What is a URL block?

Why use the URL block?

The character limit for the URL is 3000.

Error message if the user adds an invalid URL:

Steps to create a URL block

If you try to close the block listing without saving the URL block, all the unsaved changes will be lost permanently.

If you enter the name of an existing block for another block, the below error will be displayed.

9. Click Save. 
10. Publish the flow.

1. If this block is not mandatory for your user to answer, toggle 'on' the option to Skip Block. This option is not available for flows of WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger channels.
   
2. If you want to keep this block as the end of your conversational flow, toggle 'on' the End block option.

Editing the URL block

You can edit a URL block whenever required, even after the flow is published or in the drafts section, by following these steps:

1. Open the flow and click on Edit

4. Make the required changes to the block and click Save.

• If you edit a block while an end user is engaged in a live session with the bot, the previous version of the flow will be rendered until they restart the conversation.
  

• After making changes, you will need to publish the flow for those changes to be reflected in an end user's session.

• If a change is made to an input variable, it will be updated automatically across all flows where the variable is used.
  

Copying the URL block

The pasted block would appear on the block listing section and be stated as From Clipboard.

4. Edit the block if required or simply click Paste.

• The copied URL block can be pasted multiple times. If you no longer need to paste it, you can clear the clipboard by clicking the close icon corresponding to the clipboard option.

• When copying an existing URL block, all of its content, including any variables, will be copied as is. You can edit it as needed before adding it to the flow. Since the names of each block must be unique, the word '_copy' will be added to the copied blocks automatically; this can be changed if required.

• If you have copied a block and it is in the clipboard, deleting the copied block later will also remove it from the clipboard.

Deleting the URL block

1. Open the flow and click on Edit.

You can use the undo option to restore a deleted block as your following action, but not otherwise.

• If you delete a URL block while an end user is engaged in a live session with the bot, the previous version of the flow will be rendered until they restart the conversation.
  

• After making changes, you will need to publish the flow for those changes to be reflected in an end user's session.
  

If the deleted block has dependencies, such as those given below, errors will be displayed.

 
Path below the block:

If the block was used to jump to a different flow:

Example of the URL blocks in a flow

Bot prompt: Please enter the URL of the page you'd like to provide feedback on:

Input given in the builder:

GC widget's output:

After the user adds and submits the URL:

Best practices

• Use the URL block in contexts where specific links are necessary, such as for sharing documents, referencing articles, or linking to external resources.

• Clearly explain to users why you are asking for a URL. For example, "Please provide the URL of the page you are referring to for us to assist you better."

• Ensure that the URLs provided by users are safe and do not pose security risks. Avoid requesting URLs for sensitive or private information.

• After receiving the URL, acknowledge it and inform users about the next steps or actions you will take based on the provided link.

• Provide guidance on where users can find the URL they need to share, such as from their browser's address bar or by copying it from a document.
  
  

A total of 500 blocks can be added in a flow. If you reach that count, you can use the jump block to create a new flow or delete unnecessary flows.