Olark features: tier-by-tier list (2026)
Per-seat live chat with optional PowerUps. Each PowerUp adds $29-$99/month to the base subscription.
Core capabilities (103)
Match your chat box to your brand
It only takes a few quick visual tweaks to make your Olark chat box look right at home on your website — and a stylishly on-brand chat box means more chats, more sales, and more happy customers.
Source · core
Custom chatbox forms
Arm your sales and support teams with powerful context by collecting information from your visitors before a chat begins.
Source · core
Engage customers in real time
Customers these days don't want to wait for an email response, and they definitely don't want to pick up the phone.
Source · core
Go above and beyond with PowerUps
Give your Olark plan a boost with PowerUps — specialized live chat features for going the extra mile in sales, growth, and service.
Source · core
Integrate with your favorite software
Live chat is great on its own, but it's even better when it's connected to the rest of your sales, marketing, and support process.
Source · core
Browse our help center and product tour videos
Browse our help center and product tour videos for more details, or start a free trial to experience user-friendly live chat firsthand.
Source · core
Included features
Customizable chatbox Advanced reporting Agent groups Targeted chat Basic integrations Comprehensive security Email and chat support Built in WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility certification
Source · core integrations
Do I have to sign a contract
For our regular plan, that's up to you! You can pay month-to-month and cancel at any time, or you can purchase a 1 or 2 year subscription plan. Subscriptions cost less than a month-to-month plan, and are paid in full when you sign up.
Source · core
Does Olark have a free account
All accounts start on a free 14-day trial . At the end of your trial, you have the option to downgrade to a free account.
Source · core
Does Olark answer chats for me
If you choose a Pro plan, yes! If you choose the Standard plan, we provide the tools that your agents use to chat with visitors on your website.
Source · core
Debugging
Use the !develop command from the agent console to reveal helpful debug tools on the visitor’s chatbox.
Source · core
Where to place code
Configuration calls must be used when the chatbox first loads on a page. Put configuration calls before olark.identify : /* custom configuration goes here (www.olark.com/documentation) */ // ⟶ Your configuration here olark.identify(‘1234-456-78-9810’); We enco
Source · core
Localization
You can translate the chat box into any language in your text settings and editing the text.
Source · core
Animate Attention Grabber on checkout page
If you’d like to reach out to people on your checkout page to ensure you make the sale, or offer a discount, you might wish to animate the Attention Grabber on that page only, to give it extra prominence. // Check if the page URL contains 'checkout' if(w
Source · core
Attention Grabber image height
Set the Attention Grabber image height in pixels. For example: olark.configure('CalloutBubble.bubble_height', 25 ); Results in an attention grabber with a height of 25px.
Source · core
Offline Attention Grabber image
Sets the Attention Grabber image while all your operators are set to away or offline. Like the other Attention Grabber calls, this works on a page by page basis.
Source · core
Change Chatbox Position
Change the position of the chatbox. This can also be changed site wide from the Theme Settings Page.
Source · core
Change Chatbox Size
Change the size of the chatbox. The chatbox can be configured to appear in one of three different sizes: small, medium, or large. By default, it uses the medium size. Changing the size of the chatbox will also modify the size of the chat button.
Source · core
Change Font Family
Choose what font you’d like the chatbox to have. Use this call with an Array of valid loaded fonts.
Source · core
Change Text Position
Change the text position for right to left language support. This can also be changed site wide from the Theme Settings Page.
Source · core
Change the Border Radius
We have two options that allow you to have ‘soft’ or ‘hard’ corners for the chatbox.
Source · core
Change the Color of Visitor Messages
Change the color of your visitor messages. This configuration key will only accept hex values. olark.configure('system.hb_custom_style', { general: { fonts: [''], corners: '', secondaryColor: '#ffe6ff' } }); Change the color of visitor messages olark.configure
Source · core
Disable the Mobile Chatbox
Disable the mobile chatbox. This can also be changed site wide from the Theme Settings Page.
