Because I can't cmd-tab to it. Because it brings every Chrome window to front if I just want to read a message. Because it floats on top of Chrome whenever it's open. Because I can't easily move it between monitors, or to a different part of the screen. It's also really rubbish at uploading files. Why can't I drag and drop? And how about search? You're Google ffs. Why do I have to go to Gmail to search Hangouts, instead of allowing search in, oh I don't know, how about in Hangouts?

Some of these may have changed since I abandoned Hangouts last year for Telegram, which still has the best desktop experience.

I don't use Hangouts, but I thought Google hangouts now has a desktop app variant that solves the problems you mentioned.

> Because it brings every Chrome window to front if I just want to read a message

Are you using a Mac by any chance?

Yes, hence cmd-tab.

Ok, then that is the reason for the issues you see but you probably already knew.

Edit: removed lots of unnecessary text : )

It's only the reason for it inasmuch as Hangouts is implemented in a way that behaves like this on Mac. It's not as if it's an inherent property of the OS.