Overview
Typing indicators are an optional feature in charles that show animated dots whenever someone is typing. They help create a more natural, “real‑time” messaging experience for your WhatsApp contacts by signaling that a reply is on the way.
You can turn typing indicators on or off at any time, depending on your preference.
What are typing indicators?
Typing indicators appear as animated dots that let WhatsApp users know you’re currently preparing a response. This improves the chat experience by:
Reducing perceived wait times
Helping conversations feel more human
Building trust through visible responsiveness
Typing indicators are especially useful when a reply might take longer than a few seconds — for example, when an agent is reviewing an inquiry or when a bot is generating a response.
How to enable or disable typing indicators
You can manage typing indicators directly in your settings:
Settings > Configurations
From here, simply toggle the typing indicator on or off based on your preferred workflow.
What happens when typing indicators are disabled?
If you choose to disable typing indicators:
Your contacts will not see when you are typing
This can be useful in scenarios where you prefer not to share activity signals.
Why use typing indicators?
Typing indicators can support better customer experiences in several ways:
More human-like interactions: Helps conversations feel natural, especially in hybrid bot–agent setups.
Improved user experience: Signals to users that their message is being processed.
Reduced drop-offs: By showing responsiveness, you keep users engaged while preparing a response.
Better handover experience: Provides a smooth transition between automated flows and human agents.
Best practices
To use typing indicators effectively:
Only show the indicator when a response is truly being prepared
Avoid showing typing indicators during long delays or inactive flows
Use them strategically to create a smoother, more trustworthy chat experience
Summary
Typing indicators are a small but impactful feature that can significantly enhance the real-time experience of WhatsApp conversations. Whether you’re handling chats manually or running automated flows, typing indicators help bridge the gap between efficiency and a personal touch.
If you're looking to make your customer communication more human, responsive, and engaging, enabling typing indicators is a great place to start.