Source · core
Floating Chatbox
Normally, the chatbox is anchored to the bottom of the webpage. This detaches the chatbox from the bottom of the page, allowing it to float near the bottom instead. olark.configure('system.hb_detached', true); Floating chatbox olark.configure('system.hb_detach
Source · core
Set Dark Theme
Choose a light or dark theme for the chatbox. This can also be changed site wide from the Theme Settings Page. You can enable a dark theme on a specific page. You can also do this for your entire site from the Theme Settings Page .
Source · core
Set Theme Color
Set the primary color of the chatbox. This can also be changed site wide from the Theme Settings Page. This configure call will only accept a hex string.
Source · core
Show as Tab
Show the chatbox as a tab. This can also be changed site wide from the Theme Settings Page.
Source · core
Show Button Text
Show the button text on the chatbox icon. This can also be changed site wide from the Theme Settings Page.
Source · core
Hide the chatbox
Hides the chatbox. This box will make the chatbox disappear on the page, but operators will still be able to see visitors in their visitor list.
Source · core
Hide the chatbox if not logged in
You might want Olark to be loaded in the background on a particular page, but not show immediately.
Source · core
On chatbox show
Whenever the chatbox is shown (unhidden), the given callback function will be triggered.
Source · core
Watch for visitors clicking the chatbox
A visitor to your site might expand the chatbox, but not initiate a conversation.
Source · core
Update visitor status when chat box visible
If you have chosen to have your chatbox hidden by default, you can indicate in your buddy list that a visitor can now see the chatbox.
Source · core
Show the chatbox
Shows the chatbox. Showing the chatbox will make it appear on the page. This will override settings such as Invisible Olark .
Source · core
Change operator group
Note: This method requires a plan that supports the Groups feature. Locks the visitor to a specific group of operators. All messages from the visitor will now go to that group of operators instead of all operators.
Source · core
Switch to a backup operator group
This is a special rule that notifies a backup group of operators when a customer initiates a conversation but doesn’t receive a response within a minute.
Source · core
Offline message sent
When an offline message is sent to the operator, this will call the given callback with an event object
Source · core
On conversation start
Whenever a visitor or operator sends the first message, the given callback function will be triggered.
Source · core
Show premium users in visitor list
Olark already sends some nice information to the operator when the chat first begins, but you can send your own information too.
Source · core
On message to operator
Whenever a message is sent to the operator, this will call the given callback with an event object.
Source · core
Add an optional piece of information
Create a custom command to notify a new chatter that there is a queue. By using !q and adding an integer, such as 2 after it, !q 2 , you add a custom time into the message. This example tells the visitor that the operator will be with them in 2 minutes.
Source · core
Indicate you have operators available
Show a green icon whenever you have operators available to chat, or a red one when you are away: <!-- HTML element to show chatbox status --> <div id="chat-indicator">Live chat</div> <style type="text/css"> /* Operators available */ .green-icon { background-co
Source · core
Indicate your operators are offline
Show a red icon whenever you have operators available to chat: <!-- HTML element to show chatbox status --> <div id="chat-indicator">Live chat</div> <style type="text/css"> /* Operators available */ .green-icon { background-color: green; } /* Operators offline
Source · core
Send message to visitor
Send a message to the visitor. It will appear as if the message came from an operator.
Source · core
Send operator notification
Send a notification message to the operator. The operator will see [info] to indicate that this message was not sent from the visitor.
Source · core
Send visitor notification
Send a notification message to the visitor. The message will look like a notification, and will not show up as coming from a particular operator.
Source · core
Allowed domains
Set which domains the chatbox will be displayed on. If your website spans multiple domains’ subdomains, you can choose which subdomains will work. Note that chats cannot continue across top-level domains.
Source · core
Configure the default language
You can change the language of the chatbox per page by using the following configuration call. If you want to change the language of the chatbox site wide you can do so from your Text & Forms settings.
Source · core
Enable Chat Ratings
Enable the post-chat survey on a specific page. You can also enable this on the Chat Ratings settings page.
Source · core
Enable Pre-chat Survey
You can enable the Pre-chat Survey feature on a specific page. This can also be done on your Text & Forms settings page. You can read more about using the Pre-chat Survey in our help section .
