't see them during your presentation. Although Google Meet's design for screen sharing doesn't allow presenters to see other participants during the session, you can easily do so with an additional monitor, compatible device, or the Dualless Chrome extension.

Have you tried using any of the tools covered in this guide in your presentations? How was it?

Let us know in the comments section below.