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Conversation AI Email Channel Support

Learn how to set up Conversation AI Email Channel Support in GHL Customer Care, configure replies, choose email formats, and keep automated inbox conversations organized

7 min read1,660 words6 explained imagesUpdated Tue, 2 Jun at 12:22 AM
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On this page
  1. Key Benefits of Conversation AI Email Channel Support
  2. Email Channel Settings and Behavior
  3. Email Response Formats
  4. Personalization, Threading, and Agentic Actions
  5. Personalization
  6. Language detection
  7. Threading and history
  8. Agentic actions
  9. Primary Bot Requirement for Inbound Email Replies
  10. Prerequisites
  11. How To Setup Conversation AI Email Channel Support
  12. Configure Email Step
  13. Choose Format Step
  14. Final Review Step
  15. Frequently Asked Questions
  16. Related Articles

Conversation AI Email Channel Support lets your bot respond to inbound emails with the same automation already available across other Conversation AI channels. This helps teams manage email conversations faster, maintain consistent messaging, and keep communication organized inside GHL Customer Care. With support for branded formatting, personalization, and thread continuity, Email becomes a practical channel for automated lead and customer communication.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is Conversation AI Email Channel Support?

Conversation AI Email Channel Support adds email as a supported channel for your Conversation AI bot. When an inbound email reaches a connected inbox, the bot can read the message, understand the context, and send an automated reply while preserving standard email behavior such as subject continuity, thread history, and recipient handling based on your setup.

This gives businesses a way to extend Conversation AI beyond chat-style channels and use it for email-based lead response, support communication, and ongoing customer conversations. It is especially useful for teams that want faster response times without losing brand consistency or visibility inside Conversations.

Key Benefits of Conversation AI Email Channel Support

  • Faster email response times: Automatically reply to inbound emails so leads and customers do not wait for a manual first response.
  • Consistent communication across channels: Extend your existing Conversation AI experience to email alongside other supported bot channels.
  • Broad email channel support: Use Conversation AI Email across supported Email channels, including LC Email, Custom Email SMTP, and Custom Conversation Email providers.
  • Automatic language detection: Respond to inbound emails in the detected language for a more natural customer experience.
  • Agentic compatibility: Continue using actions such as workflow triggers and human handover when email is part of your bot strategy.
  • Cleaner conversation history: Keep replies in the same thread so conversations stay easier to follow.
  • Operational flexibility: Add CC or BCC recipients and choose a response delay that matches your team’s process.

Email Channel Settings and Behavior

Email channel settings help you control how your bot appears to contacts and how replies are delivered. Understanding these options before setup makes it easier to choose the right inbox, response style, and workflow for your team.

Conversation AI Email Channel Support works across supported Email channels, including LC Email, Custom Email SMTP, and Custom Conversation Email providers. This gives you flexibility to use the inbox setup that best fits your business while still managing automated replies through Conversation AI.

When Email is enabled as a supported channel for a bot, you can configure settings such as:

  • sender name
  • from address
  • default CC and BCC recipients
  • greeting personalization
  • sign-off and signature
  • response delay
  • plain text or branded template formatting
Email Channel Settings and Behavior (image 1 of 6) What this shows sender name from address default CC and BCC recipients greeting personalization sign-off and signature response delay plain text or… What this shows Illustrates the "Email Channel Settings and Behavior" section of "Conversation AI Email Channel Support". This screenshot appears in the "Email Channel Settings and Behavior" section of "Conversation AI Email Channel Support". The text alongside this image reads: sender name from address default CC and BCC recipients greeting personalization sign-off and signature response delay plain text or branded template formatting. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Choosing the right format affects how your automated replies look in the recipient’s inbox. This is important because some teams prioritize simple deliverability, while others need a more branded customer experience. Image 1 of 6 What this coverssender name from address default CC and BCC recipients greeting personalization sign-off and signature response delay plain text or branded template formatting
Fields in this part of the guide sender namefrom address
Next stepChoosing the right format affects how your automated replies look in the recipient’s inbox. This is important because some teams prioritize simple deliverability, while others need a more branded customer experience.
Example values
sender name
Priya Raman
from address
4180 W Belmont Ave

Illustrative values showing the expected format. They are not read from the screenshot.