Source · core
Expand chatbox on load
Expand the chatbox by default when the page loads. Note that when the chatbox is expanded, Attention Grabber images are hidden. Also, sending a message will automatically expand the chatbox in all cases by default.
Source · core
Hide the minimize button
Normally the chatbox shows an icon in the top right corner that, when clicked, allows the user to minimize it. This configuration option allows you to remove that button so that, once the chatbox has been expanded, the user can not manually minimize it.
Source · core
Load chatbox in DOM element
Instead of having the Olark chat window fixed to the bottom corner of your page, Olark will instead search your page for an element with the ID olark-box-container and load the chatbox there instead.
Source · core
Page change notifications
Gives notifications about what page the visitor is on. By default, each time a visitor navigates to a new URL while on your site, this will be sent as a notification to your operator. Set to false to disable this behavior.
Source · core
Pre-chat visitor notifications
This will turn off all of the initial pre-chat notifications that give you visitor context - including location, current URL and number of previous conversations - allowing you to show just your own custom pre-chat information instead.
Source · core
Single page applications
Olark uses polling to check your visitor’s status while on your site. Visitors who leave your site, or have been idle for a long time without changing page, will eventually stop sending polling requests.
Source · core
Set Greeter Welcome Messages
Set the welcome messages to send to the visitors when the Greeter function activates. If you have more than 1 message enabled in the call, we will choose a random one to send to the visitor when they meet the greeter criteria.
Source · core
Dynamically add questions to your prechat survey with
Dynamically add questions to your prechat survey with system.custom_prechat . Pass an array of the questions you d like to add using the format below:
Source · core
Require email
Require visitors fill out their email address in the pre-chat survey before chatting. This requires the pre-chat survey to be enabled first. This setting can also be enabled on the pre-chat survey section of the Text & Forms settings page.
Source · core
Define Targeted Chat rules
Note: You can create Targeted Chat rules without any coding on the Targeted Chat settings page. Create Targeted Chat rules that help you automate decisions about how and when to interact with visitors and operators.
Source · core
Get visitor details
Gets the email address, full name, geolocation, and other details for this visitor. The value will be returned to the specified returnCallback .
Source · core
Adding a customer ID
For example, let’s say you have a customer tracking ID that you use for your internal reporting.
Source · core
Update visitor status
Add information to the visitor’s status in the operator’s buddy list.
Source · core
Alternatively, should you enable the slide out action
Alternatively, should you enable the slide out action on the Attention Grabber settings page, you can disable this animation per page by switching the true to false in the example above.
Source · core
Like the other Attention Grabber calls, this works
Like the other Attention Grabber calls, this works on a page by page basis. You can choose an offline Attention Grabber for use across the entire site in the Attention Grabber settings
Source · core
This call would be useful if you wanted
This call would be useful if you wanted a different image on a particular page, such as the contact page, or if you only wanted the Attention Grabber to appear on one page.
Source · core
This configure call will only accept a string
This configure call will only accept a string value indicating the size you would like to use.
Source · core
You can also configure the chatbox to take
You can also configure the chatbox to take up the full height of the web page and slide in from the side as opposed to the bottom, like a side drawer .
Source · core
You can enable a dark theme on a specific page
You can enable a dark theme on a specific page. You can also do this for your entire site from the Theme Settings Page .
Source · core
We have a more detailed click-to-chat tutorial in
We have a more detailed click-to-chat tutorial in our help section, including an example of a CSS-only implementation.
Source · core
You can also use our Targeted Chat tool
You can also use our Targeted Chat tool to hide the widget, without altering the code of your website.
Source · core
Should you wish to show the widget on
Should you wish to show the widget on specific pages, you can also create these rules using our Targeted Chat tool, instead of updating the code on your page.
Source · core
Locks the visitor to a specific group of operators
Locks the visitor to a specific group of operators. All messages from the visitor will now go to that group of operators instead of all operators.
Source · core
This example assumes that the Sales Group ID is abcdef123456
This example assumes that the Sales Group ID is abcdef123456 . You can find the Group ID on the operator configuration page .
