The Intercom, like the intercommunication device, is a Customer Communications Platform. It is a Conversational Relationship Platform for businesses. Through Intercom Documentation, businesses can build multiple applications for consumer conversations.

With such benefits, as an independent business or an organization, you might be looking for Intercom articles to obtain knowledge on Intercom docs or Intercom Documentation.

So, here we are, giving you the much-needed Intercom help.

Intercom Documentation:

Intercom Documentation helps you publicly integrate your service with the company Intercom, Inc. They provide this business messaging service through Intercom. So, either you can assimilate with them or build one based on your team’s private usage.

To do this, you can visit the Intercom App Store and see how others have built their needs. In addition, there are developers in the Community to help with documentation requests.

How to get started

The first step is to create a developer workspace. This workspace is a Developer Hub where you can create an app.

Canvas Kit

The Canvas Kit helps in navigating information from source to Intercom. Now, users can see information and perform any action necessary without moving away from the Intercom UI.

REST API

REST API, or the Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface, helps access web services without any necessary processing. Intercom functions through the necessary standards prescribed by this architectural style, and by integrating this, you can maintain data and program accordingly.

Webhooks

Webhooks provide information through notifications of actions happening within the Intercom.

Versioning

Intercom versions of the latest API and Canvas Kit withstand new changes and incorporate them easily.

API Changelog

Breaking changes, such as eliminating or renaming any parameter or response field, or making any changes to them, are all logged to the API so that you can keep an account of them.

Authentication

Authentication is required to use the API or anyone using the app to install it. In addition, data access also needs authentication.

Guidelines

There are guidelines to promote better use of data and responsible access to data. These guidelines apply to all workspace owners and third-parties the same.

Publishing Apps

Publishing your own built application requires the following additional steps. This process starts right from installing the app and then publishing it. They are:

  • Setting up OAuth [OAuth is the open standard for giving access to users without providing them the passwords] 
  • Review & Publish Your App
  • Listing Your App Guidelines
  • Promoting Your App Guidelines

Now that we have provided what services Intercom includes for documentation using their product or your app, the next section will help how to build a successful application.

Always build an application to solve

Applications built to solve their problems are a must for everyone. Intercom encourages this necessity by providing the platform and a demo to help.

But remember to avoid replicating Intercom and creating your unique application.

Efficient use of APIs and tools

One good way to ensure the application is reliable is to check for OAuth to be the only authorization method. Use case(s) scopes wisely by adopting the required API for the required purpose.

 Rely on providing quality support

Customers need to understand the process better. Some might be wary of third-party influences in sharing data. To avoid such circumstances, providing quality data verification and validation support is required. For this support, leverage Twitter, Facebook, email, or phone in addition to Intercom.

Picking the proper OAuth scopes

We need to ask only for the OAuth scopes we need and educate customers on them. You should map application features to scopes to do this. These measures help the OAuth application to get approval by Intercom. 

There are the right ways to promote the application

Intercom allows application branding following guidelines adherence only. 

Intercom doesn’t entertain a labeling partnership with it unless mentioned in the written consent.

It also doesn’t support unsolicited spam messages or emails sent to Intercom customers.

Easy is the way

Customers prefer if the application installation is more accessible.

To do that, one can publish their application in the Intercom App Store. 

Otherwise, using the “Connect with Intercom” buttons to integrate with your product requires you to take the Intercom OAuth. In addition, you must make sure you take the customer to confirm using Intercom OAuth.

If you use a “Connect with Intercom” button in your product, ensure that clicking that button takes the customer to authenticate using Intercom OAuth immediately.


Intercom fills in available information only to create an account if needed. Otherwise, the onus falls on the application owner to prefill all the customer details necessary when asking them to sign up manually.

Prevention is the key

Intercom provides Health Check to keep the application in a running state. Even if any error occurs, this feature helps identify the root cause and re-activates the application if necessary. 



Intercom provides Health Check by providing an API end call at the pace of one per day. It provides this feature in the Installation Status section of your application in the Intercom Developer hub. 


General and Third-party guidelines 

Applications should always follow the browsers’ and OS’s policies.

Intercom expects transparent representation of products. Therefore, it doesn’t encourage re-selling or repurposing products or license codes.

If you follow all these necessary guidelines and tips, Intercom documentation will quickly add more benefits to your services.

Check out our blog for more such posts!

Conclusion


In conclusion, Intercom's Documentation serves as a valuable resource for businesses seeking to integrate their services with the Intercom platform. Whether you choose to assimilate with Intercom or build your own messaging service, their Developer Hub offers the necessary tools and support. With features like Canvas Kit, REST API, webhooks, and versioning, developers have the flexibility to navigate information, access web services, receive notifications, and adapt to changes seamlessly. Adhering to authentication, guidelines, and proper OAuth implementation ensures a successful application. By following Intercom's guidelines, leveraging their support, and providing a user-friendly experience, you can maximize the benefits of their documentation for your services.