Google Calendar's Task Blocking Update Boosts Productivity

As of November 18th, 2025, Google Calendar has introduced a highly anticipated update that revolutionizes the way users manage their tasks. The new feature allows Workspace, individual, and personal Gmail account holders to block off time for specific tasks, effectively treating them like meetings.

This update expands on the existing Tasks feature in Calendar, giving users the ability to set a dedicated time slot for a task, turn on "do not disturb" mode, and automatically reject meeting requests during that time. Users can also add a deadline, though currently only the date and not the time.

For those who rely on planners or have used similar features in Outlook, this update could be a game-changer. It enables users to keep better track of their work and let others know when they need to focus. Unlike the existing "Focus Time" feature, the updated Tasks function allows users to assign time to specific tasks, providing more granular control over their schedules.

To try out the new feature, users can simply go into their Google Calendar and select "Task" from the options that appear when they click on an empty block on their calendar.