Source · core
Note: This script may not work well without
Note: This script may not work well without routing to ALL operators enabled in the Setup page .
Source · core
For example, you would use onReady if you
For example, you would use onReady if you need to manipulate elements on your page only when you know for sure that Olark has loaded.
Source · core
While we encourage you to be as human
While we encourage you to be as human as possible during your interactions, and avoiding as much canned copy as you can, we do recognize the fact that sometimes something comes up and you cannot answer a visitor s chat right away.
Source · core
Commands must begin with an exclamation point
Commands must begin with an exclamation point ! and come at the start of a message. You can also see a list of the default operator commands in our help section.
Source · core
Here is an example of what it might
Here is an example of what it might look like with a little styling. In this example, we also added selectors to change the text as well as the color.
Source · core
Please note: This call will only fire if
Please note: This call will only fire if an operator s state changes. It cannot be queried.
Source · core
Use * as a wildcard
Use * as a wildcard. Separate multiple domains with commas, e.g. *.yourdomain.com,*.yourotherdomain.com .
Source · core
Note that by using the system.localization call our
Note that by using the system.localization call our default localization strings will be used. If you d like more granular control over chatbox strings check out our article on Changing the chatbox language .
Source · core
Note that when the chatbox is expanded, Attention
Note that when the chatbox is expanded, Attention Grabber images are hidden. Also, sending a message will automatically expand the chatbox in all cases by default.
Source · core
Note that by enabling this setting, visitors who
Note that by enabling this setting, visitors who click the link to the non-local URL will leave your website and no longer be able to chat with you.
Source · core
As an alternative, you can prepend any link
As an alternative, you can prepend any link you type into the chatbox with a + symbol (eg.
Source · core
On your Text & Forms settings page, you
On your Text & Forms settings page, you can add a target="_blank" attribute to a link to make it open in a new tab/window.
Source · core
You would use box.start_hidden when you don t
You would use box.start_hidden when you don t want the chatbox to show at all when the page loads.
Source · core
The type property refers to the type of
The type property refers to the type of question you would like to ask your visitors and is used in form styling and validation.
Source · core
The is_required property will mark a particular question
The is_required property will mark a particular question as required or not. Required fields will appear with a * inside the input field.
Source · core
The label property refers to the text above the input field
The label property refers to the text above the input field. This field is only necessary to pass for questions where the type is textarea and textfield .
Source · core
The placeholder_text property refers to the grey preview
The placeholder_text property refers to the grey preview text inside of the input field, to help prompt visitors to fill out the form.
Source · core
These questions will be added to your existing
These questions will be added to your existing prechat survey that you have built on the Text & Forms settings page.
Source · core
This setting can also be enabled on the
This setting can also be enabled on the pre-chat survey section of the Text & Forms settings page.
Source · core
To add fields dynamically to an offline form
To add fields dynamically to an offline form, you can use this same format outlined above but use the system.custom_offline_form configure call.
Source · core
Create Targeted Chat rules that help you automate
Create Targeted Chat rules that help you automate decisions about how and when to interact with visitors and operators.
Source · core
Geolocation information is provided to the best of
Geolocation information is provided to the best of our knowledge, based on the visitor s IP.
Source · core
Let s say you wanted to know when a particular customer (e.g
Let s say you wanted to know when a particular customer (e.g. Olark Joe) needed your assistance:
Source · core
Let s say you are targeting customers in
Let s say you are targeting customers in San José, the capital of Costa Rica (not San Jose in California):
Source · core
Note: Custom fields are not sent automatically to
Note: Custom fields are not sent automatically to CRM integrations. Custom fields will, however, be sent with Webhooks by default. Once set up, Custom fields are sent to the CRM only, they do not appear in the chat console .
Source · core webhooks integrations
For example, if you were using PHP and
For example, if you were using PHP and pulled the visitor s name from your own database, you might write:
Source · core
Add information to the visitor s nickname in
Add information to the visitor s nickname in the operator s buddy list. You can only set a snippet of the nickname, since other extensions may be trying to update the nickname at the same time.
