Google Slides Speaker Spotlight has a specific sharing requirement in Google Meet. Google’s guidance says a Chrome tab must be shared; sharing a window or the entire screen turns the spotlight feature off. Verify this route before assuming that a camera-shaped placeholder is a working audience feed.
Use the supported sharing mode
On a computer in Chrome, open the eligible Slides deck containing a spotlight shape. Join the Meet call in another Chrome window. In Meet, choose Present now > A tab, select the Slides tab, and share it.
Start and inspect the slideshow
Use Start slideshow in Meet and check the spotlight camera control. Review the actual audience view, including the presenter’s background and the slide content around the feed. The feature remains subject to eligible work or school accounts and the relevant camera settings.
Do not switch to window or entire-screen sharing while expecting spotlight to remain active. Use a different layout if the event requires a sharing route incompatible with the feature.
Check presenter handovers
Google’s guidance says that when another presenter takes over, your spotlight turns off and your camera remains in the meeting’s tile grid. If you resume presenting, turn spotlight back on as needed. Rehearse the handover with the people involved rather than assuming the camera feed will automatically return to the slide. Successful spotlight behavior in one presenter’s session is not proof that another account, browser, or sharing configuration has the same eligibility and controls. Verify the resumed presenter before continuing the talk.
References
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.