RBM agents communicate with users by sending and receiving messages. To send messages to users, your agent sends message requests to the RCS Business Messaging API. A single request can include text, a rich card, an image, or a video as well as suggested replies and suggested actions.
If you send a message to a user who isn't reachable by RBM, such as if their
device doesn't support RCS, the RBM Platform returns a 404
error. In this
case, you can attempt to reach the user through fallback methods defined in your
infrastructure.
If you send a message to a user who is an RCS user on a network where
your agent is not yet launched, the RBM Platform returns a 403
error.
If you send a message that includes functionality that a user's device doesn't support, the RBM Platform returns an error and doesn't deliver your message.
The maximum size of a message is 250 KB.
Sending to an offline user
The RBM platform will still accept a message for delivery if the recipient is
currently offline. You will receive a 200
response and the RBM platform will
hold the message and attempt redelivery for 30 days. There is no need to ask RBM
to send the message again.
RBM will delete any undelivered messages 30 days after they were submitted.
Your agent use case will determine if you want RBM to hold the message for delivery when the user comes back online. For example, if you are sending an OTP, you will probably want to wait a short time and, if you have not received a delivery notification, revoke the message and send by another route (such as SMS) instead.
Read more about delivery notifications and our blog article discussing handling delivery to offline users.
Text
The simplest messages are made of text. Text messages are best suited to communicate information without the need for visuals, complex interaction, or response.
Example
The following code sends a simple text message. For formatting and value
options, see
phones.agentMessages.create
.
cURL
curl -X POST "https://REGION-rcsbusinessmessaging.googleapis.com/v1/phones/PHONE_NUMBER/agentMessages?messageId=MESSAGE_ID" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "User-Agent: curl/rcs-business-messaging" \ -H "`oauth2l header --json PATH_TO_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY rcsbusinessmessaging`" \ -d "{ 'contentMessage': { 'text': 'Hello, world!' } }"
Node.js
// Reference to RBM API helper const rbmApiHelper = require('../libs/rbm_api_helper'); let params = { messageText: 'Hello, world!', msisdn: '+12223334444', }; // Send a simple message to the device rbmApiHelper.sendMessage(params, function(response) { console.log(response); });This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Java
import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.RbmApiHelper; … try { // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(); // Send simple text message to user rbmApiHelper.sendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444" ); } catch(Exception e) { e.printStackTrace(); }This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Python
# Reference to RBM Python client helper and messaging object structure from rcs_business_messaging import rbm_service from rcs_business_messaging import messages # Create a simple RBM text message message_text = messages.TextMessage('Hello, world!') # Send text message to the device messages.MessageCluster().append_message(message_text).send_to_msisdn('+12223334444')This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
C#
using RCSBusinessMessaging; … // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(credentialsFileLocation, projectId); rbmApiHelper.SendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444", );This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Basic Message content - conversion of SMS
Carriers have introduced billing models to support the move of SMS messages to RBM. An RBM message containing up to 160 UTF-8 characters is termed a Basic Message.
When constructing a request to send a Basic Message, remember that characters are counted as 1 byte (UTF-8). If you send a message containing special characters such as emojis or a multi-byte character set, each character will be counted as 2 UTF-8 characters.
Enter some text below to check its length:
Media
When you send a message with an image or video, your agent must provide a publicly accessible URL for the content or directly upload the file binary. The RBM platform caches files for 60 days, and the API returns a file ID that your agent can include in messages to users. After 60 days, RBM removes files from the cache.
See the best practices for file size recommendations and limits.
File URL example
The following code sends an image. For formatting and value options, see
AgentContentMessage
.
cURL
curl -X POST "https://REGION-rcsbusinessmessaging.googleapis.com/v1/phones/PHONE_NUMBER/agentMessages?messageId=MESSAGE_ID" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "User-Agent: curl/rcs-business-messaging" \ -H "`oauth2l header --json PATH_TO_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY rcsbusinessmessaging`" \ -d "{ 'contentMessage': { 'contentInfo': { 'fileUrl': 'http://www.google.com/logos/doodles/2015/googles-new-logo-5078286822539264.3-hp2x.gif', 'forceRefresh': 'false' } } }"
Node.js
// Reference to RBM API helper const rbmApiHelper = require('../libs/rbm_api_helper'); let params = { fileUrl: 'http://www.google.com/logos/doodles/2015/googles-new-logo-5078286822539264.3-hp2x.gif', msisdn: '+12223334444', }; // Send an image/video to a device rbmApiHelper.sendMessage(params, function(response) { console.log(response); });This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Java
import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.AgentContentMessage; import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.AgentMessage; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.RbmApiHelper; … try { // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(); String fileUrl = "http://www.google.com/logos/doodles/2015/googles-new-logo-5078286822539264.3-hp2x.gif"; // create media only message AgentContentMessage agentContentMessage = new AgentContentMessage(); agentContentMessage.setContentInfo(new ContentInfo().setFileUrl(fileUrl)); // attach content to message AgentMessage agentMessage = new AgentMessage(); agentMessage.setContentMessage(agentContentMessage); rbmApiHelper.sendAgentMessage(agentMessage, "+12223334444"); } catch(Exception e) { e.printStackTrace(); }This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Python
# Reference to RBM Python client helper and messaging object structure from rcs_business_messaging import rbm_service from rcs_business_messaging import messages # Create media file attachment file_message = messages.FileMessage('http://www.google.com/logos/doodles/2015/googles-new-logo-5078286822539264.3-hp2x.gif') messages.MessageCluster().append_message(file_message).send_to_msisdn('+12223334444')This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
C#
using Google.Apis.RCSBusinessMessaging.v1.Data; using RCSBusinessMessaging; … // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(credentialsFileLocation, projectId); string fileUrl = "http://www.google.com/logos/doodles/2015/googles-new-logo-5078286822539264.3-hp2x.gif"; // Create content info with the file url ContentInfo contentInfo = new ContentInfo { FileUrl = fileUrl }; // Attach content info to a message AgentContentMessage agentContentMessage = new AgentContentMessage { ContentInfo = contentInfo, }; // Attach content to message AgentMessage agentMessage = new AgentMessage { ContentMessage = agentContentMessage }; rbmApiHelper.SendAgentMessage(agentMessage, "+12223334444");This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Alternatively, you can upload media prior to sending it in a message with
files.create
.
