| Learn how to recruit participants, launch sessions, and moderate Live Conversations to get actionable insights. |
This article applies to: UserTesting
On this page:
- Path 1: Recruiting from UserTesting Network
- Path 2: Your Own Participants, Unscheduled Sessions
- Path 3: Your Own Participants, Scheduled Sessions
- Path 4: Your Own Participants, Scheduled Sessions with Screeners
- Quick reference: Choose the right path
Path 1: Recruiting from UserTesting Network
Use this path when you want UserTesting to recruit and schedule participants for you.
Before launch
Create your Live Conversation
- From your dashboard, click Create test > Live Conversation
- Enter a test name, select a device, and choose a language
Set up your audience
- Go to the Audience tab and click Add
- Select UserTesting Network
- Define your target criteria, number of participants, and optional screener questions
- Set confidentiality terms
Add availability (required)
- Go to the Scheduler tab
- Click + Add availability or drag time blocks on the calendar
- Set your time zone, session length, buffer time, and advanced options
Review and launch
- Click Review, then Launch & get links
-
A warning appears if more availability is needed
After launch
Monitor bookings
- Booked sessions appear on the Scheduler tab
- You’ll receive email notifications as participants book sessions
- Use the Monitor tab to track participant progress (qualification, booked, completed)
- Look for drop-off points to see where participants leave the flow
Share your Team link
- Copy your Team link from the Monitor tab
- Share it with co-moderators and observers
Join your session
- Join from the booking email, calendar invite, Scheduler tab, or Team link
- Select your role (Moderator, Co-moderator, or Observer) and enter your display name
- The Join session button becomes active when the session start time is reached and the participant is in the lobby
Review results
- Go to the Results tab to view recordings, AI summaries, clips, and transcripts
- Use the Actions menu (...) to share, download, or export session data
Links for this path
Team link
- For you (moderator), co-moderators, and observers.
- Access it from the session booked email, the calendar invite, the Scheduler tab, or the Monitor tab.
➡️ Tip: The more time slots you add, the faster participants can book. You will receive an email confirmation each time a participant books a session, and a reminder email 1 hour before your first session on the day.
Path 2: Invite your own participants (unscheduled)
Use this path when you schedule sessions outside UserTesting and run them on demand.
Before launch
Create your Live Conversation
- From your dashboard, click Create test > Live Conversation
- Enter a test name, select a device, and choose a language
Set up your audience
- Go to the Audience tab and click Add
- Select Invite via link (your own participants)
- Set the number of participants
- Do not add screener questions (use Path 4 if needed)
Set session length
- Go to the Scheduler tab
- Do not add availability time blocks
- Use the Session controls panel to set your session length
Review and launch
- Click Review, then Launch & get links
After launch
Get your session links
- Go to the Monitor tab and click Run an unscheduled session
- Copy the participant link and share it with your participant
- Copy the Team link to share with co-moderators and observers
Start a session
- From the modal, click Start session
Join your session
- Use the Team link to enter the lobby
- Select your role (Moderator, Co-moderator, or Observer) and enter your display name
- The Join session button becomes active when the participant enters the lobby
Review results
- Go to the Results tab to view recordings, AI summaries, clips, and transcripts
Links for this path
Participant link
- Found in the unscheduled session modal (Monitor tab > Run an unscheduled session)
- Share with your participant to take them directly to the session lobby
Team link
- Used by moderators, co-moderators, and observers
- Available in the unscheduled session modal on the Monitor tab
➡️ Note: Unscheduled sessions are only available when inviting your own participants via link
Path 3: Invite your own participants (scheduled)
Use this path when participants choose a time from your availability.
Before launch
Create your Live Conversation
- From your dashboard, click Create test > Live Conversation
- Enter a test name, select a device, and choose a language
Set up your audience
- Go to the Audience tab and click Add
- Select Invite via link (your own participants)
- Set the number of participants
- Do not add screener questions (use Path 4 if needed)
Add availability
- Go to the Scheduler tab
- Click + Add availability or drag time blocks
- Set your time zone, session length, buffer time, and advanced options
After launch
Share the participant link
- Go to the Monitor tab and click Get links
- Copy the participant link and share it with your participants
- Participants use it to select a time from your availability
Monitor bookings
- Booked sessions appear on the Scheduler tab
- You’ll receive email notifications as participants book sessions
- Use the Monitor tab to track participant progress and identify drop-off points
Join your session
- Join from the booking email, calendar invite, Scheduler tab, or Team link
- Select your role and enter your display name
- The Join session button becomes active when the session start time is reached and the participant is in the lobby
Review results
- Go to the Results tab to view recordings, AI summaries, clips, and transcripts
Links for this path
Participant link
- Share with your participants
- Used to select a time from your availability
Team link
- Used by moderators, co-moderators, and observers
- Available in booking emails, calendar invites, Scheduler tab, and Monitor tab
➡️ Note: If you want participants to schedule their own time and complete screener questions, use Path 4 instead.
Path 4: Invite your own participants (scheduled with screeners)
Use this path when you want participants to qualify before booking a session.
Before launch
Create your Live Conversation
- From your dashboard, click Create test > Live Conversation
- Enter a test name, select a device, and choose a language
Set up your audience
- Go to the Audience tab and click Add
- Select Invite via link (your own participants)
- Set the number of participants
- Add screener questions and set confidentiality terms
Add availability (required)
- Go to the Scheduler tab
- Click + Add availability or drag time blocks
- Set your time zone, session length, buffer time, and advanced options
Review and launch
- Click Review, then Launch & get links
After launch
Share the participant link
- Go to the Monitor tab and click Get links
- Copy the participant link and share it with your participants
- Participants complete screener questions before selecting a time
- Qualified participants can select a time from your availability
Monitor bookings
- Booked sessions appear on the Scheduler tab
- You’ll receive email notifications as participants book sessions
- Use the Monitor tab to track participant progress and identify drop-off points
Join your session
- Join from the booking email, calendar invite, Scheduler tab, or Team link
- Select your role and enter your display name
- The Join session button becomes active when the session start time is reached and the participant is in the lobby
Review results
- Go to the Results tab to view recordings, AI summaries, clips, and transcripts
Links for this path
Participant link
- Share with your participants
- Participants complete screeners, then select a time if they qualify
Team link
- Used by moderators, co-moderators, and observers
- Available in booking emails, calendar invites, Scheduler tab, and Monitor tab
➡️ Tip: Use screeners to qualify participants before they book time slots
Quick reference: Choose the right path
Use this table to quickly choose the right setup for your test
| Scenario | Participant source | Availability needed | Session type | Path |
| I want UserTesting to recruit participants | UserTesting Network | Yes | Scheduled | 1 |
| I have my own participants and I’m scheduling outside UserTesting | Your own participants | No | Unscheduled | 2 |
| I have my own participants and want them to choose a time | Your own participants | Yes | Scheduled | 3 |
| I have my own participants and want to screen them and choose a time | Your own participants | Yes | Scheduled | 4 |
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