All 7 steps in this procedure
  1. sender name
  2. from address
  3. default CC and BCC recipients
  4. greeting personalization
  5. sign-off and signature
  6. response delay
  7. plain text or branded template formatting

Email Response Formats

Choosing the right format affects how your automated replies look in the recipient’s inbox. This is important because some teams prioritize simple deliverability, while others need a more branded customer experience.

You can choose between the following response formats:

FormatBest ForWhat It IncludesThings to Keep in Mind
Plain TextSimple, lightweight email repliesA clean text-based email with your greeting, AI-generated response, sign-off, and signatureBest when you want a natural one-to-one email style with minimal formatting.
Design EditorBranded email repliesA styled HTML email that can include your logo, brand colors, header, footer, social links, and AI-generated responseThe required AI response placeholder must be added where the generated reply should appear.

Personalization, Threading, and Agentic Actions

These capabilities shape how the email experience feels to both your team and your contacts. They help automated emails stay useful, relevant, and easier to manage over time.

Personalization

You can personalize the email experience with:

  • dynamic greetings
  • customized sign-offs
  • signature details that match your brand or team identity

This makes replies feel more natural and less robotic.

Language detection

Conversation AI can automatically detect the language of an inbound email and generate the reply in that same language. This helps create a smoother experience for contacts and makes the Email channel more effective for multilingual communication.

Threading and history

Conversation AI Email replies are designed to preserve the existing subject and thread structure so the conversation remains easier to follow. This supports a cleaner customer experience and helps your team review email interactions in context.

Agentic actions

Conversation AI Email supports the same broader automation approach used in other bot experiences. Depending on how your bot is configured, you can use actions such as:

  • triggering workflows
  • stopping bot behavior
  • handing the conversation to a human
  • transferring to another bot
Note: The Conversation AI Workflow Action does not currently support the Email channel. Email support applies to Conversation AI bot replies for inbound email conversations, not to the Conversation AI action inside workflows. When configuring workflow-based Conversation AI actions, use one of the supported channels available in the workflow action settings.

Primary Bot Requirement for Inbound Email Replies

Primary bot assignment determines whether Conversation AI responds to general inbound emails automatically. A primary bot handles inbound conversations for its assigned channels, while non-primary bots are intended for workflow-based use cases.

To automatically reply to inbound emails outside of workflow automation:

  • Assign Email as a supported channel for the primary bot.
  • Set the bot status to Auto-Pilot.
  • Confirm the connected inbox and From Address are active.
  • Save the bot settings after enabling Email.

If Email is assigned to a non-primary bot, the bot may not respond to general inbound emails by default. Use a workflow or supported routing method if a non-primary bot should handle specific email-based conversations.

See more: Primary vs Non-Primary Conversation AI Bots

Prerequisites

Email replies depend on the connected inbox, bot status, primary bot assignment, and channel configuration. Confirming these requirements first helps prevent missed replies or unexpected routing behavior.

Before enabling Email for Conversation AI, make sure:

  • A supported email inbox or provider is connected in the sub-account.
  • The Conversation AI bot is set to Auto-Pilot if you want automatic replies.
  • Email is assigned as a supported channel for the bot.
  • The bot is set as the primary bot if it should respond to general inbound emails.
  • Non-primary bots are only used when routed through workflows or another supported automation path.
  • The selected From Address is active and available for sending replies.

How To Setup Conversation AI Email Channel Support

Setting up the Email channel allows your Conversation AI bot to reply to inbound emails using your selected inbox, formatting, and response settings. Completing the setup correctly helps ensure replies are sent from the right address, stay on-brand, and remain organized within the same email thread.

