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What is fallback intent and when should it trigger?

Asked on Sep 29, 2025

Answer

A fallback intent is a predefined response used in chatbot platforms like Dialogflow to handle situations where the user's input doesn't match any existing intents. It acts as a safety net to ensure the conversation continues smoothly by providing a generic response or guiding the user back on track.

Example Concept: A fallback intent is triggered when the chatbot cannot confidently match a user's input with any specific intent. This typically occurs when the input is ambiguous, off-topic, or outside the scope of the chatbot's training data. The fallback intent provides a default response, often prompting the user to rephrase their query or offering help options to guide the conversation.

Additional Comment:
  • Fallback intents are crucial for maintaining user engagement and preventing frustration.
  • They should be designed to be polite and helpful, encouraging users to try again.
  • Regularly review fallback triggers to improve training data and reduce their occurrence.
✅ Answered with Chatbot best practices.

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