Source · core
Let s say you want to highlight valuable
Let s say you want to highlight valuable visitors in your buddy list. For example you have already paid money for a visitor to click on your AdWords campaign, or when they search for the term buying widgets :
Source · core
The Olark chat console automatically tries to detect
The Olark chat console automatically tries to detect email addresses, storing them as the visitor s information.
Source · core
AI features (3)
Powerful AI and Automation
Live Demo Arrow Right The plan that's perfect for any organization that needs AI-powered automation.
Source · ai automation
Everything in Olark Standard, PLUS
Powerful chatbots, AI & automation All Powerups included Dedicated account manager Live training Professional services including legal and procurement Video chat, SMS, or call us for help Custom chat routing First priority in our support queue
Source · ai automation
The plan that s perfect for any organization
The plan that s perfect for any organization that needs AI-powered automation. We leverage the latest in AI and accessibility to provide a customized chat experience, featuring automated bots.
Source · ai automation
Integrations (52)
API Functions
Show titles Show API calls Attention Grabber Attention Grabber animation CalloutBubble_slide Attention Grabber image height CalloutBubble_bubble_height Attention Grabber image width CalloutBubble_bubble_width Enable Attention Grabber features_attention_grabber
Source · integrations api
Enable Attention Grabber
You can enable the Attention Grabber on a page by page basis using this API call.
Source · integrations api
Expand the chatbox
Expands the chatbox to its fully expanded height. It will also show the chatbox if not already visible, in the same way as api.box.show .
Source · integrations api
Click to chat link
A classic use of the Javascript API is to make your own click-to-chat button. Clicking this button will show the Olark chatbox and expand it to its maximum height.
Source · integrations api
Click-to-minimize button
If you have your own click to chat button, you might also want to make click to minimize button: <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="olark('api.box.shrink')"> Minimize chat </a> Minimize the chat box olark('api.box.shrink')
Source · integrations api
Track when visitors expand your Olark widget
If you are trying to track when visitors interact with the Olark widget, to perhaps test out different methods of presenting the widget, you can use this following example to do so. <script> olark('api.box.onExpand', function(event) { // Example code yourAnaly
Source · integrations api
Notify an operator when a visitor closes the chat box
You can notify your operator that the visitor has closed the chatbox if you have already started chatting: <script> // Checks to see if the coversation has started olark('api.chat.onBeginConversation', function(){ // Triggers when the chat box has been hidden
Source · integrations api
Track when visitors minimize your Olark widget
If you are trying to track when visitors shrink the Olark widget, to perhaps track via analytics the efficacy of different auto-messaging rules, you can use this following example to do so. <script> olark('api.box.onShrink', function(event) { // Example code y
Source · integrations api
Show the chatbox on error
If a visitor runs into an error, you might want to make sure that the chatbox is displayed: <script> // If you have a script that returns error codes, show the Olark chatbox if (errorOnPage) { olark('api.box.show'); } </script> Unhide the chat box olark('api.b
Source · integrations api
Choose operator group by button click
When the visitor clicks the Talk to our Sales Team button, lock to the Sales Group specifically. <script> document.getElementById('talk-to-sales').onclick = function() { olark('api.chat.setOperatorGroup', { group: 'abcdef123456' }); olark('api.box.expand'); }
Source · integrations api
Track visitors who send you an offline message
Use your favorite analytics software to keep track of visitors who have sent an offline message to an operator (since they might be more valuable): <script> olark('api.chat.onOfflineMessageToOperator', function(event) { // Example code yourAnalytics.track("sen
Source · integrations api
On chatbox load
Use this API call to detect when the Olark chatbox has loaded. You can create your own callback function once the onReady event fires.