  1. Go to AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List.
    Find the bot you want to update, click the three-dot menu, and select Edit.
    Step 1 of 6: Go to AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. Find the bot you want… What this shows Step 1 of 6: Go to AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. What this shows Shows where to go for step 1 of 6 in the "How To Setup Conversation AI Email Channel Support" section of "Conversation AI Email Channel Support". This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 6 in the "How To Setup Conversation AI Email Channel Support" section of "Conversation AI Email Channel Support". At this point in the walkthrough you go to AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. Find the bot you want to update, click the three-dot menu, and select Edit. The navigation path used here is AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. The next step is to in the bot settings, go to the Channels section and turn on Email. Click Configure Email Settings to open the 3-Step Email setup wizard. Step 1 of 6Path: AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent ListImage 2 of 6 Where to goGo to AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. Find the bot you want to update, click the three-dot menu, and select Edit.
    Buttons and menus referenced AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent Listthree-dot menuEditChannelsEmailConfigure Email SettingsConfigure Email StepSender NameFrom AddressCCBCCWait Time
    Next stepIn the bot settings, go to the Channels section and turn on Email. Click Configure Email Settings to open the 3-Step Email setup wizard.
    All 6 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. Find the bot you want to update, click the three-dot menu, and select Edit. this image
    2. In the bot settings, go to the Channels section and turn on Email. Click Configure Email Settings to open the 3-Step Email setup wizard.
    3. Configure Email Step - Enter the Sender Name and select the From Address the bot should use when replying. - Add any default CC and BCC recipients who should be included on replies. - Choose the Wait Time for how long the bot should delay before replying, up to 12 hours. - Set the Greeting Personalisation message along with Custom Fields
    4. Choose Format Step - Choose Plain Text for a simple email format or Design Editor for a branded HTML layout. - If you choose Design Editor, open or create the template, add your branding, and insert the required AI response placeholder where the generated reply should appear.
    5. Final Review Step Review the email preview and click Save to activate the Email channel.
    6. Send a test email from an external inbox and verify the message appears in the correct conversation, the bot reply uses the expected format, and the reply stays in the same thread.
  2. In the bot settings, go to the Channels section and turn on Email.
    Click Configure Email Settings to open the 3-Step Email setup wizard.
    Step 2 of 6: In the bot settings, go to the Channels section and turn on Email… What this shows Step 2 of 6: In the bot settings, go to the Channels section and turn on Email. What this shows Shows what to click for step 2 of 6 in the "How To Setup Conversation AI Email Channel Support" section of "Conversation AI Email Channel Support". This animation accompanies step 2 of 6 in the "How To Setup Conversation AI Email Channel Support" section of "Conversation AI Email Channel Support". At this point in the walkthrough you in the bot settings, go to the Channels section and turn on Email. Click Configure Email Settings to open the 3-Step Email setup wizard. The navigation path used here is AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. The next step is to configure Email Step - Enter the Sender Name and select the From Address the bot should use when replying. - Add any default CC and BCC recipients who should be included on replies. - Choose the Wait Time for how long the bot should delay before replying, up to 12 hours. - Set the Greeting Personalisation message along with Custom Fields. Step 2 of 6Path: AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent ListImage 3 of 6 What to clickIn the bot settings, go to the Channels section and turn on Email. Click Configure Email Settings to open the 3-Step Email setup wizard.
    Buttons and menus referenced ChannelsEmailConfigure Email SettingsAI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent Listthree-dot menuEditConfigure Email StepSender NameFrom AddressCCBCCWait Time
    Next stepConfigure Email Step - Enter the Sender Name and select the From Address the bot should use when replying. - Add any default CC and BCC recipients who should be included on replies. - Choose the Wait Time for how long the bot should delay before replying, up to 12 hours. - Set the Greeting Personalisation message along with Custom Fields
    All 6 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. Find the bot you want to update, click the three-dot menu, and select Edit.
    2. In the bot settings, go to the Channels section and turn on Email. Click Configure Email Settings to open the 3-Step Email setup wizard. this image
    3. Configure Email Step - Enter the Sender Name and select the From Address the bot should use when replying. - Add any default CC and BCC recipients who should be included on replies. - Choose the Wait Time for how long the bot should delay before replying, up to 12 hours. - Set the Greeting Personalisation message along with Custom Fields
    4. Choose Format Step - Choose Plain Text for a simple email format or Design Editor for a branded HTML layout. - If you choose Design Editor, open or create the template, add your branding, and insert the required AI response placeholder where the generated reply should appear.
    5. Final Review Step Review the email preview and click Save to activate the Email channel.
    6. Send a test email from an external inbox and verify the message appears in the correct conversation, the bot reply uses the expected format, and the reply stays in the same thread.