File binary example
The following code uploads a media file binary, then sends the media in a
message. For formatting and value options, see
files.create
and
AgentContentMessage
.
cURL
curl -X POST "https://REGION-rcsbusinessmessaging.googleapis.com/upload/v1/files" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "User-Agent: curl/rcs-business-messaging" \ -H "`oauth2l header --json PATH_TO_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY rcsbusinessmessaging`" \ --upload-file "FULL_PATH_TO_MEDIA_FILE"
# Capture server-specified file name from response body JSON
curl -X POST "https://REGION-rcsbusinessmessaging.googleapis.com/v1/phones/PHONE_NUMBER/agentMessages?messageId=MESSAGE_ID" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "User-Agent: curl/rcs-business-messaging" \ -H "`oauth2l header --json PATH_TO_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY rcsbusinessmessaging`" \ -d "{ 'contentMessage': { 'fileName': 'SERVER-SPECIFIED_FILE_NAME' } }"
Supported media types
RBM supports the following media content types:
- image/jpeg
- image/jpg
- image/gif
- image/png
- video/h263
- video/m4v
- video/mp4
- video/mpeg
- video/mpeg4
- video/webm
Suggested replies
Suggested replies guide users through conversations by providing responses that your agent knows how to react to. Your agent sends suggested replies in suggestion chip lists or in rich cards.
When a user taps a suggested reply, your agent receives an event that contains the reply's text and postback data.
Suggested replies have a maximum of 25 characters.
Example
The following code sends text with two suggested replies. For formatting and
value options, see
SuggestedReply
.
cURL
curl -X POST "https://REGION-rcsbusinessmessaging.googleapis.com/v1/phones/PHONE_NUMBER/agentMessages?messageId=MESSAGE_ID" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "User-Agent: curl/rcs-business-messaging" \ -H "`oauth2l header --json PATH_TO_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY rcsbusinessmessaging`" \ -d "{ 'contentMessage': { 'text': 'Hello, world!', 'suggestions': [ { 'reply': { 'text': 'Suggestion #1', 'postbackData': 'suggestion_1' } }, { 'reply': { 'text': 'Suggestion #2', 'postbackData': 'suggestion_2' } } ] } }"
Node.js
// Reference to RBM API helper const rbmApiHelper = require('../libs/rbm_api_helper'); let suggestions = [ { reply: { 'text': 'Suggestion #1', 'postbackData': 'suggestion_1', }, }, { reply: { 'text': 'Suggestion #2', 'postbackData': 'suggestion_2', }, }, ]; let params = { messageText: 'Hello, world!', msisdn: '+12223334444', suggestions: suggestions, }; // Send a simple message with suggestion chips to the device rbmApiHelper.sendMessage(params, function(response) { console.log(response); });This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Java
import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.Suggestion; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.RbmApiHelper; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.SuggestionHelper; … try { // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(); // Create suggestions for chip list List<Suggestion> suggestions = new ArrayList<Suggestion>(); suggestions.add( new SuggestionHelper("Suggestion #1", "suggestion_1").getSuggestedReply()); suggestions.add( new SuggestionHelper("Suggestion #2", "suggestion_2").getSuggestedReply()); // Send simple text message to user rbmApiHelper.sendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444", suggestions ); } catch(Exception e) { e.printStackTrace(); }This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Python
# Reference to RBM Python client helper and messaging object structure from rcs_business_messaging import rbm_service from rcs_business_messaging import messages # Create text message to send to user text_msg = messages.TextMessage('Hello, world!') cluster = messages.MessageCluster().append_message(text_msg) # Append suggested replies for the message to send to the user cluster.append_suggestion_chip(messages.SuggestedReply('Suggestion #1', 'reply:suggestion_1')) cluster.append_suggestion_chip(messages.SuggestedReply('Suggestion #2', 'reply:suggestion_2')) # Send a simple message with suggestion chips to the device cluster.send_to_msisdn('+12223334444')This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
C#
using Google.Apis.RCSBusinessMessaging.v1.Data; using RCSBusinessMessaging; … // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(credentialsFileLocation, projectId); List<Suggestion> suggestions = new List<Suggestion> { // Create suggestion chips new SuggestionHelper("Suggestion #1", "suggestion_1").SuggestedReply(), new SuggestionHelper("Suggestion #2", "suggestion_2").SuggestedReply() }; // Send simple text message with suggestions to user rbmApiHelper.SendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444", suggestions );This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Suggested actions
Suggested actions guide users through conversations by leaveraging the native functionality of the their devices. Your agent can suggest that users dial a number, open a location on a map, share a location, open a URL, or create a calendar event. Your agent sends suggested actions in suggestion chip lists or in rich cards.
