---
title: What is “Stay on topic” and when should I use it?
description: "It restricts the bot to specific allowed topics (or blocks specific topics) so it declines to answer anything out of scope. Useful for regulated industries or narrowly scoped support bots. Leave it off to allow general conversation. ### More Related…"
url: "https://www.smsgatewaycenter.com/blog/kb/what-is-stay-on-topic-and-when-should-i-use-it/"
updated: "2026-07-31"
category: AI Agent Builder / Safety
---

# What is “Stay on topic” and when should I use it?

It restricts the bot to specific allowed topics (or blocks specific topics) so it declines to answer anything out of scope. Useful for regulated industries or narrowly scoped support bots. Leave it off to allow general conversation.

### More Related Articles

- [Can I customize what customers see when the bot cannot help?](https://www.smsgatewaycenter.com/blog/kb/can-i-customize-what-customers-see-when-the-bot-cannot-help/)
- [What safety controls are available?](https://www.smsgatewaycenter.com/blog/kb/what-safety-controls-are-available/)

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