Skype takes on Google Hangouts with shareable chat links

While Microsoft’s execution has not always been the best, the communication solution is getting better all the time.

This means you can now use Skype to chat with anyone, not just the people in your contact list. Well, this is no longer an issue.

The Microsoft Skype team announced a new feature for Skype users that allows anyone running Skype to establish what is basically a public chat room with just two clicks of the mouse. That friend doesn’t need to download any software or even have an account to get in on the conversation either, thanks to Skype’s new web-based calling.

Once you’ve updated, click the +New button, and invite anyone to join a Skype chat by sharing the unique link.

In the case of those without Skype accounts, they’ll be able to sign in to a chat as a guest by typing in their name then clicking “Join”.

The URLs can be shared to places like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and through email. And if you live outside the USA and United Kingdom, Microsoft says it will roll out this functionality to the rest of the world over the next couple of weeks.

USA and United Kingdom users can start, share, or join a conversation from the Windows or Mac desktop application and Skype for Web. Who cares? Send them a link and start chatting away. As Skype does well enough for smaller meetings with a few participants who only need to chat, message, share files or screenshare, the option to invite anyone could boost its usage. Tell me in the comments.