When a user taps a suggested action, your agent receives an event that contains the action's postback data.
Suggested actions have a maximum of 25 characters.
For formatting and value options, see
SuggestedAction
.
Dial a number
The Dial action guides the user to dial a phone number that your agent
specifies. Phone numbers need to include a leading +
, the country code, and
the area code but shouldn't include separators. For example, +14155555555
.
Example
The following code sends a dial action. For formatting and value options, see
DialAction
.
cURL
curl -X POST "https://REGION-rcsbusinessmessaging.googleapis.com/v1/phones/PHONE_NUMBER/agentMessages?messageId=MESSAGE_ID" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "User-Agent: curl/rcs-business-messaging" \ -H "`oauth2l header --json PATH_TO_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY rcsbusinessmessaging`" \ -d "{ 'contentMessage': { 'text': 'Hello, world!', 'suggestions': [ { 'action': { 'text': 'Call', 'postbackData': 'postback_data_1234', 'fallbackUrl': 'https://www.google.com/contact/', 'dialAction': { 'phoneNumber': '+15556667777' } } } ] } }"
Node.js
// Reference to RBM API helper const rbmApiHelper = require('../libs/rbm_api_helper'); // Define a dial suggested action let suggestions = [ { action: { text: 'Call', postbackData: 'postback_data_1234', dialAction: { phoneNumber: '+15556667777' } } }, ]; let params = { messageText: 'Hello, world!', msisdn: '+12223334444', suggestions: suggestions, }; // Send a simple message with a dial suggested action rbmApiHelper.sendMessage(params, function(response) { console.log(response); });This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Java
import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.DialAction; import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.SuggestedAction; import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.Suggestion; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.RbmApiHelper; … try { // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(); // Create suggestions for chip list List<Suggestion> suggestions = new ArrayList<Suggestion>(); // creating a dial suggested action DialAction dialAction = new DialAction(); dialAction.setPhoneNumber("+15556667777"); // creating a suggested action based on a dial action SuggestedAction suggestedAction = new SuggestedAction(); suggestedAction.setText("Call"); suggestedAction.setPostbackData("postback_data_1234"); suggestedAction.setDialAction(dialAction); // attaching action to a suggestion Suggestion suggestion = new Suggestion(); suggestion.setAction(suggestedAction); suggestions.add(suggestion); // Send simple text message with the suggestion action rbmApiHelper.sendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444", suggestions ); } catch(Exception e) { e.printStackTrace(); }This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Python
# Reference to RBM Python client helper and messaging object structure from rcs_business_messaging import rbm_service from rcs_business_messaging import messages # Create a dial suggested action suggestions = [ messages.DialAction('Call', 'reply:postback_data_1234', '+15556667777') ] # Create text message to send to user text_msg = messages.TextMessage('Hello, world!') cluster = messages.MessageCluster().append_message(text_msg) # Append suggestions for the message to send to the user for suggestion in suggestions: cluster.append_suggestion_chip(suggestion) # Send a simple message with suggested action to the device cluster.send_to_msisdn('+12223334444')This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
C#
using Google.Apis.RCSBusinessMessaging.v1.Data; using RCSBusinessMessaging; … // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(credentialsFileLocation, projectId); // Create a dial an agent suggested action DialAction dialAction = new DialAction { PhoneNumber = "+15556667777" }; // Creating a suggested action based on a dial action SuggestedAction suggestedAction = new SuggestedAction { Text = "Call", PostbackData = "postback_data_1234", DialAction = dialAction }; // Attach action to a suggestion Suggestion suggestion = new Suggestion { Action = suggestedAction }; List<Suggestion> suggestions = new List<Suggestion> { suggestion }; rbmApiHelper.SendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444", suggestions );This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
View a location
The View location action displays a location in the user's default map app. You can specify the location either by latitude and longitude or with a query based on the user's current location. You can also set a custom label for the pin that displays in the map app.
Example
The following code sends a view location action. For formatting and value
options, see
ViewLocationAction
.
