Google Messages wants to make it easier to know which contacts are using RCS
And which ones still aren't

One of the primary strengths of Google Messages is its ability to transmit messages via not just SMS, but also MMS, and RCS. The latter of the three is the safest and most functional option, bringing advanced features like end-to-end encryption, typing indicators, read receipts, high-resolution media transmission, dynamic group chats, and more.