Source · integrations api
Track messages to operators
Use your favorite analytics system to keep track of visitors who have sent a message to an operator (since they might be more valuable): <script> olark('api.chat.onMessageToOperator', function(event) { yourAnalytics.track("chatted_with_operator"); }); </script
Source · integrations api
Track positive reactions
Maybe you want to keep track of positive vs. negative reactions. You could watch when people send you smileys, indicating that they are happy: <script> olark('api.chat.onMessageToOperator', function(event) { if (event.message.body.indexOf(":)") != -1) { yourAn
Source · integrations api
Track operator response times
Use your favorite analytics system to keep track of how long it takes an operator to respond to a visitor: <script> olark('api.chat.onMessageToOperator', function(event) { // Get the timestamp for when the visitor sends a message var visitorSentAt = +new Date
Source · integrations api
Push the visitor to your FAQ page
Use the command !faq to send a visitor to your FAQ page: <script> olark('api.chat.onCommandFromOperator', function(event) { // Checks for the !faq command if (event.command.name == 'faq') { // Let the customer know what you're about to do olark('api.chat.sendM
Source · integrations api
Make a comment to follow up with a visitor
Create a custom followup command to add some notes about following up with this customer to your CRM: <script> olark('api.chat.onCommandFromOperator', function(event) { // Checks for the !comment command if (event.command.name == 'comment') { // This is an exa
Source · integrations api
Trigger an automated message
Send a welcome message whenever a visitor clicks on a help me button: <!-- HTML button --> <a id="help-me" href="#">Live chat help</a> <script> document.getElementById('help-me').onclick = function() { olark('api.chat.sendMessageToVisitor', { body: "Let me kno
Source · integrations api
Notify operator on landing pages
You can send your operator a notification when the visitor lands on a particular page, such as a landing page: <script> // Checks if the current URL contains 'landing' if (document.location.href.indexOf('landing') != -1) { olark('api.chat.sendNotificationToOpe
Source · integrations api
Notify operators on landing pages after one minute
Perhaps you want to notify an operator when a visitor is hesitating on a page for more than 60 seconds, so you can choose to initiate a chat with them: <script> // Create a timer setTimeout(function(){ olark('api.chat.sendNotificationToOperator', { // Send a c
Source · integrations api
Notify a visitor if no immediate response
Assure a visitor that the operator will be back later if there is no response from an operator in 60 seconds: <script> // Set a timer variable var lastMessageTimeout; // Wait for a message to the visitor olark('api.chat.onMessageToVisitor', function(){ // If a
Source · integrations api
Set operator group
Set the group before the chatbox loads. You can get the ID for each group by clicking on it from the Operator settings page. This differs from the setOperatorGroup API call in that it can only be done before the chatbox loads.
Source · integrations api
Start chatbox hidden
Suppose you usually show the chatbox, but wish to hide it on specific pages. You can do so using the following Javascript API function. You can enable this option on your Setup page as Hide the chatbox by default .
Source · integrations api
Enable Google Analytics
Use this API call to enable the Google Analytics integration on a single page. You can also enable this in your Google Analytics Extension settings .
Source · integrations api
Enable Greeter
Enable the Greeter on a specific page. You can also enable this on the Greeter extension page.
Source · integrations
Notify operators of first-time visitors
If the Greeter function is enabled, you can use this call to enable/disable the advanced notification per page. You can also enable this on the Greeter extension page.
Source · integrations
Set Greeter delay in seconds
Set the time after which the Greeter message will be sent to first-time visitors on your site. You can also enable this on the Greeter extension page.
Source · integrations
Switch on the Greeter
Use this call to switch the Greeter on. You can then use the calls below to control how the Greeter behaves. You can also enable this on the Greeter extension page.
Source · integrations
Start a conversation with a visitor after 5 pageviews
Let’s say you wanted to auto-initiate with any visitor who has visited 5 pages without talking to an operator, since maybe he is confused: <script> olark('api.rules.defineRule', { // Specify a unique ID for this rule. // This helps the API to keep your r
Source · integrations api
Start a conversation on specific pages
Maybe you would like to hide the chatbox on certain pages, but only if the visitor is not already chatting: <script> olark('api.rules.defineRule', { // Specify a unique ID for this rule. // This helps the API to keep your rules separate from each other. id: '2
Source · integrations api
Notify operators about a certain visitor
Let’s say you wanted to know when a particular customer (e.g. Olark Joe) needed your assistance: <script> olark('api.visitor.getDetails', function(details){ // Check for an email address if (details.emailAddress == "[email protected]") { olark('api.chat.send
Source · integrations api
Target customers in Costa Rica
Let’s say you are targeting customers in San José, the capital of Costa Rica (not San Jose in California): <script> olark('api.visitor.getDetails', function(details){ // Check that both conditions are true if (details.city == "San José" && details.region
Source · integrations api
Target customers in Japan
Suppose you are targeting customers in Japan. You can either use the country name or the country code: <script> olark('api.visitor.getDetails', function(details){ if (details.country == "Japan" || details.countryCode == "JP") { olark('api.chat.sendNotification
Source · integrations api
Update CRM custom fields
If you have custom data that you want to keep track of for a visitor, such as an internal customer ID or some internal data, you can give it to Olark using this API. Note: Custom fields are not sent automatically to CRM integrations.
