> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.retellai.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Outbound call campaigns > Run outbound call campaigns with the Retell AI Dialer: call and text a contact list, retry on a schedule, screen for DNC, and track conversions per contact. The Dialer runs outbound campaigns from the Retell dashboard. It calls or texts your contacts with your agents, retries on a schedule you set, and decides each contact's next step from what happened in the conversation. You build a campaign on four tabs (**Overview**, **Contacts**, **Sequence**, and **Numbers**), launch it, and follow every contact's progress on the campaign page. Open it from **Dialer** under **Deploy** in the dashboard sidebar. ## When to use it * **You need several attempts per contact.** Appointment reminders, payment follow-ups, and lead reactivation rarely connect on the first call. * **You want new contacts called automatically.** An Auto-enroll campaign calls every contact that matches your rules, such as each new web lead, without a new upload. * **You must screen numbers before dialing.** Campaigns can check federal and state Do Not Call registries, TCPA litigators, and line types before the first call. * **You want more calls answered.** [Local presence](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/phone-numbers.md) calls each contact from a number in its own area code, and [spam check](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/phone-numbers.md#spam-and-reputation) tells you when carriers label one of your US numbers "Spam Likely". For example, a dental clinic runs an Auto-enroll campaign for contacts tagged `recall-due`. The agent calls each patient up to four times over three weeks, during clinic hours in the patient's time zone. When a patient books, the campaign writes `booked` to a contact field and stops calling them. If you only need one call to each number in a CSV, with no retries, set the sequence to one attempt. [Batch calls](https://docs.retellai.com/deploy/make-batch-call.md) are deprecated but still available. To place calls from your own code, use [Create Phone Call](https://docs.retellai.com/api-references/create-phone-call.md). ## Standard and Auto-enroll campaigns Choose the type when you create a campaign. You can't change it later. | | Standard campaign | Auto-enroll campaign | | - | - | - | | Who is called | Contacts you select with a filter or upload as a CSV or XLSX file | Contacts that match your conditions at launch, and any contact that matches later | | Contact list after launch | Fixed at launch | Grows as contacts are created or updated to match | | When it ends | Completes on its own when every contact is done | Runs until you stop it | | Typical use | A reminder or reactivation push to a known list | Calling each new lead within minutes | ## Key concepts * **Contact**: a record in your workspace [Contacts](https://docs.retellai.com/features/contacts.md), keyed by phone number. Its contact fields reach the agent as [dynamic variables](https://docs.retellai.com/build/dynamic-variables.md). * **Sequence**: the plan each contact follows. It's made of conversation nodes connected by outcomes. See [Build a sequence](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/sequences.md). * **Conversation node**: one step of the sequence, run by one agent over a phone call or SMS, with one or more attempts. * **Attempt**: one call or SMS conversation. If the contact doesn't answer, the next attempt runs after the delay you set. * **Outcome**: a result such as "Success" or "Not Interested" that sends the contact to another conversation node or ends the sequence. The **Disposition mix** chart on the Analytics tab counts contacts by outcome. * **Calling window**: the days and hours when the campaign dials, in each contact's time zone. * **Stage**: where a contact is in the campaign, such as Enrolled, In progress, or Completed. A campaign has a **status** instead, such as Running or Paused. ## How a campaign runs **1. Choose contacts** Select contacts for a Standard campaign, or set the conditions for an Auto-enroll campaign. See [Choose contacts](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/contacts.md). **2. Turn on compliance checks** Pick the checks every contact must pass before it's dialed. See [Compliance checks](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/compliance-checks.md). **3. Build the sequence** Assign agents, set attempts and delays, define outcomes, and set the calling window. See [Build a sequence](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/sequences.md). **4. Set caller IDs and dialing rate** Pick the numbers the campaign calls from and how many calls run at once. See [Caller ID and pacing](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/phone-numbers.md). **5. Launch and monitor** Review the campaign on the **Overview** tab, launch it now or schedule it, and track results on the campaign page. Both are covered below. ## Before you start * **An agent for each channel you use.** Call steps need a voice agent and SMS steps need a chat agent. * **Billing and identity verification.** Your workspace's billing must be in good standing, and its identity verification complete. Billing isn't in good standing when, for example, an invoice is overdue, a free trial has ended, or a spend budget or credit is used up. Buying your first phone number starts verification. Without both, you can't create, edit, launch, resume, or duplicate campaigns. You can still pause, stop, and delete them. A running campaign stops dialing while billing isn't in good standing, and resumes when it is. Buying numbers for a campaign also needs a payment method on file. * **The right role.** Admins and Developers can create and run campaigns. Members can view campaigns but can't change them. See [access control](https://docs.retellai.com/accounts/access-control.md). * **Phone numbers.** Use numbers you own, or buy new ones while you set up the campaign. * **An FTC registration, if you screen against federal or state DNC lists.