What is Askable Sessions?
Askable Sessions is Askable's built-in video call tool for moderated research. It runs in the browser, so neither you nor your participants need to download anything. Meeting links are generated and sent out automatically, sessions can be recorded to your Askable account, and recordings come with transcripts, notes and playback built in.
What do I need for the best experience?
Use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge on a desktop or laptop.
Make sure your browser has camera and microphone permission. See Askable Sessions Troubleshooting.
Participants complete a tech check before their session, so they arrive ready to go.
What are the user roles?
Participant
The person taking part in the session. They need an Askable account and a confirmed booking.
They can message you through the in-session chat.
One participant per call.
Facilitator
The person running the session. Facilitators need an Askable account on your team.
Facilitators can record the call, take notes, message the participant and admit observers.
Multiple facilitators can join the same call.
Observer
Someone watching or taking notes. Observers do not need an Askable account, they just enter their name.
They wait in a holding state until a facilitator admits them.
They cannot turn on their camera or microphone, and they are hidden from the call layout. Their name does appear in the attendee list, which all attendees can see.
Multiple observers can join the same call.
Where do I find the facilitator and observer links?
In your study's participant list, open the dropdown menu next to the confirmed participant and copy the facilitator link or observer link for that session. You can also copy both links from the call details panel inside the call itself.
Facilitator link: for teammates who need to speak or appear on camera. They must be part of your Askable team and logged in. If they open the link while logged out, they can log in from the lobby or join as an observer instead.
Observer link: for stakeholders and notetakers. No account needed.
Can observers speak or be seen?
No. Observers cannot turn on their camera or microphone at any point. This prevents disruptions for the participant. If someone needs to speak during the session, they should join as a facilitator instead, which requires an Askable account on your team.
Do I need to send meeting links to participants?
No, we handle that. Participants are emailed their session link 15 minutes before the start time, and they can also join from their Askable account or the Askable mobile app. If a participant says they have no link, send them this article: I haven't received the link to join my session.
Is the in-session chat visible to the participant?
Yes. The in-session chat is between you and the participant, it is not an internal channel. It is a handy way to share prototype or survey links mid-session. Note that sent messages cannot be edited or deleted, so double check links before sending. See How to share prototypes with participants.
Are my interviews recorded?
Recording is not automatic. You start it whenever the moment feels right: join the session, build rapport, then click Record Call in the top left of the call interface. A timer confirms the session is being captured. Once recording has started, it cannot be stopped for the rest of that session.
You can also control what gets captured (camera, microphone, screen) from your study's ⋯ menu under Recording settings.
Can participants share their screen?
Yes. Any attendee except observers can share their screen, one at a time. Screen shares are included in the session recording.
Can I join a session from my phone?
Facilitators currently need a desktop or laptop. Participants on mobile-only studies join through the Askable mobile app.
How do I access my recording and transcript?
Once the session has ended and everyone has left the call, click View session next to the participant's name in the participant list. This opens playback with the recording, transcript and your notes.
My recording isn't showing yet. Why?
Three common reasons, in order:
Someone is still in the call. Processing only starts once every attendee has exited.
It's still processing. Processing time depends on the session length. Check back shortly.
Recording was never started. Recording is manual; if no one clicked Record Call and saw the timer, there is no recording.
If everyone left a while ago, you started the recording, and it still says no playback video is available, contact us via the ? icon in the bottom left and select Contact support. Include the study title, participant name, session date and time, and a screenshot of the error so we can investigate quickly.
What if I have more questions?
Reach out via live chat: click the ? icon in the bottom left of the app and select Contact support.