Source · integrations api
Update the visitor’s email address
You can grab information from your registered users and send it to Olark. <script> olark('api.visitor.updateEmailAddress', { emailAddress: '[email protected]' }); </script> Set the visitor's email olark('api.visitor.updateEmailAddress', { emailAddress: string
Source · integrations api
Update visitor nickname
Important Note: updateVisitorNickname is best used to display visitor information other than name and email in the buddy list. To display a name and/or email in the buddy list use api.visitor.updateFullName and api.visitor.updateEmailAddress respectively.
Source · integrations api
Display number of items in a shopping cart
To show custom information, like the number of items somebody has in their shopping cart: <script> olark('api.chat.updateVisitorStatus', { snippet: 'has 10 items in cart' }); </script> Do you have multiple pieces of information?
Source · integrations api
We offer a powerful Javascript API that gives
We offer a powerful Javascript API that gives you flexibility and control over the behavior of the Olark chat box.
Source · integrations api
We encourage developers to write their own JavaScript
We encourage developers to write their own JavaScript to extend the Olark functionality on their sites. We’re very excited when we see examples of the API used in creative ways. Let us know if you have an interesting implementation and we may publish it.
Source · integrations api
If you need to work with multiple languages
If you need to work with multiple languages, use our API to localize language strings .
Source · integrations api
This only works if you either, have the
This only works if you either, have the Attention Grabber switched on in the Attention Grabber settings , or are using the API call to Enable the Attention Grabber .
Source · integrations api
Using this API call overrides any existing Targeted
Using this API call overrides any existing Targeted Chat rules that may hide the chatbox.
Source · integrations api
To make your own click-to-chat button, add the
To make your own click-to-chat button, add the api.box.expand call as the value for the onclick event:
Source · integrations api
If these statistics sounds cool to you, you
If these statistics sounds cool to you, you should probably try enabling our Google Analytics plugin for a more in-depth integration with Google Analytics.
Source · integrations
You can find our complete instructions to embed
You can find our complete instructions to embed the Olark widget on your website here
Source · integrations
This differs from the setOperatorGroup API call in
This differs from the setOperatorGroup API call in that it can only be done before the chatbox loads.
Source · integrations api
The api.box.hide function is useful for when the
The api.box.hide function is useful for when the chatbox has already loaded on a site and you wish to hide it again.
Source · integrations api
Note: We’ll do our best to help with any questions you have
Note: We’ll do our best to help with any questions you have. However, please keep in mind that the API is intended to be self-serve for web developers, so we’re not able to write or debug your code.
Source · integrations api
Even if the pre-chat survey is enabled in
Even if the pre-chat survey is enabled in your settings, you would need to enable the plugin using this line to use the system.ask_for_email API call:
Source · integrations api
Be sure to check out the getDetails API
Be sure to check out the getDetails API call to learn how to access detailed customer information for making creative rules.
Source · integrations api
The name, email and phone number fields are
The name, email and phone number fields are the last-known visitor information, either from your pre-chat survey, a completed offline message form, or previously updated via the API.
Source · integrations api
Note: As part of our effort to remove
Note: As part of our effort to remove personally identifiable information from our API, this call no longer provides access to the visitor s IP address.
Source · integrations api
Automation and workflows (3)
Save time with automation
Use Olark's easy-to-configure live chat automation rules to engage more customers and speed up your workflow.
