Using labels to organize

Updated Oct 20, 20264 min read
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Labels are color-coded tags you stick on conversations. Quick visual categorization, plus filterable and automatable. Examples: 'VIP', 'refund', 'bug-report', 'urgent'. Multi-label per conversation: a conversation can be both 'refund' and 'urgent' at once. Different from custom attributes (structured fields), labels are unstructured markers.

Labels are color-coded tags you can apply to conversations for quick categorization and filtering. Whether you're managing a handful of support requests or hundreds of conversations across multiple channels, labels help your team stay organized, prioritize work, and find relevant threads in seconds. Think of them as flexible folders that can be layered onto any conversation.

Creating labels

  1. Navigate to Settings > Labels from your Deskwoot dashboard.
  2. Click 'Add Label'.
  3. Enter a descriptive name for the label (e.g., Refund Request, VIP Customer, Bug Report).
  4. Choose a color that makes the label easy to spot at a glance.
  5. Save your new label. It will now be available across your workspace.

Applying labels

  1. Open any conversation from your inbox.
  2. In the Details tab of the right panel, click the + (Add label) next to Labels.
  3. Pick a label to add it to the conversation; repeat to add more. To remove a label, click the × on its badge.

Labels appear as colored badges in the conversation's Details tab, and as colored dots (up to 3) on the conversation's row in your inbox list.

Filtering conversations by label

Once labels are applied, you can use them to filter your inbox. Click a label name under Labels in the inbox panel next to the conversation list to display only conversations tagged with that label. This is especially useful when you want to focus on a particular category, such as all open billing inquiries or escalated issues.

Best practices

  • Keep names short and clear: Use concise, consistent naming conventions so every team member understands what each label represents.
  • Use distinct colors: Assign unique colors to high-priority labels (e.g., red for urgent issues) so they stand out in a busy inbox.
  • Don't over-label: Stick to a manageable set of labels. Too many can create clutter and reduce their usefulness.
  • Review periodically: Audit your labels regularly and remove or merge any that are outdated or rarely used.
  • Combine with other tools: Use labels alongside assignment and conversation status to build efficient team workflows.

Common pitfalls

  • Duplicate labels: Before creating a new label, check whether a similar one already exists to avoid confusion.
  • Inconsistent usage: Make sure your team agrees on when and how to apply each label. A quick internal guide can help maintain consistency.

Frequently asked questions

How do I create a label?
Settings → Labels → Add Label. Name, color, save. Available immediately for every agent. Colors help fast visual scanning, so pick distinct ones for the most-used labels.
How are labels different from custom attributes?
Labels are tags (yes or no: does this conversation have this tag). Custom attributes are fields with values ('plan = Enterprise', 'NPS = 8'). Use labels for binary categorization; use attributes for structured data.
Can automation rules add labels?
Yes. Rule action 'Add label'. Common pattern: 'if subject contains refund → add label refund + assign to billing team'. Combined with filters, this drives a clean workflow.
Can I rename a label after applying it everywhere?
Yes. Settings → Labels → click → rename. The change reflects on every conversation that had the old label. No re-application needed.
How many labels can I add to one conversation?
No hard cap. Practically 3-5 labels max per conversation. Beyond that, the visual badges get noisy and people stop reading them.
Do labels show to the customer?
No, labels are internal-only. The customer never sees the badges on their conversation. Treat them as team shorthand.
Can I report on label usage?
Yes. Reports has a By Label section that shows how many conversations carry each of your most used labels (up to 8) in the chosen period.
What if I want to remove a label from many conversations at once?
There is no bulk action for labels. Deleting the label under Settings → Labels takes it off every conversation at once; otherwise remove it in each conversation with the × on its badge.
Can I have nested or hierarchical labels?
No. Labels are flat. Workaround: prefix names ('billing/refund', 'billing/cancel') to convey a category. The prefix doesn't filter together, but visually groups them in the picker.
What's the difference between a label and a status?
Status is a fixed lifecycle stage (Open / Pending / Snoozed / Resolved). Label is a freeform tag you create. A conversation has exactly one status; can have many labels.
Can the AI bot apply labels?
Fynn does not add labels itself. Automation rules (Startup and up) can add labels when a conversation is created or updated or a message is created, for example based on the inbox or the message content.
Will removing a label delete the conversation?
No. Removing a label simply detaches the tag from the conversation. The conversation itself and all its messages remain untouched.

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