Why connect your calendar and use Instant Book?
Syncing your Google Calendar makes it easier to see where you genuinely have space to add Instant Book slots, without having to cross-check two calendars.
Instant Book also makes it easier for clients to act on your availability. They can see straight away that you have bookable availability and choose a time there and then, rather than having to send a request and wait for a response. This reduces unnecessary back-and-forth and makes booking quicker.
Adding Instant Book slots can also increase your chances of being booked, as clients can immediately see when you’re available and secure a session at a time that works for them.
Instant Book profiles are clearly labelled, so clients can quickly spot practitioners with availability they can book straight away.
Follow the steps below to get set up:
1. Connect your Google Calendar
Connect the Google Calendar you use for your work diary so Unmind Connect can see when you’re already busy.
Follow the step-by-step guide: Connect your Google Calendar to Unmind
2. Set up your availability in Google Calendar
Anything you’re unavailable for should be marked Busy in Google Calendar. Events marked Free, or blank time in your calendar, will not block your availability in Connect.
For example, if you add an “Unmind Slots offered” event, make sure it’s marked Free on your Google Calendar. Other commitments, such as work at another clinic, should remain Busy.
Follow the step-by-step guide: Set up availability in Google Calendar
3. Add Instant Book slots in Unmind Connect
Once your calendar is connected, Busy slots from Google Calendar will be visible in your Unmind Calendar. Use the remaining available time to add Instant Book slots for clients.
Choose a time that isn’t marked Busy, select Instant book slot, choose the start and end time, and save. Repeat for any other times you want to offer.
Follow the step-by-step guide: Add Instant Book slots in Unmind Connect
Remember
Unmind Connect is where you add the Instant Book times you want to offer to clients. Google Calendar sync helps show when you’re unavailable, so you can avoid offering time that is already blocked.
FAQs
FAQs
Is the sync one-way?
Yes. Google Calendar feeds availability information into Unmind Connect, but Connect sessions and Instant Book slots aren't added to your Google Calendar automatically.
What can Unmind see in my Google Calendar?
Unmind only reads the start and end times of your calendar events. We don't access event titles, descriptions, locations or attendee details. You’ll be asked to grant read-only access, which is the minimum access needed to check for conflicts. Your calendar data is not stored or shared.
Which Google Calendar is checked?
Unmind only checks your primary Google Calendar. Secondary and shared calendars on the same account aren't included.
What counts as Free or Busy?
Events marked Free — and blank time in Google Calendar — don't block your availability in Connect. Events marked Busy do.
How do Google Calendar invitations affect my availability?
Your response to an event in Google Calendar | Marked as Busy in Connect? |
Yes | Yes |
Maybe | Yes |
No | No |
Not responded yet | Yes |
If you don't respond to an invitation, Connect treats the time as potentially busy. Clients will not be able to book that time unless you decline the invitation or the event has passed.
How will Google Calendar events appear in Connect?
Events marked Busy appear as Busy blocks in your Unmind Calendar. Select a Busy block to see the date and time. Event titles, descriptions, locations and attendees remain private and aren't shown in Connect.
What happens if I add a Busy event after setting my Instant Book availability?
You don't need to manually update Connect. The integration checks Google Calendar automatically and updates your availability in real time, so any overlapping Instant Book time becomes unavailable to clients.
What if a Busy event overlaps with an existing Unmind session?
Connect will show a conflict warning: “You are double-booked”. This time slot overlaps with another event in your calendar.” Check both calendars and update the Connect session or Google Calendar event as needed.
How do I disconnect my Google Calendar?
Go to Settings > Integrations in Unmind Connect and disconnect your Google Calendar. Connect will stop checking it for conflicts. Disconnecting does not delete or change any events in Google Calendar.