cURL
curl -X POST "https://REGION-rcsbusinessmessaging.googleapis.com/v1/phones/PHONE_NUMBER/agentMessages?messageId=MESSAGE_ID" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "User-Agent: curl/rcs-business-messaging" \ -H "`oauth2l header --json PATH_TO_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY rcsbusinessmessaging`" \ -d "{ 'contentMessage': { 'text': 'Hello, world!', 'suggestions': [ { 'action': { 'text': 'View map', 'postbackData': 'postback_data_1234', 'fallbackUrl': 'https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4220188,-122.0844786,15z', 'viewLocationAction': { 'latLong': { 'latitude': "37.4220188', 'longitude': "-122.0844786' }, 'label': 'Googleplex' } } } ] } }"
Node.js
// Reference to RBM API helper const rbmApiHelper = require('../libs/rbm_api_helper'); // Define a view location suggested action let suggestions = [ { action: { text: 'View map', postbackData: 'postback_data_1234', viewLocationAction: { latLong: { latitude: 37.4220188, longitude: -122.0844786 }, label: 'Googleplex' } } }, ]; let params = { messageText: 'Hello, world!', msisdn: '+12223334444', suggestions: suggestions, }; // Send a simple message with a view location suggested action rbmApiHelper.sendMessage(params, function(response) { console.log(response); });This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Java
import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.ViewLocationAction; import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.SuggestedAction; import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.Suggestion; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.RbmApiHelper; … try { // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(); // Create suggestions for chip list List<Suggestion> suggestions = new ArrayList<Suggestion>(); // creating a view location suggested action ViewLocationAction viewLocationAction = new ViewLocationAction(); viewLocationAction.setQuery("Googleplex, Mountain View, CA"); // creating a suggested action based on a view location action SuggestedAction suggestedAction = new SuggestedAction(); suggestedAction.setText("View map"); suggestedAction.setPostbackData("postback_data_1234"); suggestedAction.setViewLocationAction(viewLocationAction); // attaching action to a suggestion Suggestion suggestion = new Suggestion(); suggestion.setAction(suggestedAction); suggestions.add(suggestion); // Send simple text message with the suggestion action rbmApiHelper.sendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444", suggestions ); } catch(Exception e) { e.printStackTrace(); }This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Python
# Reference to RBM Python client helper and messaging object structure from rcs_business_messaging import rbm_service from rcs_business_messaging import messages # Create a view location suggested action suggestions = [ messages.ViewLocationAction('View map', 'reply:postback_data_1234', query='Googleplex, Mountain View, CA') ] # Create text message to send to user text_msg = messages.TextMessage('Hello, world!') cluster = messages.MessageCluster().append_message(text_msg) # Append suggestions for the message to send to the user for suggestion in suggestions: cluster.append_suggestion_chip(suggestion) # Send a simple message with suggested action to the device cluster.send_to_msisdn('+12223334444')This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
C#
using Google.Apis.RCSBusinessMessaging.v1.Data; using RCSBusinessMessaging; … // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(credentialsFileLocation, projectId); // create an view location action ViewLocationAction viewLocationAction = new ViewLocationAction { Query = "Googleplex Mountain View, CA" }; // Attach the view location action to a suggested action SuggestedAction suggestedAction = new SuggestedAction { ViewLocationAction = viewLocationAction, Text = "View map", PostbackData = "postback_data_1234" }; // Attach the action to a suggestion object Suggestion suggestion = new Suggestion { Action = suggestedAction }; List<Suggestion> suggestions = new List<Suggestion> { suggestion }; rbmApiHelper.SendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444", suggestions );This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Share a location
The Share location action lets the user send a location to your agent. The location the user specifies is not necessarily the user's location.
Example
The following code sends a share location action. For formatting and value
options, see
ShareLocationAction
.
cURL
curl -X POST "https://REGION-rcsbusinessmessaging.googleapis.com/v1/phones/PHONE_NUMBER/agentMessages?messageId=MESSAGE_ID" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "User-Agent: curl/rcs-business-messaging" \ -H "`oauth2l header --json PATH_TO_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY rcsbusinessmessaging`" \ -d "{ 'contentMessage': { 'text': 'Hello, world!', 'suggestions': [ { 'action': { 'text': 'Share your location', 'postbackData': 'postback_data_1234', 'shareLocationAction': {} } } ] } }"
Node.js
// Reference to RBM API helper const rbmApiHelper = require('../libs/rbm_api_helper'); // Define a share location suggested action let suggestions = [ { action: { text: 'Share your location', postbackData: 'postback_data_1234', shareLocationAction: { } } }, ]; let params = { messageText: 'Hello, world!', msisdn: '+12223334444', suggestions: suggestions, }; // Send a simple message with a share location suggested action rbmApiHelper.sendMessage(params, function(response) { console.log(response); });This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Java
import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.ShareLocationAction; import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.SuggestedAction; import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.Suggestion; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.RbmApiHelper; … try { // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(); // Create suggestions for chip list List<Suggestion> suggestions = new ArrayList<Suggestion>(); // creating a share location suggested action ShareLocationAction shareLocationAction = new ShareLocationAction(); // creating a suggested action based on a share location action SuggestedAction suggestedAction = new SuggestedAction(); suggestedAction.setText("Share location"); suggestedAction.setPostbackData("postback_data_1234"); suggestedAction.setShareLocationAction(shareLocationAction); // attaching action to a suggestion Suggestion suggestion = new Suggestion(); suggestion.setAction(suggestedAction); suggestions.add(suggestion); // Send simple text message with the suggestion action rbmApiHelper.sendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444", suggestions ); } catch(Exception e) { e.printStackTrace(); }This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Python
# Reference to RBM Python client helper and messaging object structure from rcs_business_messaging import rbm_service from rcs_business_messaging import messages # Create a share location suggested action suggestions = [ messages.ShareLocationAction('Share location', 'reply:postback_data_1234') ] # Create text message to send to user text_msg = messages.TextMessage('Hello, world!') cluster = messages.MessageCluster().append_message(text_msg) # Append suggestions for the message to send to the user for suggestion in suggestions: cluster.append_suggestion_chip(suggestion) # Send a simple message with suggested action to the device cluster.send_to_msisdn('+12223334444')This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
C#
using Google.Apis.RCSBusinessMessaging.v1.Data; using RCSBusinessMessaging; … // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(credentialsFileLocation, projectId); // Create a share location action ShareLocationAction shareLocationAction = new ShareLocationAction(); // Attach the share location action to a suggested action SuggestedAction suggestedAction = new SuggestedAction { ShareLocationAction = shareLocationAction, Text = "Share location", PostbackData = "postback_data_1234" }; // Attach the action to a suggestion object Suggestion suggestion = new Suggestion { Action = suggestedAction }; List<Suggestion> suggestions = new List<Suggestion> { suggestion }; rbmApiHelper.SendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444", suggestions );This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Open a URL
The Open URL action opens the user's web browser to the specified URL. If an app is registered as a default handler for the URL, the app opens instead, and the icon for the action is the app's icon.
