Gmail Chat lets you chat with AIM users even if you don't have an AIM account.
Once you sign into your Gmail account you can add AIM contacts directly into Gmail just like you would add a Gmail or Google Talk contact. Your AIM buddies will populate your Contacts list, and are searchable just like your Google Talk contacts.
To invite them to chat simply type their screen name into your Chat roster's search field (i.e. linkbuilding@aol.com) and click Invite to chat. Once your contact accepts your invitation you'll be able to start chatting.
Please read if you used the previous AIM functionality:
AOL has created a tool that imports your AIM contacts into your Gmail account so that you don't have to re-add your contacts one by one.
Add your AIM buddies to Gmail chat - Step 1 of 2
Gmail is changing the way you connect to AIM buddies. Instead of signing into AIM from Gmail, you can now connect directly to AIM Usernames with your Gmail address.
You'll need to add your AIM buddies to your Gmail contacts in order to continue chatting with them in Gmail. You can use this simple importer - to get started, login to AIM below.
You'll need to add your AIM buddies to your Gmail contacts in order to continue chatting with them in Gmail. You can use this simple importer - to get started, login to AIM below.