# Channels

> Deploy one agent to your website, WhatsApp, SMS, Instagram, Messenger, Slack, Outlook, and phone from the Deploy tab.

Source: https://docs.getlinkai.com/agents/channels

Channels are the places customers reach your agent: your website, WhatsApp, SMS, Instagram, Messenger, Slack, Outlook, and phone. Build one agent, then turn on the channels your customers already use.

## One agent, every channel

The agent keeps the same knowledge, instructions, and actions on every channel. It can use these on any channel:

- **Smart Forms**: Collect structured information in conversation
- **Web Search**: Search the web for real-time information
- **Orders**: Process product orders and payments
- **Calendar**: Book appointments and check availability
- **Smart Tickets**: Create support tickets for escalation
- **Smart Emails**: Send custom emails to customers
- **Integrations**: Tools like Shopify, Stripe Invoices, Google Calendar, and AviationStack

New actions and integrations work on every channel where the agent is deployed. You don't configure them per channel.

The agent adapts to each channel:

| Channel type | How the agent replies |
|--------------|-----------------------|
| **Chat** (Website, WhatsApp, SMS, Instagram, Messenger, Slack) | Rich content, formatting, and detailed answers |
| **Voice** | Concise, conversational replies made for speaking |

## Supported channels

| Channel | What it does | Setup guide |
|---------|--------------|-------------|
| **Website** | A chat widget on your site. Customers start a conversation without leaving the page. | [Embed](https://docs.getlinkai.com/agents/embed) |
| **WhatsApp** | Customers message your business on WhatsApp and the agent replies. | [WhatsApp](https://docs.getlinkai.com/integrations/whatsapp) |
| **SMS** | Customers reach you by text message. | [SMS](#sms) |
| **Instagram** | The agent answers Instagram Direct Messages. | [Meta](https://docs.getlinkai.com/integrations/meta) |
| **Messenger** | The agent answers messages to your Facebook Page. | [Meta](https://docs.getlinkai.com/integrations/meta) |
| **Voice (Phone)** | Customers call your business and the agent handles the conversation by voice. | [Phone Numbers & Calls](https://docs.getlinkai.com/products/phone) |
| **Slack** | Team members DM the bot, @mention it in channels, continue in threads, or use `/ally` from anywhere. | [Slack](https://docs.getlinkai.com/integrations/slack) |
| **Outlook** | The agent replies in an Outlook or Microsoft 365 mailbox. Threads appear in **Inbox** under the Outlook filter. | [Outlook](https://docs.getlinkai.com/integrations/outlook) |
| **Email (Gmail)** | The agent replies from your connected Gmail address. | [Gmail](https://docs.getlinkai.com/integrations/gmail) |
| **Page** | A public page where the agent answers visitors, no website needed. | [Pages](https://docs.getlinkai.com/products/pages) |
| **GoHighLevel** and **HubSpot** | The agent replies to conversations in your connected CRM account. | Connect it in **Integrations** first |
| **Link Mail** | The agent auto-replies from your workspace's Link Mail address when a thread is assigned to it. | Built in |

**Note:**
SMS and WhatsApp need a phone number on the agent's **Call** tab before you can turn them on. Instagram is in beta.

## Turn on a channel

### Open the Deploy tab

Open the agent from **My Agents** and go to the **Deploy** tab.

![Deploy tab](https://docs.getlinkai.com/screenshots/v2/agent-deploy.png)

### Turn on the channels you want

Toggle on each channel you want live.

### Finish the channel setup

Complete the setup for each channel you turned on. See the sections below.

## Channel setup

### Website

**Warning:**
Add your website domain to the allowed domains list before the widget will load. Use `*.domain.com` for all subdomains.

1. Add your domains in **Domain Security Settings**. This is required first.
2. Copy the embed code. It's only available after you add a domain.
3. Add the code to your website.
4. Customize the widget: colors, position, and more.
5. Configure the welcome message and behavior.
6. Brand the orb used for voice mode. The orb moves and responds to the sound of the voice.

See [Embed](https://docs.getlinkai.com/agents/embed) for every option, or [Embed quickstart](https://docs.getlinkai.com/getting-started/embed) for the short version.

### WhatsApp

- WhatsApp requires registration before use
- Connect your WhatsApp Business account
- Verify the phone number
- Configure messaging templates

See [WhatsApp](https://docs.getlinkai.com/integrations/whatsapp) for full instructions.

### SMS

SMS requires A2P 10DLC registration before use.

| Cost | Amount |
|------|--------|
| Registration | $41.00 to $65.00 one-time fee |
| Monthly fee | Up to $10/month |
| Phone number | Additional fee to purchase a number |

After registration, configure the phone number, messaging rules, and delivery settings.

### Instagram and Messenger

- Connect one Meta account per Link AI account
- Connect your Facebook Page
- Link your Facebook Page with your Instagram account
- Configure messaging settings

**Warning:**
You connect one Meta account per Link AI account. The Facebook Page must be linked to the Instagram account for the agent to be available on both Instagram and Messenger.

