> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.callers.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Improve answer rates

> Get more outbound calls answered with local presence, healthy numbers, pre-call chat, smart calling windows, retries, and voicemail.

Your agent can only help contacts who pick up. Answer rates depend on who appears to be calling, when you call, how often, and whether the contact expects the call. This page covers the settings in Callers that move those numbers.

> [!TIP]
>
> Track **Connect Rate** in the agents list and agent results before and after each change, so you know what helped.

## Show a number contacts trust

### Use local presence

Contacts are more likely to answer a number from their own area. If you have numbers in several area codes, choose a dialing strategy in the agent's phone number settings.

| Strategy | What it does | Best for |
| - | - | - |
| **Rotate Numbers** (default) | Spreads calls across your number pool, using the least recently used number first. | Even wear on all numbers; a pool without regional coverage. |
| **Prefer Local Numbers** | Uses a number that matches the contact's area code. If several match, rotates between them. | Lists concentrated in regions where you have local numbers. |
| **Auto Optimize** | Learns which numbers get better pickup rates for each area code and time of day, and prioritizes them automatically. | Larger pools and lists where you want the system to find what works. |

### Spread volume across numbers

Calling many people from one number in a short time increases the chance that carriers or call-blocking apps label it as spam. Give high-volume agents several numbers and let **Rotate Numbers** or **Auto Optimize** spread the load. Add numbers before raising **Max Outgoing Calls in Parallel**.

### Check numbers for spam flags

A number flagged as spam may be blocked or shown with a warning, which lowers answer rates. Check numbers from the phone numbers list or the agent's phone number selector. A flagged number shows **SPAM** or **Spam Risk Detected**.

* Replace flagged numbers or take them out of rotation.
* Turn on notifications so you hear when a number is flagged. See [Notifications](https://docs.callers.ai/documentation/account/notifications.md).
* Re-check numbers after large sends.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Spam checks are enabled per account. Contact [support@callers.ai](mailto:support@callers.ai) to turn them on.

See [Phone numbers and caller ID](https://docs.callers.ai/documentation/contacts/phone-numbers-and-caller-id.md).

## Ask first with pre-call chat

Pre-call chat sends a short SMS or WhatsApp message before the agent dials, asking whether the contact is open to a call. Contacts who agree expect the call and are much more likely to answer. Contacts who decline aren't called, which saves attempts and protects your numbers.

| Outcome | What you configure |
| - | - |
| Agreed to receive a voice call | Call at the next working window, or turn on **Allow calling outside working hours** to call right away. |
| No response after (1–1440 minutes, default 5) | **Proceed with voice call anyways**, try within working hours, or **Do not call**. You can also send a nudge. |
| Refused a voice call | **Do not call**: the attempt is marked accordingly. |

Pre-call chat needs an SMS or WhatsApp channel connected to your account. Write the first message as a person would: who you are, why you're calling, and a simple question.

> Hi `{{first_name}}`, it's Sam from Acme about your quote request. Is now a good time for a quick call?

See [Pre-call chat](https://docs.callers.ai/documentation/build-your-agent/pre-call-chat.md).

## Call when people answer

### Set calling windows

In the agent's **Availability** settings, add time slots for each day. Avoid early mornings, late evenings, and times your audience is unlikely to pick up. For B2B lists, business hours usually work best; for consumers, early evening often does.

### Use the contact's time zone

Turn on **Use Contact's Time Zone** to apply your calling windows in each contact's local time. Callers estimates the time zone from the phone number's country and area code, and uses the agent's time zone as a fallback.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Calling windows are also a compliance control. Many jurisdictions restrict calling hours. See [Compliance](https://docs.callers.ai/documentation/best-practices/compliance.md).

## Retry with a sensible cadence

Most contacts don't answer the first call. Retries catch them at a better moment, but too many calls too close together annoy contacts and can get numbers flagged.

| Setting | What it does | Default |
| - | - | - |
| **Total Dial Attempts** | Maximum attempts per contact. | 5 |
| **Min Wait Time Between Dial Attempts** | Minimum gap between attempts. | 90 minutes |
| **Max Daily Dial Attempts** | Maximum attempts per contact per day (up to 50). | 3 |
| Per-day schedule | Different daily limits for day 1, day 2, and following days. | — |
| **Continue Dialing Attempts after "Call Later"** | Keep dialing a contact whose call was classified as Call Later. | — |

Practical patterns:

* Vary the time of day between attempts. If the morning call fails, try the afternoon.
* Front-load attempts in the first few days, then taper off.
* Pair retries with **Auto Optimize** so the system learns the best hours.

See [Scheduling and retries](https://docs.callers.ai/documentation/contacts/scheduling-and-retries.md).

## Use every number you have

A contact can have more than one phone number, for example mobile and office. Callers tries the contact's numbers in sequence, so a contact who doesn't answer one number can still be reached on another. Include all known numbers when you [upload contacts](https://docs.callers.ai/documentation/using-callers/uploading-contacts.md).

## Make voicemail work for you

A good voicemail turns a missed call into a callback or a pickup on the next attempt. In the agent's voice settings, turn on **Leave message if reaching voicemail** and choose when to leave it:

| Option | When to use it |
| - | - |
| **Whenever voicemail is detected** | Short sequences where each message adds something. Turn on **Rephrase message with AI** so the wording varies. |
| **First detected voicemail only** | Most outbound agents. Introduces you once without repeating. |
| **On the final scheduled call (if voicemail is detected)** | Leave one message after all other attempts fail. |

Keep the message under 20 seconds: who you are, why you called, and what happens next ("I'll try you again tomorrow" or "I'll text you the details").
See [Voicemail and screening](https://docs.callers.ai/documentation/voice/voicemail-and-screening.md).

## Checklist

> [!TIP]
>
> Numbers cover your contacts' main area codes, with a dialing strategy chosen.

> [!TIP]
>
> Volume is spread across enough numbers, and numbers are checked for spam flags.

> [!TIP]
>
> Pre-call chat is on where you have consent to text.

> [!TIP]
>
> Calling windows use the contact's time zone.

> [!TIP]
>
> Retries vary the time of day and stop at a sensible total.

> [!TIP]
>
> All known numbers per contact are uploaded.

> [!TIP]
>
> Voicemail strategy is set and the message is short.

## Related

> **[Phone numbers and caller ID](https://docs.callers.ai/documentation/contacts/phone-numbers-and-caller-id.md)**
>
> Number sources, dialing strategy, and spam checks.

> **[Scheduling and retries](https://docs.callers.ai/documentation/contacts/scheduling-and-retries.md)**
>
> Calling windows, time zones, and attempts.

> **[Pre-call chat](https://docs.callers.ai/documentation/build-your-agent/pre-call-chat.md)**
>
> Ask by text before you call.

> **[Compliance](https://docs.callers.ai/documentation/best-practices/compliance.md)**
>
> Consent, calling hours, and DNC.


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