What is a video block?
A video block allows the bot to request and receive responses in the form of video files from users. This block enhances the interaction by enabling users to provide detailed visual information, which can be particularly useful in various scenarios.
Why use the video block?
The video block ensures that the uploaded file is in an acceptable video format, providing a seamless and error-free experience for users. By incorporating this block, GC bot can handle complex user interactions that require more than just text-based communication. This also provides businesses with valuable visual data that can be used to enhance service quality and customer satisfaction.
Steps to create a video block
To add the Video block to the flow:
1. Click on the add block icon (+)
2. Choose Video under the Question Cards section.
If you try to close the block listing without saving the video block, any unsaved changes will be lost permanently.
3. Add a unique name for your block in the Block Name field.
If you enter the name of an existing block for another block, the below error will be displayed.
4. Add the Question in the question field.
5. Choose the video Format options you want your user to send the video in, then click Save.
Below are the video formats that GC approves. You can deselect the formats you don't need.
WhatsApp channel only supports mp4 and 3gp formats.
6. Adjust the existing Validation Error Message to fit the context of your video block.
7. Click the Preview block option to see how the block would be displayed to the user.
8. If you are satisfied with the output, click Save.
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.
If you want to keep this block as the end of your conversational flow, toggle on the End block option.
Video files can be either dragged and dropped or attached; and the limit should not exceed 14 MB.
Editing the video block
You can edit a video block whenever required, even after the flow is published or in the drafts section, by following these steps:
1. Open the flow and click Edit.
2. Click the Video Block, which you may have named differently.
3. Choose Edit Block from the displayed options.
4. Make the required changes to the block and click Save.
5. Click Save.
6. Publish the flow.
- 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, it is necessary to re-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 automatically updated across all flows where the variable is used.
Copy a video block
The copy block option can be used when you need to reuse a block that you previously created. You can copy that block and add it to your flow as is, or edit it according to the requirement.
1. Click the Video Block you wish to copy.
2. Choose the Copy Block option; the block will be pasted on the clipboard.
3. When you require to paste that block, click on the Add block icon (+).
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 video block can be pasted multiple times. If you no longer need to paste it, you can clear the clipboard by clicking on the close icon corresponding to the clipboard option.
- When copying an existing video block, all of its content, including variables, if any, 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 video block
1. Open the flow and click Edit.
2. Click the Video Block, which you may have named differently.
3. Choose Delete Block from the displayed options.
4. Confirm deleting the selected block by clicking Yes, Delete it.
You can use the undo option to restore a deleted block as your following action, but not otherwise.
5. Click Save.
6. Publish the flow.
- If you delete 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 need to republish 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 deleted block was used to jump to a different flow:
Use Case
A customer from the online store Zylker Electronics received their order but encountered an issue. They immediately visited the website and started a conversation with the bot. During the interaction, the customer reported that both the packaging and the gadget were in poor condition. The bot then requested a video to show the condition of the packaging upon arrival. The customer responds by attaching the video and is awaiting the team's analysis to provide the customer with the right solution.
Examples of the video blocks in a flow
Packaging and condition
The package is damaged on all the sides.
Bot Prompt: Can you upload a video showing the condition of the packaging of the product upon arrival?
Input given in the builder:
GC widget's output:
After the user uploads and submits the video:
The user can preview the video they have uploaded to check if they have attached the right video.
Best practices
- Clearly explain to the user what kind of video you need and why. For example, "Please upload a short video introducing yourself for your profile."
- Specify maximum file size limits and suggest ways to reduce file size if necessary.
- Clearly inform users how the videos will be used and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
- Provide an option for the users to review and, if necessary, edit or replace the video they uploaded.
Supported channels
The video block is supported in the following channels:
- WhatsApp
- Telegram
- Facebook Messenger
- LINE
- Instagram
- Business Messaging
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.