Chatbot settings
Use Private Chatbots and Automatic Business Hours
When to hide a chatbot behind a password, how automatic live hours work, and how to avoid confusing customers.
Control public availability without losing track of the chatbot state.
Use private mode for limited audiences
Private chatbot mode is useful when the AI is for staff, partners, event guests, VIP customers, internal demos, or a limited campaign. Visitors need the password before the chatbot opens.
If the chatbot is for walk-in customers, tourists, or public marketing materials, public mode is usually better.
Use automatic hours when the chatbot should follow a schedule
The live setting controls whether the chatbot can be public. Automatic operating hours add a schedule on top of that, using the timezone selected by the owner.
This helps businesses that only want the AI live on certain days or during certain hours.
Keep the customer message simple
If the chatbot is unavailable, customers should understand why. Use clear wording such as This AI is not available right now, Please try again during operating hours, or This chatbot is private.
Do not make the customer guess whether the site is broken.
Quick checklist
- Private mode is used only when the audience is limited.
- The password is shared through a trusted channel.
- Automatic hours match the owner timezone.
- The public link is tested during open and closed hours.
- The unavailable message is easy to understand.