** See [Set up your FTC registration](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/compliance-checks.md#set-up-your-ftc-registration). ## Create a campaign **1. Pick a campaign type** In **Dialer**, click **Create new campaign** and choose **Standard campaign** or **Auto-enroll campaign**. Retell saves a draft named "Untitled campaign" and opens it. Click the name to rename it. **2. Set up each tab** Work through **Contacts**, **Sequence**, and **Numbers**. Click **Done** on a tab to save it and return to **Overview**. On **Contacts**, click **Continue** first to reach the compliance checks. The **Sequence** tab saves each change as you make it. **3. Review the Overview tab** **Overview** summarizes the contacts, phone numbers, and sequence. In a draft, **Contacts**, **Sequence**, and **Numbers** each show a check mark once they're set up. ![Overview tab of a draft Standard campaign named Spring recall reminders. Check marks show the Contacts, Sequence, and Numbers tabs are set up. The left column shows a Contacts card with 100 contacts, a Phone numbers card with 9 existing numbers grouped by region under Local presence dialing, Launch timing set to Schedule for later with an empty date field, a notice that the start time can't change after launch, and a checked consent statement. The right column previews the sequence: Start, Conversation 1 with its agent and one attempt, and Other outcome ending the sequence. The Schedule Launch button is at the bottom right.](https://mintcdn.com/retellai/vuwPMEb2Qq5g6X0u/images/dialer/dialer-overview-tab.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=vuwPMEb2Qq5g6X0u\&q=85\&s=294a5ffd45c961f59bb01ae8c4f05fac) The Overview tab of a draft Standard campaign, set to schedule its launch. ## Launch a campaign **1. Choose the launch timing** Under **Launch timing**, pick **Start now** or **Schedule for later**. A scheduled start must be at least 5 minutes away, and you can pick its time zone. You can't change the start time after launch. **2. Confirm consent** Check the box that confirms the campaign "respects all applicable legal and consent requirements for the contacts being dialed, including TCPA, state DNC laws, and any opt-in obligations." **3. Launch** Click **Launch Now** or **Schedule Launch**. A launch that starts now, or that buys new numbers, asks you to confirm. If it buys numbers, choose Twilio or Telnyx in that dialog. If it buys US numbers, a second step asks whether to verify them first. **Verify first, launch in 7 days** is on by default and delays the start by 7 days, even for **Launch Now**. To start on time, select **Skip for now**. See [Buy new numbers](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/phone-numbers.md#buy-new-numbers). If something is missing, the launch stops with "Campaign is not ready to launch" and names the first problem, such as a sequence step without an agent. At launch, Retell runs the compliance checks and enrolls the contacts right away, even for a scheduled campaign. Calls start at the start time, inside each contact's calling window. The only exception is a callback the lead asked for, which goes out at the requested time (see [Build a sequence](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/sequences.md#auto-schedule-callbacks)). Each contact is dialed at the start time, or when its calling window next opens, but never faster than the campaign's concurrency and calls-per-second limits allow. See [Caller ID and pacing](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/phone-numbers.md#set-the-dialing-rate). If the screening provider is unavailable, contacts stay in **Validating** until it recovers. Contacts of an Auto-enroll campaign show **Validating** for about 5 minutes before their first attempt is scheduled. The launch runs in the background. While it runs, you can't edit or delete the campaign. ### What you can change after launch Contacts, compliance checks, and the sequence lock at launch. You can still rename a running, scheduled, or paused campaign, and change its [phone numbers and dialing rate](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/phone-numbers.md). To change anything else, [duplicate the campaign](#pause-stop-duplicate-or-delete) and launch the copy. On the campaign page, click **Edit** to open the setup tabs. They're read-only, except **Numbers**. For a stopped or completed campaign the button reads **Details**, and every tab is read-only. ## Monitor a campaign A launched campaign opens on its campaign page, with an **Analytics** tab and a **Contacts** tab. ![Campaign page for a running Auto-enroll campaign, Analytics tab. Above the charts are an All time date range, a Filter button, and a Phone number filter. Four cards show Dialed 3,875, Connected 2,480, Converted 932, and Conversion rate 24.1%. Below, the Disposition mix chart flows from Enrolled to outcomes such as Appointment booked, Do not call, Not interested, and Transferred to agent.](https://mintcdn.com/retellai/vuwPMEb2Qq5g6X0u/images/dialer/dialer-campaign-analytics.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=vuwPMEb2Qq5g6X0u\&q=85\&s=20d62aabc35dc358a1cfc42799be9a17) The Analytics tab of a running Auto-enroll campaign. ### Analytics | Metric | Definition | | - | - | | **Dialed** | Contacts called or texted at least once. | | **Connected** | Contacts who picked up a call or replied to a text. | | **Converted** | Contacts who reached a successful exit. | | **Conversion rate** | Converted contacts divided by dialed contacts. | **Disposition mix** shows how many contacts reached each outcome, starting from Enrolled. **Dials over time** counts every call and SMS attempt, retries included, and how many of them connected. **Conversion rate over time** shows the share of dialed contacts that converted. Both charts group by day, week, or month, depending on the date range. Filter everything on the tab by date range, stage, phone number, or contact ID. Dates use your browser's time zone unless you pick another in the date range. ### Contacts The **Contacts** tab lists every contact in the campaign with its stage, current conversation node, next attempt, and whether it was contacted and connected. Click a contact to see each call or SMS grouped by conversation node, with its outcome and the next scheduled attempt. Click a conversation to open its full transcript and recording. ![Contacts tab of a running campaign with a contact's side panel open; the contacts table behind it is dimmed. The panel shows the contact's name, a Stop contact button, the stage In progress, contact information with phone number and last contacted date, and a View link. Under Conversation 1 are Call attempt 1 with Dial no answer, the same attempt's double dial, a Call back that was picked up, Call attempt 2 that was picked up, and a Chat agent conversation tagged with the outcome Interested. Under Conversation 2, a Next attempt row reads Attempt 1, Scheduled on Jul 10, 9:00 AM.](https://mintcdn.com/retellai/vuwPMEb2Qq5g6X0u/images/dialer/dialer-contact-details.