  3. Configure Email Step

    - Enter the Sender Name and select the From Address the bot should use when replying.
    - Add any default CC and BCC recipients who should be included on replies.
    - Choose the Wait Time for how long the bot should delay before replying, up to 12 hours.
    - Set the Greeting Personalisation message along with Custom Fields
    Step 3 of 6: Configure Email Step - Enter the Sender Name and select the From… What this shows Step 3 of 6: Configure Email Step - Enter the Sender Name and select the From Address the bot should use when replying. What this shows Shows what to fill in for step 3 of 6 in the "Configure Email Step" section of "Conversation AI Email Channel Support". This animation accompanies step 3 of 6 in the "Configure Email Step" section of "Conversation AI Email Channel Support". At this point in the walkthrough you configure Email Step - Enter the Sender Name and select the From Address the bot should use when replying. - Add any default CC and BCC recipients who should be included on replies. - Choose the Wait Time for how long the bot should delay before replying, up to 12 hours. - Set the Greeting Personalisation message along with Custom Fields. The navigation path used here is AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. The next step is to choose Format Step - Choose Plain Text for a simple email format or Design Editor for a branded HTML layout. - If you choose Design Editor, open or create the template, add your branding, and insert the required AI response placeholder where the generated reply should appear. Step 3 of 6Path: AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent ListImage 4 of 6 What to fill inConfigure Email Step - Enter the Sender Name and select the From Address the bot should use when replying. - Add any default CC and BCC recipients who should be included on replies. - Choose the Wait Time for how long the bot should delay before replying, up to 12 hours. - Set the Greeting Personalisation message along with Custom Fields
    Buttons and menus referenced Configure Email StepSender NameFrom AddressCCBCCWait TimeGreeting PersonalisationAI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent Listthree-dot menuEditChannelsEmail
    Next stepChoose Format Step - Choose Plain Text for a simple email format or Design Editor for a branded HTML layout. - If you choose Design Editor, open or create the template, add your branding, and insert the required AI response placeholder where the generated reply should appear.
    All 6 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. Find the bot you want to update, click the three-dot menu, and select Edit.
    2. In the bot settings, go to the Channels section and turn on Email. Click Configure Email Settings to open the 3-Step Email setup wizard.
    3. Configure Email Step - Enter the Sender Name and select the From Address the bot should use when replying. - Add any default CC and BCC recipients who should be included on replies. - Choose the Wait Time for how long the bot should delay before replying, up to 12 hours. - Set the Greeting Personalisation message along with Custom Fields this image
    4. Choose Format Step - Choose Plain Text for a simple email format or Design Editor for a branded HTML layout. - If you choose Design Editor, open or create the template, add your branding, and insert the required AI response placeholder where the generated reply should appear.
    5. Final Review Step Review the email preview and click Save to activate the Email channel.
    6. Send a test email from an external inbox and verify the message appears in the correct conversation, the bot reply uses the expected format, and the reply stays in the same thread.

  4. Choose Format Step

    - Choose Plain Text for a simple email format or Design Editor for a branded HTML layout.
    - If you choose Design Editor, open or create the template, add your branding, and insert the required AI response placeholder where the generated reply should appear.
    Step 4 of 6: Choose Format Step - Choose Plain Text for a simple email format or… What this shows Step 4 of 6: Choose Format Step - Choose Plain Text for a simple email format or Design Editor for a branded HTML layout. What this shows Shows what to choose for step 4 of 6 in the "Choose Format Step" section of "Conversation AI Email Channel Support". This animation accompanies step 4 of 6 in the "Choose Format Step" section of "Conversation AI Email Channel Support". At this point in the walkthrough you choose Format Step - Choose Plain Text for a simple email format or Design Editor for a branded HTML layout. - If you choose Design Editor, open or create the template, add your branding, and insert the required AI response placeholder where the generated reply should appear. The navigation path used here is AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. The next step is to final Review Step Review the email preview and click Save to activate the Email channel. Step 4 of 6Path: AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent ListImage 5 of 6 What to chooseChoose Format Step - Choose Plain Text for a simple email format or Design Editor for a branded HTML layout. - If you choose Design Editor, open or create the template, add your branding, and insert the required AI response placeholder where the generated reply should appear.
    Buttons and menus referenced Choose Format StepPlain TextDesign EditorAI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent Listthree-dot menuEditChannelsEmailConfigure Email SettingsConfigure Email StepSender NameFrom Address
    Next stepFinal Review Step Review the email preview and click Save to activate the Email channel.
    All 6 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. Find the bot you want to update, click the three-dot menu, and select Edit.
    2. In the bot settings, go to the Channels section and turn on Email. Click Configure Email Settings to open the 3-Step Email setup wizard.
    3. Configure Email Step - Enter the Sender Name and select the From Address the bot should use when replying. - Add any default CC and BCC recipients who should be included on replies. - Choose the Wait Time for how long the bot should delay before replying, up to 12 hours. - Set the Greeting Personalisation message along with Custom Fields
    4. Choose Format Step - Choose Plain Text for a simple email format or Design Editor for a branded HTML layout. - If you choose Design Editor, open or create the template, add your branding, and insert the required AI response placeholder where the generated reply should appear. this image
    5. Final Review Step Review the email preview and click Save to activate the Email channel.
    6. Send a test email from an external inbox and verify the message appears in the correct conversation, the bot reply uses the expected format, and the reply stays in the same thread.

