The Three Modes
Chat Mode
In Chat mode, visitors interact with your assistant through text messages only. They type their questions and receive written responses — similar to a live chat experience, but powered by your AI assistant. What visitors see: A chat bubble that opens into a text conversation window with a message input field. Best for:- Websites where visitors prefer a quiet, text-based experience
- Situations where visitors may be in public or at work and can’t speak out loud
- Businesses that want to avoid microphone permission prompts in the browser
- Mobile visitors who may not want to use their microphone
Voice Mode
In Voice mode, visitors speak directly to your assistant through their browser microphone. It’s like a phone call that happens right on your website — no dialing required. What visitors see: A voice interface that prompts them to speak. The browser will ask for microphone permission on first use. Best for:- Businesses that want a phone-like experience on their website
- Assistants that are primarily optimized for voice conversations
- Visitors who prefer speaking over typing
- Situations where hands-free interaction is valuable
Chat & Voice Mode (Default)
Chat & Voice mode gives visitors both options. They can type messages or switch to voice — whichever they prefer. This is the default mode when you create a new widget key. What visitors see: A chat interface with the option to switch to voice interaction. Best for:- Most businesses, because it lets each visitor choose their preferred method
- Websites with a diverse audience (some visitors prefer typing, others prefer talking)
- When you’re not sure which mode to choose — this covers both bases
Mode Comparison
| Feature | Chat | Voice | Chat & Voice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text-based messaging | Yes | No | Yes |
| Voice interaction | No | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone permission required | No | Yes | Only for voice |
| Works in noisy environments | Yes | Poorly | Yes (via chat) |
| Hands-free interaction | No | Yes | Yes (via voice) |
| Default for new widgets | No | No | Yes |
How Modes Appear in the Dashboard
On your Widgets page, each assistant card displays a mode badge so you can see at a glance how each widget is configured:- Chat — Text-based chat only
- Voice — Voice-based interaction only
- Chat & Voice — Both options available
Changing the Mode
When you first create a widget key, it defaults to Chat & Voice mode. Currently, the mode is set at the time of key creation. If you want to change the mode:- Open the widget detail view by clicking on the assistant’s card.
- The current mode is displayed at the bottom of the Tracking Code tab.
- To switch modes, delete the existing widget key and create a new one with the desired mode.
How the Mode Affects the Embed Code
The embed code snippet is slightly different depending on the mode: Chat & Voice:Recommendations by Business Type
Here are some general guidelines based on common business scenarios: Home service businesses (plumbing, HVAC, electrical): Use Chat & Voice. Many of your website visitors are homeowners who may want a quick text chat during the day or a voice conversation when they have a moment. Professional services (law firms, accounting, consulting): Use Chat mode. Visitors to professional service websites often prefer the privacy and formality of text communication. Restaurants, salons, and retail: Use Chat & Voice. Give visitors the flexibility to quickly type a question about hours or availability, or speak if they prefer. If you’re unsure: Start with Chat & Voice (the default). You can always narrow it down later based on how your visitors actually use it.Related Articles
- Widgets Overview — What widgets are and how they work.
- Creating a Widget — Step-by-step guide to creating your first widget.
- Installing and Customizing Your Widget — Customize appearance, behavior, and embed the code.