Source · automation
options.perpage make this true if the action is
options.perpage make this true if the action is only supposed to trigger once per page.
Source · automation
options.pervisit make this true if the action is
options.pervisit make this true if the action is only supposed to trigger once per visit OR:
Source · automation
Reporting and analytics (14)
Learn from live chat analytics
Olark's detailed live chat reports update in real time, so you can monitor chat volume, customer satisfaction, and agent activity as often as you need to make smart staffing and prioritization decisions — or have summary reports delivered straight to your inbo
Source · reporting
Uncover actionable insights in transcripts
Live chat transcripts are full of actionable product feedback and information about your customers.
Source · reporting
Keep your entire team on track
Managing a larger chat team? Olark makes it easy to distribute chats and monitor team performance, and our Shortcuts system gives everyone access to a shared database of canned responses for quick, consistent replies.
Source · reporting
Olark gives you simple, functional live chat features
Olark gives you simple, functional live chat features for sales, marketing, and support — chatbox customization, automated messages, real-time visitor insights, searchable transcripts, and reporting.
Source · reporting real-time
Dynamically change the chatbox language
You can dynamically change the chatbox language after the page has loaded. By using this call the default localization strings provided by Olark will be used and will override any text you have set in the Text & Forms dashboard.
Source · reporting dashboard
On operator command
Whenever a command is sent from the visitor, e.g. !track this is a lead , this will call the given callback with an event object. Commands must begin with an exclamation point ! and come at the start of a message.
Source · reporting
Set Google Analytics ID
Set the Google Analytics ID for your account on a specific page. For example, you might have separate domains using the same Olark account, but different Google Analytics IDs. <?php // Get the current domain $host = $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST']; if ($host == "example
Source · reporting
Update visitor email
Keep track of an email address for this visitor, to link it with your CRM cases and display in the visitor list.
Source · reporting
Update visitor name
Keep track of a full name for this visitor, to link it with your CRM cases and display in the buddy list.
Source · reporting
Update visitor phone
Keep track of a phone number for this visitor, to link it with your transcripts and display in the visitor list.
Source · reporting
You could just as easily replace the onHide
You could just as easily replace the onHide call, to be onShrink if you wanted to report to the operator when the visitors minimizes the chat widget.
Source · reporting
Or, you could send a message back explaining
Or, you could send a message back explaining that no-one is around, and point the visitor to your help center
Source · reporting
For example, you might have separate domains using
For example, you might have separate domains using the same Olark account, but different Google Analytics IDs.
Source · reporting
Check out our related help guide for this here
Check out our related help guide for this here . You can also view advanced troubleshooting help for Google Analytics + Olark here .
Source · reporting
Security and compliance (1)
Does Olark have administrator accounts
Olark has two role permission levels : agents with basic access and agents with administrative access.
Source · security permissions
Administration (2)
Can I install Olark on more than one website
Yes! You can add Olark to as many domains and subdomains as you want, and manage chats across all domains from one account — there is no price increase for installing Olark on more than one domain.
Source · admin
Note that chats cannot continue across top-level domains
Note that chats cannot continue across top-level domains. In order for chats to go from a top-level domain to a subdomain, the top-level domain cannot be a naked domain (i.e. the URL should be http://www.example.com , not http://example.com ).
Source · admin
See Olark pricing in detail
This page lists what Olark does. For per-seat math, tier comparison, and the full hidden-fee list, see the Olark pricing breakdown.
Closest alternatives
Other customer support tools buyers shortlist when they evaluate Olark.
Sources
Features evolve. Confirm directly with the vendor before purchase decisions. This list was last refreshed on 2026-05-27.
Frequently asked questions
What features does Olark include?
This page tracks 178 verified Olark features across 7 categories, sourced from Olark's official site.
Which tier do I need for Olark?
Olark's feature availability varies by plan. Compare the public Olark tiers, calculator, and hidden fees on the Olark pricing page.
How does Olark compare on features to alternatives?
Buyers commonly compare Olark against LiveChat, Tidio, Smartsupp. Each alternative's feature page is linked below where we cover it.