diff --git a/recipes/hangoutschat/package.json b/recipes/hangoutschat/package.json
index 9bc79f1aa..4c0b2600c 100644
--- a/recipes/hangoutschat/package.json
+++ b/recipes/hangoutschat/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "id": "hangoutschat",
   "name": "Hangouts Chat",
-  "version": "1.8.1",
+  "version": "1.8.2",
   "license": "MIT",
   "aliases": [
     "google-chat",
diff --git a/recipes/hangoutschat/webview.js b/recipes/hangoutschat/webview.js
index 7f2acf2cb..307a75278 100644
--- a/recipes/hangoutschat/webview.js
+++ b/recipes/hangoutschat/webview.js
@@ -14,9 +14,6 @@ module.exports = Ferdium => {
       'https://accounts.google.com/AccountChooser?continue=https://chat.google.com/?referrer=2';
   }
 
-  // class corresponding to the red badge that is visible for direct messages
-  const directMessageSelector = 'div.V6.CL.su.ahD.X9.Y2 span.akt span.XU';
-
   // class corresponding to the bold text that is visible for room messages
   const indirectMessageSelector = 'div.V6.CL.V2.X9.Y2 span.akt span.XU';
 
@@ -25,10 +22,8 @@ module.exports = Ferdium => {
     let directCount;
     let indirectCount;
 
-    const directCountSelector = document.querySelector(directMessageSelector);
-    if (directCountSelector) {
-      directCount = Number(directCountSelector.textContent);
-    }
+    // get unread messages count
+    directCount = document.querySelectorAll('link[href^="https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/favicon_chat_new_notif_"][href$=".ico"]').length;
 
     // get unread indirect messages
     const indirectCountSelector = document.querySelector(