See [Meta](https://docs.getlinkai.com/integrations/meta) for full instructions.

### Voice

**Warning:**
Voice Mode must be on in the **Call** tab before any voice interaction reaches your agent, web voice or phone. When Voice Mode is off, no calls or voice interactions are processed.

Voice has two modes: web voice and phone.

| Plan | Voice Mode |
|------|------------|
| Free trial | Available for testing |
| Growth | Fully available |
| Scale | Fully available |

**Turn on Voice Mode**

### Open the Call tab

Open the agent and go to the **Call** tab.

### Turn on Voice Mode

Turn on the **Voice Mode** toggle.

### Configure voice settings

Pick a voice from over 50 premium and included voices. Set the greeting, response rate, silence timeout, and call timeout.

### Test it

Talk to the agent by voice to check it.

**Web voice**: Voice settings on the **Call** tab apply to web voice. Customers can use voice in the web widget.

**Phone**: Purchase a phone number (one-time purchase), then assign it to the agent on the **Call** tab. Place a test call to confirm the setup. The agent answers with the configured call settings.

![Call Tab](https://docs.getlinkai.com/screenshots/v2/agent-call.png)

See [Phone Numbers & Calls](https://docs.getlinkai.com/products/phone) for full instructions.

### Slack

Slack is connected from **Integrations**, not the **Deploy** tab.

### Connect Slack

Open **Integrations**, find **Slack**, and click **Connect**.

### Authorize Link AI

Authorize Link AI for your Slack workspace.

### Assign a responder

In the Slack tile, assign **Ally** or one of your custom agents as the responder.

### Use it in Slack

Invite the bot to channels where you want @mentions. Then DM the bot or use `/ally your question`.

Only one agent, Ally or a custom agent, answers per Slack connection. To switch, change the assignment in the Slack tile. The previous choice clears automatically. See [Slack](https://docs.getlinkai.com/integrations/slack).

### Outlook

### Connect Outlook

Open **Integrations**, find **Outlook**, and click **Connect**.

### Authorize the mailbox

Authorize the Microsoft mailbox.

### Turn it on for the agent

Open the agent, go to **Deploy**, and turn on **Outlook**.

### Pick the send-as address

Choose the send-as address if more than one is available.

**Note:**
Connecting Outlook only unlocks the channel for the workspace. The agent doesn't reply until Outlook is on in **Deploy**.

See [Outlook](https://docs.getlinkai.com/integrations/outlook) for full instructions.

## Human takeover

A person can take over any **Inbox** conversation. The agent pauses on that conversation so you can reply yourself, across chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, SMS, Outlook, and calls.

### Open the conversation

Open the conversation in **Inbox**.

### Take over

Click **Take over conversation**. The bar shows "You're talking as yourself. Agent is paused." while you're in control.

### Reply as yourself

Write and send as a person. For email, reply in the thread or start a new message with a subject.

### Hand it back

Click **Hand to Agent** when you want the agent to resume.

Takeover is per conversation. Other threads keep using the agent.

## One inbox for every channel

Every conversation, on every channel, lands in [Inbox](https://docs.getlinkai.com/products/inbox). Filter by channel to see where customers reach you most.

When customers switch channels, the agent keeps context from earlier conversations.

## Best practices

- **Turn on channels your customers use.** Start with your busiest channels and expand later. Don't turn on channels you can't support.
- **Set up each channel fully.** Follow each channel's setup steps. A half-configured channel gives customers a poor experience.
- **Test on every channel.** Confirm answers and actions work the same way on each one.
- **Watch channel performance.** Use [Analytics](https://docs.getlinkai.com/account/analytics) to see which channels get the most use.
- **Play to each channel's strengths.** Use rich content in chat, such as buttons, cards, and images. Keep voice replies short and conversational. Use channel features such as WhatsApp templates.

## Troubleshooting

**A channel isn't working**
1. Confirm the channel is on in the agent's **Deploy** tab.
2. Check that the channel's setup is complete.
3. Check the connection status for integrated channels.
4. Check error logs for specific issues.

**The agent behaves differently across channels**
1. Remember the agent adapts its style per channel, such as shorter replies on voice.
2. Check that channel-specific settings don't conflict.
3. Ask the same question on each channel and compare.
4. Review the **Instructions** for channel-specific rules.

**An integration isn't connecting**
1. Confirm the connection credentials are correct.
2. Check that the integration shows as connected.
3. Review the provider's documentation.
4. Test the integration on its own.

## Next steps

**[Embed](https://docs.getlinkai.com/agents/embed)**:
Put the chat widget on your website.

**[Phone Numbers & Calls](https://docs.getlinkai.com/products/phone)**:
Buy a number and let your agent answer calls.

**[Meta](https://docs.getlinkai.com/integrations/meta)**:
Connect Instagram and Messenger.

**[Inbox](https://docs.getlinkai.com/products/inbox)**:
See every conversation from every channel in one place.