The first questions.
Do my friends need hangout too?
Yes, everyone in a hangout needs it. If a friend doesn't have it yet, the invite link shows them how to add it, then takes them straight in.
Which sites does it work on?
Almost any site with a video: YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Twitch, Vimeo, and the players most other sites use. If it plays in your browser, hangout can most likely sync it.
Does everyone need their own subscription?
Yes. Everyone watches on their own account, in their own browser. hangout only keeps the players in step: it never streams or shares the video itself.
Which browsers can I use?
Chrome, Arc, Dia, Edge and Brave: Chrome, and the browsers built on it. Phones don't run browser extensions, so hangout is for computers.
Is it free?
Yes. No account, no ads, nothing to pay.
Everything else.
How many people can join?
Up to 50 in one hangout.
Is there a voice or video chat?
No. hangout keeps the video in sync, and you talk wherever you already do: on a call, in a group chat, or on the same couch.
What happens when someone's video loads?
Everyone waits for them, then the video goes on together. If someone slips behind, hangout brings them back without anyone doing a thing.
Can I stop others from pausing?
Yes. Everyone can play, pause and skip by default, but whoever started the hangout can keep the controls to themselves.
What if I close the tab?
You leave the hangout, and it goes on for the others. Open the link again to rejoin, or save the hangout in hangout's menu to come back to it with one click.