---
title: "Welcome Message Delay - Auto-Respond Docs"
description: "Hold the welcome reply for 1–30 minutes so it feels less instant"
source: https://auto-respond.com/docs/messaging-settings/conversation-setup/delay/
---

![Welcome Message Delay documentation guide](https://auto-respond.com/assets/docs/messaging-settings-conversation-setup-delay.svg "Welcome Message Delay Documentation")

A visual guide to the Welcome Message Delay documentation, covering the setup, configuration, and workflow details explained on this page. Documentation illustration for Welcome Message Delay.

# Welcome Message Delay

Add a short delay before the welcome message is sent. Useful when an instant reply feels obviously automated and you’d rather it land a minute or two later, like a human picking up the phone.

This option is available in **both** Predefined Messages mode and AI Assistant mode.

## Getting here

In Auto-Respond, go to **Sources** → select a source → **Messaging Settings** → **Conversation Setup** tab. The delay controls sit below the mode toggle.

## Options

### Delay sending the welcome message

- **Label:** “Delay sending the welcome message” (checkbox)
- **Default:** off
- **When on:** the welcome is held for the number of minutes you specify, then sent.
- **When off:** the welcome is sent as soon as the lead’s inquiry is received.
- **Use this when:** you want the reply to feel like a person just noticed the message rather than a bot firing off instantly.

### Delay length

- **Label:** delay-length input (appears when the checkbox above is on)
- **Range:** **1–30 minutes** (whole numbers only)
- **Default:** (not applicable - only shown when delay is enabled)
- **Use this when:** 1–2 minutes usually hits the sweet spot for “felt like a real reply” without losing the speed-to-lead advantage. Longer delays (5+ minutes) fit higher-end services where a thoughtful reply is expected.

## How it behaves

- The delay only affects the **welcome message**. It does not push back the follow-up sequence - follow-ups still count from when the welcome is sent.
- If AI Assistant mode is on and the AI is having a back-and-forth with the lead, separate **Delay conversation messages** setting applies to the follow-up AI replies (see the [AI Assistant page](https://auto-respond.com/docs/messaging-settings/conversation-setup/ai-assistant/)).
- The delay is in clock minutes - it doesn’t skip over off-hours. If you need to hold messages to business hours, use the [Timing tab](https://auto-respond.com/docs/messaging-settings/timing/) for follow-ups. (The welcome itself will still send during the delay window regardless of business hours.)

💡

In fast-moving, first-response-wins markets (emergency plumbing, lockouts, tow), keep the delay **off**. In professional services where a considered reply is expected, try 2–5 minutes.

## Troubleshooting

- **I set the delay but the welcome sends instantly:** confirm the “Delay sending the welcome message” checkbox is actually on, and that the delay length shows 1 or more. Also check that the source isn’t inheriting from a parent with the delay off - if so, turn **Override Default Settings** on at this level.
- **Delay is longer than I expected:** the delay value is in **minutes**, not seconds. Valid range is 1–30.

***

Questions? Email <support@auto-respond.com>.

Last updated: April 21, 2026