Google Join Waitlist Feature
The Google Join Waitlist feature allows customers to add themselves to the waitlist from their Google search. Typically you will see this option in your settings within 24 hours of starting a paid subscription. (If you've just upgraded and you're not seeing this in your settings, you can toggle over to Ask in this widget and send us a message so we can turn that on sooner for you). Once you enable the feature, it can take 24-48 hours for the button to show up on your Google Business Profile.
The Join Waitlist button will be available during the Business Hours you have set with Google. Have an upcoming closure or special holiday hours? Make sure to update your Google profile with those. If you need to enable or update your Google Business Profile, you can see more information on that here.
When guests use the button to Join Waitlist, Google will display the number of parties on the list (and will not display any other type of estimated wait time). Google will not allow people to join the list unless there is already a party on the list (to prevent you from accumulating a waitlist when you aren't using Waitlist Me at the moment) but will instead display a message inviting guests to come on in.
Your Waitlist Me settings will allow you to set a maximum party size limit (the default is 20), and select whether requests are auto-approved. If you turn off auto-approve, you will have 10 minutes to review and accept/reject requests. Requests are automatically approved if they are not addressed within 10 minutes.
The text messages that go to customers will be the same ones that go to your other waitlist customers. The confirmation text message that goes out when someone joins the list is set to Off by default; you can turn that on in the settings (under Notifications online, or under Customization > Notifications in the app).
On your main waitlist screen, for any parties that joined from Google you'll see 'Google' in the far left status column, under the status color.
Once turned on, if you decide to turn the feature off, the button will be deactivated immediately. It can take up to 24 hours to disappear from your Google Business Profile.