  5. Final Review Step


    Review the email preview and click Save to activate the Email channel.
    Step 5 of 6: Final Review Step Review the email preview and click Save to activate… What this shows Step 5 of 6: Final Review Step Review the email preview and click Save to activate the Email channel. What this shows Shows how to confirm for step 5 of 6 in the "Final Review Step" section of "Conversation AI Email Channel Support". This screenshot accompanies step 5 of 6 in the "Final Review Step" section of "Conversation AI Email Channel Support". At this point in the walkthrough you final Review Step Review the email preview and click Save to activate the Email channel. The navigation path used here is AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. The next step is to send a test email from an external inbox and verify the message appears in the correct conversation, the bot reply uses the expected format, and the reply stays in the same thread. Step 5 of 6Path: AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent ListImage 6 of 6 How to confirmFinal Review Step Review the email preview and click Save to activate the Email channel.
    Buttons and menus referenced Final Review StepSaveAI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent Listthree-dot menuEditChannelsEmailConfigure Email SettingsConfigure Email StepSender NameFrom AddressCC
    Next stepSend a test email from an external inbox and verify the message appears in the correct conversation, the bot reply uses the expected format, and the reply stays in the same thread.
    All 6 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to AI Agents > Conversation AI > Agent List. Find the bot you want to update, click the three-dot menu, and select Edit.
    2. In the bot settings, go to the Channels section and turn on Email. Click Configure Email Settings to open the 3-Step Email setup wizard.
    3. Configure Email Step - Enter the Sender Name and select the From Address the bot should use when replying. - Add any default CC and BCC recipients who should be included on replies. - Choose the Wait Time for how long the bot should delay before replying, up to 12 hours. - Set the Greeting Personalisation message along with Custom Fields
    4. Choose Format Step - Choose Plain Text for a simple email format or Design Editor for a branded HTML layout. - If you choose Design Editor, open or create the template, add your branding, and insert the required AI response placeholder where the generated reply should appear.
    5. Final Review Step Review the email preview and click Save to activate the Email channel. this image
    6. Send a test email from an external inbox and verify the message appears in the correct conversation, the bot reply uses the expected format, and the reply stays in the same thread.
  6. Send a test email from an external inbox and verify the message appears in the correct conversation, the bot reply uses the expected format, and the reply stays in the same thread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a connected inbox before I can use the Email channel?
Yes. You need at least one active connected inbox before the bot can reply to inbound emails.

Q: Can I use plain text instead of a branded template?
Yes. You can choose plain text if you prefer a simpler email format.

Q: Why is the AI reply missing from my branded template?
The most likely cause is that the required AI response placeholder was not added to the template body.

Q: Does Email replace my other Conversation AI channels?
No. Email is an additional supported channel and does not replace your other enabled bot channels.

Q: Can I still use human handover with Email?
Yes. Human handover remains part of the broader Conversation AI action framework.

Q: Which Email channels are supported?
Conversation AI Email supports supported Email channels including LC Email, Custom Email SMTP, and Custom Conversation Email providers.

Q: Can the bot reply in the same language as the inbound email?
Yes. Conversation AI can detect the language of the inbound email and respond accordingly.

Q: Can I use Email in the Conversation AI Workflow Action?
A: No. The Conversation AI Workflow Action does not currently support the Email channel. Email support applies to Conversation AI bot replies for inbound email conversations.

Q: Why is my bot not replying to inbound emails even though Email is enabled?
If the bot is not set as the primary bot, it may not respond to general inbound emails by default. Non-primary bots are intended to respond within workflows. To fix this, assign the Email channel to the primary bot or use a workflow to route the conversation to a non-primary bot.

See more: Primary vs Non-Primary Conversation AI Bots

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