Example
The following code sends an open URL action. For formatting and value options,
see
OpenUrlAction
.
cURL
curl -X POST "https://REGION-rcsbusinessmessaging.googleapis.com/v1/phones/PHONE_NUMBER/agentMessages?messageId=MESSAGE_ID" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "User-Agent: curl/rcs-business-messaging" \ -H "`oauth2l header --json PATH_TO_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY rcsbusinessmessaging`" \ -d "{ 'contentMessage': { 'text': 'Hello, world!', 'suggestions': [ { 'action': { 'text': 'Open Google', 'postbackData': 'postback_data_1234', 'openUrlAction': { 'url': 'https://www.google.com' } } } ] } }"
Node.js
// Reference to RBM API helper const rbmApiHelper = require('../libs/rbm_api_helper'); // Define an open URL suggested action let suggestions = [ { action: { text: 'Open Google', postbackData: 'postback_data_1234', openUrlAction: { url: 'https://www.google.com' } } }, ]; let params = { messageText: 'Hello, world!', msisdn: '+12223334444', suggestions: suggestions, }; // Send a simple message with an open URL suggested action rbmApiHelper.sendMessage(params, function(response) { console.log(response); });This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Java
import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.OpenUrlAction; import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.SuggestedAction; import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.Suggestion; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.RbmApiHelper; … try { // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(); // Create suggestions for chip list List<Suggestion> suggestions = new ArrayList<Suggestion>(); // creating an open url suggested action OpenUrlAction openUrlAction = new OpenUrlAction(); openUrlAction.setUrl("https://www.google.com"); // creating a suggested action based on an open url action SuggestedAction suggestedAction = new SuggestedAction(); suggestedAction.setText("Open Google"); suggestedAction.setPostbackData("postback_data_1234"); suggestedAction.setOpenUrlAction(openUrlAction); // attaching action to a suggestion Suggestion suggestion = new Suggestion(); suggestion.setAction(suggestedAction); suggestions.add(suggestion); // Send simple text message with the suggestion action rbmApiHelper.sendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444", suggestions ); } catch(Exception e) { e.printStackTrace(); }This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Python
# Reference to RBM Python client helper and messaging object structure from rcs_business_messaging import rbm_service from rcs_business_messaging import messages # Create an open url suggested action suggestions = [ messages.OpenUrlAction('Open Google', 'reply:postback_data_1234', 'https://www.google.com') ] # Create text message to send to user text_msg = messages.TextMessage('Hello, world!') cluster = messages.MessageCluster().append_message(text_msg) # Append suggestions for the message to send to the user for suggestion in suggestions: cluster.append_suggestion_chip(suggestion) # Send a simple message with suggested action to the device cluster.send_to_msisdn('+12223334444')This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
C#
using Google.Apis.RCSBusinessMessaging.v1.Data; using RCSBusinessMessaging; … // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(credentialsFileLocation, projectId); // Create an open url action OpenUrlAction openUrlAction = new OpenUrlAction { Url = "https://www.google.com" }; // Attach the open url action to a suggested action SuggestedAction suggestedAction = new SuggestedAction { OpenUrlAction = openUrlAction, Text = "Open Google", PostbackData = "postback_data_1234" }; // Attach the action to a suggestion object Suggestion suggestion = new Suggestion { Action = suggestedAction }; List<Suggestion> suggestions = new List<Suggestion> { suggestion }; rbmApiHelper.SendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444", suggestions );This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Create a calendar event
The Create calendar event action opens the user's calendar app and begins to create a new event with the specified information.
Example
The following code sends a create calendar event action. For formatting and
value options, see
CreateCalendarEventAction
.
cURL
curl -X POST "https://REGION-rcsbusinessmessaging.googleapis.com/v1/phones/PHONE_NUMBER/agentMessages?messageId=MESSAGE_ID" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "User-Agent: curl/rcs-business-messaging" \ -H "`oauth2l header --json PATH_TO_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY rcsbusinessmessaging`" \ -d "{ 'contentMessage': { 'text': 'Hello, world!', 'suggestions': [ { 'action': { 'text': 'Save to calendar', 'postbackData': 'postback_data_1234', 'fallbackUrl': 'https://www.google.com/calendar', 'createCalendarEventAction': { 'startTime': '2020-06-30T19:00:00Z', 'endTime': '2020-06-30T20:00:00Z', 'title': 'My calendar event', 'description': 'Description of the calendar event' } } } ] } }"
Node.js
// Reference to RBM API helper const rbmApiHelper = require('../libs/rbm_api_helper'); // Define a create calendar event suggested action let suggestions = [ { action: { text: 'Save to calendar', postbackData: 'postback_data_1234', createCalendarEventAction: { startTime: '2020-06-30T19:00:00Z', endTime: '2020-06-30T20:00:00Z', title: 'My calendar event', description: 'Description of the calendar event', }, } }, ]; let params = { messageText: 'Hello, world!', msisdn: '+12223334444', suggestions: suggestions, }; // Send a simple message with a create calendar event suggested action rbmApiHelper.sendMessage(params, function(response) { console.log(response); });This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Java
