Quick Start Guide: Live Conversation (New Experience)

Learn how to recruit participants, launch sessions, and moderate Live Conversations to get actionable insights.

This article applies to: ut logo tiny.pngUserTesting 

On this page:

 


 

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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