Hay Blog

Insights on AI-powered customer support, automation strategies, and building better support experiences.

Intercom pricing 2026 breakdown: Hay mascot Bale as the confused math lady meme, surrounded by floating Fin AI cost calculations
pricing guide intercom

Intercom Pricing 2026: What You'll Actually Pay (Including Fin AI Add-Ons)

Intercom pricing starts at $29/seat but most teams pay $500-2,000+ monthly. Complete 2026 breakdown of Fin AI's $0.99 per resolution, hidden add-ons, and when alternatives make sense.

Damien Mulhall Damien Mulhall
33 min
Customer Service KPIs comparison: Hay mascot in Drake meme format rejecting vanity metrics, approving actionable KPIs
Customer service KPIs How to measure customer service

Customer Service KPIs That Actually Predict Churn (Not Just Measure Activity)

Customer Service KPIs guide: which metrics predict churn vs. which just fill dashboards. CES, FCR, repeat contact rate, and the 5-metric rule explained.

Damien Mulhall Damien Mulhall
25 min
How to Handle Angry Customers: companies often manufacture their own angry customers. But using the HEARD method is a great way resolve issues quickly and ensure brand loyalty.
Customer Service De-Escalation

How to Handle Angry Customers: De-Escalation Guide 2026

Learn how to handle angry customers with the HEARD de-escalation framework, 50+ ready-to-use phrases, and scripts for turning complaints into loyalty.

Damien Mulhall Damien Mulhall
17 min
Zendesk Pricing 2026: Real Costs Breakdown. Zendesk advertises $19/agent. Most teams pay $115 to $200+. Here's how the real costs add up, including add-ons they don't mention upfront.
pricing guide zendesk

Zendesk Pricing 2026: Real Costs Breakdown

Zendesk pricing starts at $19/agent but most teams pay $115-$200+. Full breakdown of every tier, add-on, and hidden cost for 2026.

Damien Mulhall Damien Mulhall
28 min
Support Ticket Response Templates: 25+ Examples That Sound Human
support ticket response examples customer service email templates

Support Ticket Response Templates: 25+ Examples That Sound Human

Support Ticket Response Templates: 25+ Examples That Sound Human. 69% of agents struggle balancing speed with quality. These 25+ support ticket templates include annotations explaining why each works, plus the psychology that makes customers feel heard.

Damien Mulhall Damien Mulhall
32 min
Why Your FAQ Page Isn't Reducing Support Tickets
Customer Service Self-Service

Why Your FAQ Page Isn't Reducing Support Tickets

86% of self-service attempts fail. Here's why your FAQ page isn't reducing support tickets, what actually deflects volume, and where AI fits.

Damien Mulhall Damien Mulhall
19 min
Scale support team without burnout using AI automation
Materials

Scale Support Without Burning Out Your Team

Scale your support team without burnout: a practical playbook for leaders facing rising ticket volumes and flat budgets. Learn what to automate, what to keep human, and how to get started.

Damien Mulhall Damien Mulhall
13 min
Welcome to the Hay AI customer support blog
Announcements Company News

Welcome to the Hay Blog

We're launching the Hay blog to share insights on AI-powered customer support, automation strategies, and building better support experiences.

Roger Junior Roger Junior
1 min