import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.CreateCalendarEventAction; import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.SuggestedAction; import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.Suggestion; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.RbmApiHelper; … try { // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(); // Create suggestions for chip list List<Suggestion> suggestions = new ArrayList<Suggestion>(); // creating a create calendar event suggested action CreateCalendarEventAction createCalendarEventAction = new CreateCalendarEventAction(); calendarEventAction.setTitle("My calendar event"); calendarEventAction.setDescription("Description of the calendar event"); calendarEventAction.setStartTime("2020-06-30T19:00:00Z"); calendarEventAction.setEndTime("2020-06-30T20:00:00Z"); // creating a suggested action based on a create calendar event action SuggestedAction suggestedAction = new SuggestedAction(); suggestedAction.setText("Save to calendar"); suggestedAction.setPostbackData("postback_data_1234"); suggestedAction.setCreateCalendarEventAction(createCalendarEventAction); // attaching action to a suggestion Suggestion suggestion = new Suggestion(); suggestion.setAction(suggestedAction); suggestions.add(suggestion); // Send simple text message with the suggestion action rbmApiHelper.sendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444", suggestions ); } catch(Exception e) { e.printStackTrace(); }This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Python
# Reference to RBM Python client helper and messaging object structure from rcs_business_messaging import rbm_service from rcs_business_messaging import messages # Create a calendar event suggested action suggestions = [ messages.CreateCalendarEventAction('Save to Calendar', 'reply:postback_data_1234', '2020-06-30T19:00:00Z', '2020-06-30T20:00:00Z', 'My calendar event', 'Description of the calendar event') ] # Create text message to send to user text_msg = messages.TextMessage('Hello, world!') cluster = messages.MessageCluster().append_message(text_msg) # Append suggestions for the message to send to the user for suggestion in suggestions: cluster.append_suggestion_chip(suggestion) # Send a simple message with suggested action to the device cluster.send_to_msisdn('+12223334444')This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
C#
using Google.Apis.RCSBusinessMessaging.v1.Data; using RCSBusinessMessaging; … // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(credentialsFileLocation, projectId); // Create a calendar event action CreateCalendarEventAction calendarEventAction = new CreateCalendarEventAction { Title = "My calendar event", Description = "Description of the calendar event", StartTime = "2020-06-30T19:00:00Z", EndTime = "2020-06-30T20:00:00Z" }; // Attach the calendar event action to a suggested action SuggestedAction suggestedAction = new SuggestedAction { CreateCalendarEventAction = calendarEventAction, Text = "Save to calendar", PostbackData = "postback_data_1234" }; // Attach the action to a suggestion object Suggestion suggestion = new Suggestion { Action = suggestedAction }; List<Suggestion> suggestions = new List<Suggestion> { suggestion }; rbmApiHelper.SendTextMessage( "Hello, world!", "+12223334444", suggestions );This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Suggestion chip list
Your agent sends suggestion chip lists with messages to guide users' subsequent actions. The chip list only displays when the associated message is at the bottom of the conversation. Any subsequent messages in the conversation (from either a user or your agent) overwrite the chip list.
The chips in the list are suggested replies and suggested actions.
Chip lists contain a maximum of 11 suggestion chips, and each chip label can have a maximum of 25 characters.
For formatting and value options, see
AgentContentMessage
.
Rich cards
When you need to send a chunk of related information, media, or suggestions, you should send a rich card. Rich cards allow your agent to send multiple units of information in a single message.
Rich cards can contain the following items:
- Image/video
- Title text
- Description text
- A list of suggested replies and suggested actions (maximum 4)
A rich card can contain any or all of the listed items, but a card must contain at least an image, video, or title to be valid. A rich card can contain a maximum of four suggested actions and suggested replies.
Your agent can send multiple rich cards together in a rich card carousel.
Card height
Cards expand vertically to fit their contents. Rich cards have a minimum height of 112 DP and a maximum height of 344 DP. If the contents of a card are not large enough to fill the minimum card height, the card expands and fills the extra height with white space.
Media in rich cards must fit one of three heights:
- Short: 112 DP
- Medium: 168 DP
- Tall: 264 DP
If the media doesn't fit the dimensions within the card given the selected height, the media preview is chosen by zooming and cropping the media.
Example
The following code sends a rich card with an image and suggested
replies. For formatting and value options, see
RichCard
.
