---
name: watson-assistant-boost-words
title: Boost words
description: '[Beta]'
last-updated: 2024-03-26
---

> ## Documentation Index
> The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/watson-assistant?format=markdown
> The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use these files to discover more information as needed.

# Boost words
{: #boost-words}

[Beta]{: tag-cyan}

Use *boost words* to enter keywords or phrases to help the assistant recognize what a customer wants. If a customer's input includes matches the boost words or phrases, the assistant can be more confident to use an action. 

Boost words or phrases are used in addition to example phrases. They can contain only letters, underscores, hyphens, spaces, or dots. They must start with an alphanumeric character. Words or phrases can't be entered more than once per action, but you can use the same boost words or phrases across multiple actions.

This beta feature is available for evaluation and testing purposes only. To request access to the *Boost words* feature, use the [Request access for watsonx Assistant Boost Words (beta)](https://forms.monday.com/forms/d7f954fe56334a20c4b4bd12fc59f744?r=use1){: external} form.
{: beta}

To add boost words or phrases to an action:

1. Create or open an action. 

1. In **Customer starts with**, ensure that the action has at least one example phrase before you add any boost words.

1. Click the **Boost** icon.

   ![Boost](images/boost-icon.png){: caption="Boost icon" caption-side="bottom"}

1. Enter a boost word or phrase, then click **Add**.

   ![Boost](images/boost-modal.png){: caption="Boost words" caption-side="bottom"}

1. You can keep entering words or phrases one at a time. When you're finished, click **Apply**.

## Testing recognition of boost words
{: #boost-test}

You can use **Preview** to test recognition of boost words. If a boost word or phrase matches, you can see `Boost word detected` in the Preview pane.

![Boost preview](images/boost-preview.png){: caption="Test boost in preview" caption-side="bottom"}