---
title: Configuring send time optimization in the Wait node
slug: campaign/docs/configuring-send-time-optimization-in-the-wait-node
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-07-20T15:44:47.954Z
---

This topic describes how to enable and configure the send time optimization in the **Wait** node within Smart Campaigns.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**

The send time optimization feature is available only for the **Email** channel.
:::

Once configured, your message is sent to recipients with sufficient behavioral data at a personalized send time. Recipients who lack sufficient behavioral data receive your message at the fallback time.

To configure send time optimization in the **Wait** node, do the following:

1. Under **Send Date**, specify a [fallback](docId:4ySXmElnGTbkaleIYQIgm).
2. [Enable](docId:4ySXmElnGTbkaleIYQIgm) send time optimization.
3. Select the [maximum length of time](docId:4ySXmElnGTbkaleIYQIgm) for the send time optimization.
4. Adjust the [start and end times](docId:4ySXmElnGTbkaleIYQIgm) of the send time optimization and, if necessary, shorten the preset maximum length.
5. Check your settings in the [info area](docId:4ySXmElnGTbkaleIYQIgm).

## [configuring-send-time-optimization-in-the-wait-node.mdx](docId:4ySXmElnGTbkaleIYQIgm)Specifying a fallback time

If there is insufficient data about individual recipients to determine a personalized send time, your message is sent to these recipients at the set fallback time. To specify a fallback time, perform the following steps:

1. In the **Create Campaign** window or the **Edit Campaign** window within Smart Campaigns, drag a **Wait** node from the left action pane into the workspace between the **Recipients** node and the message node. A context menu opens.
2. Under **Send Date**, select an option and specify the fallback time.

   ![Image: Specify fallback time](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/b6yXvJaYC14eMAWyrnXy0-20260720-145306.png "Image: Specify fallback time")

| Option                                      | The fallback time is set to                           | Configuration              |
| ------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| Wait until ...                              | A fixed time.                                         | Specify a date and a time. |
| Wait until import has been finished         | Immediately after the recipient import is completed.  | No configuration needed    |
| Start at ... after import has been finished | A fixed time after the recipient import is completed. | Specify a time.            |

:::hint{type="info" indent="2"}
**Note**

The **Wait until import has been finished** and **Start at ... after import has been finished** options are only available if the closed-loop interface is configured in your client. If the closed-loop interface is not configured, only the **Wait until ...** option is available.
:::

:::hint{type="danger" indent="2"}
**Warning**

If the **Wait until import has been finished** or **Start at ... after import has been finished** option is selected, you cannot enable the campaign.
:::

## [configuring-send-time-optimization-in-the-wait-node.mdx](docId:4ySXmElnGTbkaleIYQIgm)Enabling send time optimization

In the context menu of the **Wait** node, select the check box next to **Send time optimization**.

![Image: Configure sent time optimization](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/9Jd7LTsfPKMyyLeLpKUOo-20260720-145306.png "Image: Configure sent time optimization")

### [configuring-send-time-optimization-in-the-wait-node.mdx](docId:4ySXmElnGTbkaleIYQIgm)Specifying the maximum length of time

Set the maximum length of time that Optimizely Campaign can use to optimize the mailing dispatch.

You can select **24 hours** or **7 days**.

![Image: Set maximum time](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/TJwi5PKLTt4sRkceBOMWE-20260720-145306.png "Image: Set maximum time")

### [configuring-send-time-optimization-in-the-wait-node.mdx](docId:4ySXmElnGTbkaleIYQIgm)Adjusting start and end times

You can adjust the start and end times of the send time optimization in 15-minute increments by using the date slider. If you make no changes, the start and end times are set so that the fallback date is the midpoint of the selected maximum length of time.

![Image: Slider](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/YdvsK1-hvc5sQ9X_rTu4i-20260720-145306.gif "Image: Slider")

To adjust the start and end times and reduce the maximum length of time, click and grab the corresponding date tab with the computer mouse.

![Image: Reduce the maximum length of time](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/I-RGQo_cTfLHvNcO2V4ku-20260720-145306.gif "Image: Reduce the maximum length of time")

### [configuring-send-time-optimization-in-the-wait-node.mdx](docId:4ySXmElnGTbkaleIYQIgm)Checking settings in the info area

Your current send time optimization settings appear in the info area. After completing the configuration, verify your settings in the info area, and change them if necessary.

![Image: Settings information](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/Qw9ZsJpeJqEvGF1yLgLp1-20260720-145306.png "Image: Settings information")