cURL
curl -X POST "https://REGION-rcsbusinessmessaging.googleapis.com/v1/phones/PHONE_NUMBER/agentMessages?messageId=MESSAGE_ID" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "User-Agent: curl/rcs-business-messaging" \ -H "`oauth2l header --json PATH_TO_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY rcsbusinessmessaging`" \ -d "{ 'contentMessage': { 'richCard': { 'standaloneCard': { 'thumbnailImageAlignment': 'RIGHT', 'cardOrientation': 'VERTICAL', 'cardContent': { 'title': 'Hello, world!', 'description': 'RBM is awesome!', 'media': { 'height': 'TALL', 'contentInfo':{ 'fileUrl': 'http://www.google.com/logos/doodles/2015/googles-new-logo-5078286822539264.3-hp2x.gif', 'forceRefresh': 'false' } }, 'suggestions': [ { 'reply': { 'text': 'Suggestion #1', 'postbackData': 'suggestion_1' } }, { 'reply': { 'text': 'Suggestion #2', 'postbackData': 'suggestion_2' } } ] } } } } }"
Node.js
// Reference to RBM API helper const rbmApiHelper = require('../libs/rbm_api_helper'); // Suggested replies to be used in the card let suggestions = [ { reply: { 'text': 'Suggestion #1', 'postbackData': 'suggestion_1', }, }, { reply: { 'text': 'Suggestion #2', 'postbackData': 'suggestion_2', }, }, ]; // Image to be displayed by the card let imageUrl = 'http://www.google.com/logos/doodles/2015/googles-new-logo-5078286822539264.3-hp2x.gif'; // Definition of the card parameters let params = { messageText: 'Hello, world!', messageDescription: 'RBM is awesome!', msisdn: '+12223334444', suggestions: suggestions, imageUrl: imageUrl, height: 'TALL', }; // Send rich card to device rbmApiHelper.sendRichCard(params, function(response) { console.log(response); });This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Java
import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.StandaloneCard; import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.Suggestion; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.cards.CardOrientation; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.cards.MediaHeight; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.RbmApiHelper; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.SuggestionHelper; … try { // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(); // Create suggestions for chip list List<Suggestion> suggestions = new ArrayList<Suggestion>(); suggestions.add( new SuggestionHelper("Suggestion #1", "suggestion_1").getSuggestedReply()); suggestions.add( new SuggestionHelper("Suggestion #2", "suggestion_2").getSuggestedReply()); String imageUrl = "http://www.google.com/logos/doodles/2015/googles-new-logo-5078286822539264.3-hp2x.gif"; // Create a standalone rich card to send to the user StandaloneCard standaloneCard = rbmApiHelper.createStandaloneCard( "Hello, world!", "RBM is awesome!", imageUrl, MediaHeight.MEDIUM, CardOrientation.VERTICAL, suggestions ); rbmApiHelper.sendStandaloneCard(standaloneCard, "+12223334444"); } catch(Exception e) { e.printStackTrace(); }This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Python
# Reference to RBM Python client helper and messaging object structure from rcs_business_messaging import rbm_service from rcs_business_messaging import messages # Suggested replies to be used in the card suggestions = [ messages.SuggestedReply('Suggestion #1', 'reply:suggestion_1'), messages.SuggestedReply('Suggestion #2', 'reply:suggestion_2') ] # Image to be displayed by the card image_url = 'http://www.google.com/logos/doodles/2015/googles-new-logo-5078286822539264.3-hp2x.gif'; # Define rich card structure rich_card = messages.StandaloneCard('VERTICAL', 'Hello, world!', 'RBM is awesome!', suggestions, image_url, None, None, 'MEDIUM') # Append rich card and send to the user cluster = messages.MessageCluster().append_message(rich_card) cluster.send_to_msisdn('+12223334444')This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
C#
using Google.Apis.RCSBusinessMessaging.v1.Data; using RCSBusinessMessaging; using RCSBusinessMessaging.Cards; … // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(credentialsFileLocation, projectId); List<Suggestion> suggestions = new List<Suggestion> { // Create suggestion chips new SuggestionHelper("Suggestion #1", "suggestion_1").SuggestedReply(), new SuggestionHelper("Suggestion #2", "suggestion_2").SuggestedReply() }; string imageUrl = "http://www.google.com/logos/doodles/2015/googles-new-logo-5078286822539264.3-hp2x.gif"; // Create rich card with suggestions StandaloneCard standaloneCard = rbmApiHelper.CreateStandaloneCard( "Hello, world!", "RBM is awesome", imageUrl, MediaHeight.TALL, CardOrientation.VERTICAL, suggestions ); // Send rich card to user rbmApiHelper.SendStandaloneCard(standaloneCard, "+12223334444");This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Rich card carousels
When you need to present a user with multiple options to choose between, use a rich card carousel. Carousels string together multiple rich cards, allowing users to compare items and react to each individually.
Carousels may contain a minimum of two and a maximum of ten rich cards. Rich cards within carousels must conform to general rich card requirements for content and height.
Truncation
Much like rich cards, many factors (such as screen resolution, pixel density, and user preferences) affect how cards appear to end users. In a carousel, however, the height of the first few cards defines the height of all the cards in the carousel, and card height affects title, description, and suggestion truncation.
If a device can't display all elements of a card because of display constraints or card height, RBM truncates the card until it can display on the device, using the following logic:
- Reduce the description to one line.
- Reduce the title to one line.
- Omit suggestions that don't fit in the card, starting from the end of the defined list.
- Omit the description.
- Omit the title.
To avoid truncation, keep titles and descriptions as short as possible. For tall media, use either a title and description or one suggestion. For medium media, use up to two suggestions. For short media, use up to three suggestions. To fit four suggestions, don't include media in the card.
Keep cards roughly equivalent in terms of content sizing and length, and if necessary, front-load the carousel with larger cards to avoid truncation in following cards.
Example
The following code sends a rich card carousel. For formatting and value options,
see
RichCard
.
