{"id":4542,"date":"2026-05-18T09:00:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T07:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/?post_type=ht_kb&#038;p=4542"},"modified":"2026-05-18T09:07:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T07:07:48","slug":"how-to-set-up-lockout-time-on-an-automation","status":"publish","type":"ht_kb","link":"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/en\/help\/how-to-set-up-lockout-time-on-an-automation\/","title":{"rendered":"How to set up lockout time on an automation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-post-date__modified-date wp-block-post-date__modified-date wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-05-18T09:07:48+02:00\">18. May 2026<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p>An automation sends emails based on an event &#8211; either immediately or with a delay. This can mean that some emails are sent in the middle of the night. With a blocking time, you can ensure that emails are only sent during the times you deem appropriate. This guide will show you how to set up blocking time on your autoresponder.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Go to restriction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Create an automation flow. On the trigger page, you have the option to access <strong>Restrictions<\/strong>, which you can find here: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0c0005ee711&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0c0005ee711\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"539\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-1024x539.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4556\" style=\"box-shadow:var(--wp--preset--shadow--natural)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-1024x539.png 1024w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-768x404.png 768w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-50x26.png 50w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-1536x808.png 1536w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-60x32.png 60w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-100x53.png 100w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions.png 1835w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have already created the automation flow, click on the name of the automation flow in the overview. This will take you to the flow builder. To access <strong>Restrictions<\/strong>, click <strong>Change settings<\/strong>:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0c0005eeb63&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0c0005eeb63\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"539\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Change-settings-1024x539.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4557\" style=\"box-shadow:var(--wp--preset--shadow--natural)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Change-settings-1024x539.png 1024w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Change-settings-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Change-settings-768x404.png 768w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Change-settings-50x26.png 50w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Change-settings-1536x808.png 1536w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Change-settings-60x32.png 60w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Change-settings-100x53.png 100w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Change-settings.png 1835w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Then go to <strong>Restrictions<\/strong>, as shown in the first image in step 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Enable lockout time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Find the <strong>Broadcast lockout time<\/strong> field <strong>?<\/strong> field and select <strong>Yes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enter the time period during which emails should not be sent:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Start time<\/strong> &#8211; Time at which the curfew begins<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>End time<\/strong> &#8211; Time at which the curfew ends<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If an automation is triggered during this interval, the email will be held back and will not be sent until the blocking time ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a0c0005ef0a9&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a0c0005ef0a9\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"539\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-2-1024x539.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4558\" style=\"box-shadow:var(--wp--preset--shadow--natural)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-2-1024x539.png 1024w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-2-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-2-768x404.png 768w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-2-50x26.png 50w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-2-1536x808.png 1536w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-2-60x32.png 60w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-2-100x53.png 100w, https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/Restrictions-2.png 1835w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-ht-blocks-messages wp-block-hb-message wp-block-hb-message--withicon is-style-info\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> A blocking time can easily be within the same 24 hours, for example 01:00-06:00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Examples of use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Curfew 23:00-07:00<\/strong> &#8211; Avoid emails at night<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Curfew 11:00-10:00<\/strong> &#8211; Ensures all emails are sent around 10:00-11:00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You are now ready<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You have now set up blocking time on your automation and can control when your emails are sent. This prevents recipients from receiving emails at inappropriate times and allows you to target sending to the times when your emails have the greatest impact. Try adjusting the blocking time to suit the habits of your target audience.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An automation sends emails based on an event &#8211; either immediately or with a delay. This can mean that some emails are sent in the middle of the night. With a blocking time, you can ensure that emails are only sent during the times you deem appropriate. This guide will&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"ht-kb-category":[67,68,79],"ht-kb-tag":[],"class_list":["post-4542","ht_kb","type-ht_kb","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","ht_kb_category-automations","ht_kb_category-automationsflow","ht_kb_category-data-og-tracking"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/4542","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/ht_kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4542"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/4542\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4559,"href":"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/4542\/revisions\/4559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4542"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"ht_kb_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb-category?post=4542"},{"taxonomy":"ht_kb_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guides.heyloyalty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb-tag?post=4542"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}