Entry point

Entry points are surfaces where users can start conversations with Business Messages agents. Each entry point has a unique appearance and appears in a different place.

You can launch agents with the Non-local, Location, and Brand-managed entry point groups, each of which enables multiple entry points. Each entry point your agent supports increases your agent's visibility and drives more conversations for your agent.

You can tell which entry points started a conversation by checking the entryPoint value in messages your agent receives from users. (Entry point values you receive in messages are defined in the Business Messages API's EntryPoint.) Some entry points pass additional contextual information, such as a placeId identifier for a location.

Launching to an entry point group doesn't guarantee that your agent will be available at all potential entry points within that group.

Note: Entry point appearance and placement may differ from the following images.

Non-local entry points

The Non-local entry point group includes all entry points that don't rely on locations:

• Featured snippets
• Sitelinks

To enable non-local entry points, do the following:

1. Specify your agent's non-local information.

   Be sure to complete the information before you verify your agent. Some fields can't be edited after verification. See Update agent information for details.

2. Verify your agent.

   Business Messages approves your agent for various entry points based on the non-local information you specify.

3. Launch your agent.

   Note: To launch from featured snippets or sitelinks, your agent must support human representatives. This means your agent can't have a bot-only interaction type. Update the interaction type to include human representatives, and set their messaging availability so users know when they can chat with a human.

Featured snippets

Note: FEATURED_SNIPPETS is available on all major browsers on Desktop. For mobile, users can access FEATURED_SNIPPETS chat option using an Android device or Google Maps for iOS app on an iOS device.

The FEATURED_SNIPPETS entry point enables conversations with your agent when a user finds contact details through Search.

FEATURED_SNIPPETS supports Android and Desktop. Once enabled, FEATURED_SNIPPETS launches chat on both Android and Desktop.

Sitelinks

The SITELINKS entry point enables conversations with your agent when sitelinks appear in Search.

SITELINKS supports Android.

Location-based entry points

The Location entry point group encompasses entry points that rely on locations.

To enable location-based entry points,

1. Update your agent information.
2. Verify your agent.
3. Create one or more locations for your agent.
4. Verify your location.
5. Wait for Business Messages to automatically import, associate, and verify other locations associated with the verified location.
6. Launch your locations.

Maps

The MAPS entry point enables conversations with locations associated with your agent from the Maps app (Android, iOS).

Conversations from the MAPS entry point pass location data in the context object of user messages.

MAPS supports iOS and Android.

Placesheet

The PLACESHEET entry point enables conversations with locations associated with your agent when a user finds the location in Search.

PLACESHEET supports iOS (with the Maps app installed), Android and Desktop.

Local Pack

Beta: This feature is subject to change.

When a user's search results include multiple nearby locations, the LOCAL_PACK entry point displays a messaging button below the list of locations. Additionally, LOCAL_PACK enables messaging for a location when the location is closed and can't answer calls.

LOCAL_PACK supports iOS (with the Maps app installed) and Android.

Brand-managed entry points

Brand-managed entry points include entry points that appear on properties that the brand manages or owns. You can use brand-managed entry points without launching your agent to non-local or location-based entry points.

To enable brand-managed entry points,

1. Update your agent's non-local information.

   Be sure to complete the information before you verify your agent. Some fields can't be edited after verification. See Update agent information for details.

2. Verify your agent.

   Business Messages approves your agent for various entry points based on the non-local information you specify.

   Note: You need to specify all non-local data before you verify your agent. You can't edit it later.

URL

The URL entry point enables conversations from URLs in messages, links, or websites. See Start conversations from URLs.

URL supports Android.

Widget

The WEB_WIDGET entry point enables conversations from widgets you integrate with a website.

WEB_WIDGET supports Android.