cURL
curl -X POST "https://REGION-rcsbusinessmessaging.googleapis.com/v1/phones/PHONE_NUMBER/agentMessages?messageId=MESSAGE_ID" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "User-Agent: curl/rcs-business-messaging" \ -H "`oauth2l header --json PATH_TO_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY rcsbusinessmessaging`" \ -d "{ 'contentMessage': { 'richCard': { 'carouselCard': { 'cardWidth':'MEDIUM', 'cardContents': [ { 'title':'Card #1', 'description':'The description for card #1', 'suggestions': [ { 'reply': { 'text':'Card #1', 'postbackData':'card_1' } } ], 'media': { 'height':'MEDIUM', 'contentInfo': { 'fileUrl':'https://storage.googleapis.com/kitchen-sink-sample-images/cute-dog.jpg', 'forceRefresh':'false' } } }, { 'title':'Card #2', 'description':'The description for card #2', 'suggestions': [ { 'reply': { 'text':'Card #2', 'postbackData':'card_2' } } ], 'media': { 'height':'MEDIUM', 'contentInfo': { 'fileUrl':'https://storage.googleapis.com/kitchen-sink-sample-images/elephant.jpg', 'forceRefresh': 'false' } } } ] } } } }"
Node.js
// Reference to RBM API helper const rbmApiHelper = require('../libs/rbm_api_helper'); // Images for the carousel cards let card1Image = 'https://storage.googleapis.com/kitchen-sink-sample-images/cute-dog.jpg'; let card2Image = 'https://storage.googleapis.com/kitchen-sink-sample-images/elephant.jpg'; // Define the card contents for a carousel with two cards, each with one suggested reply let cardContents = [ { title: 'Card #1', description: 'The description for card #1', suggestions: [ { reply: { text: 'Card #1', postbackData: 'card_1', } } ], media: { height: 'MEDIUM', contentInfo: { fileUrl: card1Image, forceRefresh: false, }, }, }, { title: 'Card #2', description: 'The description for card #2', suggestions: [ { reply: { text: 'Card #2', postbackData: 'card_2', } } ], media: { height: 'MEDIUM', contentInfo: { fileUrl: card2Image, forceRefresh: false, }, }, }, ]; // Definition of carousel card let params = { msisdn: '+12223334444', cardContents: cardContents, }; // Send the device the carousel card defined above rbmApiHelper.sendCarouselCard(params, function(response) { console.log(response); });This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Java
import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.CardContent; import com.google.api.services.rcsbusinessmessaging.v1.model.Suggestion; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.cards.CardOrientation; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.cards.CardWidth; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.cards.MediaHeight; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.RbmApiHelper; import com.google.rbm.samples.lib.SuggestionHelper; … try { // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(); List cardContents = new ArrayList(); // Images for the carousel cards String card1Image = "https://storage.googleapis.com/kitchen-sink-sample-images/cute-dog.jpg"; // Create suggestions for first carousel card List card1Suggestions = new ArrayList(); card1Suggestions.add( new SuggestionHelper("Card #1", "card_1")); cardContents.add( new StandaloneCardHelper( "Card #1", "The description for card #1", card1Image, card1Suggestions) .getCardContent(MediaHeight.SHORT) ); // Images for the carousel cards String card2Image = "https://storage.googleapis.com/kitchen-sink-sample-images/elephant.jpg"; // Create suggestions for second carousel card List card2Suggestions = new ArrayList(); card2Suggestions.add( new SuggestionHelper("Card #2", "card_2")); cardContents.add( new StandaloneCardHelper( "Card #2", "The description for card #2", card2Image, card2Suggestions) .getCardContent(MediaHeight.SHORT) ); // Send the carousel to the user rbmApiHelper.sendCarouselCards(cardContents, CardWidth.MEDIUM, "+12223334444"); } catch(Exception e) { e.printStackTrace(); }This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
Python
# Reference to RBM Python client helper and messaging object structure from rcs_business_messaging import rbm_service from rcs_business_messaging import messages # Images for the carousel cards card_image_1 = 'https://storage.googleapis.com/kitchen-sink-sample-images/cute-dog.jpg'; card_image_2 = 'https://storage.googleapis.com/kitchen-sink-sample-images/elephant.jpg'; # Suggested replies to be used in the cards suggestions1 = [ messages.SuggestedReply('Card #1', 'reply:card_1') ] suggestions2 = [ messages.SuggestedReply('Card #2', 'reply:card_2') ] # Define the card contents for a carousel with two cards, # each with one suggested reply card_contents = [] card_contents.append(messages.CardContent('Card #1', 'The description for card #1', card_image_1, 'MEDIUM', suggestions1)) card_contents.append(messages.CardContent('Card #2', 'The description for card #2', card_image_2, 'MEDIUM', suggestions2)) # Send the device the carousel card defined above carousel_card = messages.CarouselCard('MEDIUM', card_contents) cluster = messages.MessageCluster().append_message(carousel_card) cluster.send_to_msisdn('+12223334444')This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.
C#
using Google.Apis.RCSBusinessMessaging.v1.Data; using RCSBusinessMessaging; using RCSBusinessMessaging.Cards; … // Create an instance of the RBM API helper RbmApiHelper rbmApiHelper = new RbmApiHelper(credentialsFileLocation, projectId); // Image references to be used in the carousel cards string card1Image = "https://storage.googleapis.com/kitchen-sink-sample-images/cute-dog.jpg"; string card2Image = "https://storage.googleapis.com/kitchen-sink-sample-images/elephant.jpg"; // Suggestion chip lists to be used in carousel cards List<Suggestion> suggestions1 = new List<Suggestion> { new SuggestionHelper("Card #1", "card_1").SuggestedReply() }; List<Suggestion> suggestions2 = new List<Suggestion> { new SuggestionHelper("Card #2", "card_2").SuggestedReply() }; // Create the card content for the carousel List<CardContent> cardContents = new List<CardContent> { // Add items as card content new StandaloneCardHelper( "Card #1", "The description for card #1", card1Image, suggestions1).GetCardContent(), new StandaloneCardHelper( "Card #2", "The description for card #2", card2Image, suggestions2).GetCardContent() }; // Send the carousel to the user rbmApiHelper.SendCarouselCards(cardContents, CardWidth.MEDIUM, msisdn);This code is an excerpt from an RBM sample agent.