The two work modes, IQ chat and dashboard
Updated 2026-10-17
In CustomIQ you work in two ways: IQ mode, a chat where you ask your strategist for things and approve what it proposes, and Manual mode, the classic dashboard with campaigns, audiences, content studio, analytics and settings. You switch between them with the selector at the top at any time; nothing is lost.
Video tutorial
What are the two CustomIQ modes?
At the top centre of the screen there is a selector with two modes. IQ is the agent mode: you work by chatting with your strategist in the IQ chat. Manual is the classic dashboard: pages with your campaigns, audiences, content studio, analytics and settings, starting at Home.
When do I use the chat?
Use the chat to create and launch: ask for a marketing plan, create ad campaigns, generate organic content, add creatives, optimize, run retargeting, see how your month is going or connect an account. The chat asks what it needs, shows the cost before running and waits for your approval.
When do I use the dashboard?
Use the dashboard when you want full control: review and approve creatives, see the publishing calendar, edit landings, blogs or emails in the studio, check analytics, manage products, segments and brand profiles, or configure connections and billing.
What do I need first?
Nothing special: both modes are available from day one. If your role is read-only (viewer), you will see fewer sections in the dashboard and will not have access to the chat.
Steps
- Find the selector. At the top centre of the screen you will see the selector with the IQ and Manual modes.
- Choose IQ to chat. Press IQ to open the chat and ask for plans, campaigns, content or optimizations.
- Choose Manual to control. Press Manual to see campaigns, audiences, content studio, analytics and settings.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I lose anything when switching modes?
- No. The chat and the dashboard work on the same data; switch as often as you like.
- Which mode is recommended?
- IQ mode (chat) is recommended for creating and launching; the dashboard is for reviewing, adjusting and full control.
- Can I create paid campaigns from the dashboard?
- Yes, with Add Campaign in Campaigns: you choose goal, product, segment and channels yourself. In IQ mode the agent asks for them instead. Review, budget approval and deploy happen in Campaigns either way.
Related
- Create a campaign manually from CampaignsHow to create a paid or organic campaign without the IQ chat, from the Add Campaign form in Campaigns.
- What CustomIQ is and how it worksWhat CustomIQ does, which channels it covers and how you work with the IQ chat and the dashboard.
- What you can ask the IQ chatThe full list of what the CustomIQ IQ chat can do, grouped into create, grow, connect and content, with what is not available yet.
- IQ chat commands (back, change, start over, cancel)How to go back, change an earlier answer, restart, cancel or retry inside a guided IQ chat process, and what the chips are.