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=vuwPMEb2Qq5g6X0u\&q=85\&s=65b47023b6d981eff2d8e03a40d56ef8) A contact's details on the Contacts tab, with its conversations grouped by conversation node. Each contact has one of these stages: | Stage | Meaning | | - | - | | **Validating** | Compliance checks are still running. If they don't finish within 24 hours, the contact moves to **Enroll failed** with the reason "Validation timed out". | | **Enrolled** | Waiting for its next call or text. | | **In progress** | A call or text is happening now. | | **Completed** | Reached an exit, a Do Not Call outcome, or its last attempt. | | **Enroll failed** | Failed a [compliance check](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/compliance-checks.md), such as federal Do Not Call, was a duplicate, or its checks timed out. It's never dialed in this campaign. | | **Stopped** | You stopped the contact, or the campaign was stopped while this contact was in a call or text conversation, or still being checked. Contacts that were waiting in **Enrolled** when you stopped the campaign stay there and are never dialed. | | **Failed** | Could not be dialed after it enrolled, for example with no number to call from. | The first three stages are active. The rest are final. Hover over a failed contact's stage to see the reason. To stop one contact, open its menu and click **Stop contact**. The contact gets no more calls or messages from this campaign, and a conversation already in progress finishes. ## Pause, stop, duplicate, or delete Open a campaign's **More actions** menu on the campaign page or the Dialer list. * **Pause** stops new dials within about a minute. Calls already placed or about to start finish. When you **Resume**, contacts that came due during the pause are dialed first, inside their calling window. * **Stop** ends the campaign for good: it "stops dialing new contacts and cannot be resumed. Calls already in flight finish." It also releases the campaign's phone numbers and stops Auto-enroll intake. * **Duplicate** creates a new draft named "Duplicated from" followed by the original name. It copies the settings, number pool, planned number purchases, and dialing capacity, but not the schedule. Choose **Just settings**, **Settings + contacts**, or, for a stopped or completed campaign, **Contacts not yet contacted**. * **Delete** removes a draft, stopped, or completed campaign, and "its dialing history will be removed. This cannot be undone." Stop a scheduled, running, or paused campaign before you delete it. A Standard campaign moves to **Completed** on its own once every contact reaches a final stage. An Auto-enroll campaign keeps running until you stop it. ## Limits These limits apply to every workspace (as of October 2026). | Limit | Value | | - | - | | Contacts per campaign | 100,000. An Auto-enroll campaign stops adding contacts at 100,000, counting contacts that failed their checks. | | CSV or XLSX upload | 50 MB and 50,000 rows. A file over the row limit is rejected as a whole, and the dashboard shows the error only after you confirm the upload. | | Phone numbers per campaign | 500 in total: the numbers you own plus the new numbers you plan to buy | | Scheduled start | In the dashboard, at least 5 minutes after you launch | ## FAQ > [accordion] How is the Dialer different from batch calls? > > A [batch call](https://docs.retellai.com/deploy/make-batch-call.md) places one call to each row of a CSV. The Dialer adds retries, call and SMS steps, outcome-based routing, compliance checks, calling windows in each contact's time zone, and per-contact tracking. Batch calls are deprecated but still available: open them from **Legacy batch calls** in the header of the Dialer page. > [accordion] Do campaign calls count toward my concurrency limit? > > Yes. Campaign calls can use your workspace's concurrency limit minus any [reserved inbound concurrency](https://docs.retellai.com/deploy/concurrency.md#reserved-inbound-concurrency), and they share it with your other outbound and web calls. Without an inbound reserve, a busy campaign can leave no room for inbound calls. Each campaign also has its own limit. See [Caller ID and pacing](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/phone-numbers.md). > [accordion] Why is a contact stuck in Validating? > > Its compliance checks haven't finished. Retell retries them, and a contact is never dialed until it passes. After 24 hours without a result, the contact fails with "Validation timed out". See [Compliance checks](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/compliance-checks.md). > [accordion] Why can't I create a campaign? > > Your workspace's billing must be in good standing, for example no overdue invoice, no ended free trial, and no spent budget or credit. Identity verification must be complete, and you need the Admin or Developer role. A payment method is required only to buy phone numbers. Related: [Choose contacts](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/contacts.md), [Compliance checks](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/compliance-checks.md), [Build a sequence](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/sequences.md), and [Caller ID and pacing](https://docs.retellai.com/dialer/phone-numbers.md). This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.