Feedback: integrations-zapier

Documentation Feedback

Original URL: https://www.assemblyai.com/docs/integrations/zapier
Category: integrations
Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:27:15 pm

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Claude Sonnet 4 Feedback

Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:27:14 pm

Technical Documentation Analysis: AssemblyAI Zapier Integration

Overall Assessment

This documentation provides a solid foundation but has several gaps that could frustrate users. The quickstart is well-structured, but missing critical context and troubleshooting information.

Specific Issues & Recommendations

1. Missing Critical Information

API Key Setup (High Priority)

• Issue: Step 3 mentions entering an API key with no context on how to obtain it
• Fix: Add a prerequisite section:

## Prerequisites
Before starting, you'll need:
- An AssemblyAI account ([sign up here](link))
- Your AssemblyAI API key ([find it in your dashboard](link))
- A Zapier account

File Requirements (High Priority)

• Issue: “The URL has to be publicly accessible” is too vague
• Fix: Add specific requirements:

### Audio File Requirements
- **Supported formats**: MP3, WAV, M4A, AAC, FLAC, OGG
- **File size limit**: Up to 2GB
- **Access**: URL must be publicly accessible (no authentication required)
- **Examples of valid URLs**:
  - `https://example.com/audio.mp3`
  - Direct Dropbox/Google Drive public links
- **Invalid URLs**: Password-protected files, localhost URLs, expired links

2. Unclear Explanations

Testing Behavior (Medium Priority)

• Issue: The sample data explanation is buried and confusing
• Fix: Move to a prominent callout in the quickstart:

<Warning>
**Important**: During testing, Zapier shows sample data instead of actual results.
To verify your integration works, you must run the Zap normally (not in test mode).
</Warning>

Action Descriptions (Medium Priority)

• Issue: Actions lack context about when to use each one
• Fix: Add use cases for each action:

### Transcribe
**When to use**: Starting point for most workflows. Converts audio to text.
**Use cases**: Meeting transcription, podcast processing, voice message analysis

### Get Transcript
**When to use**: When you have a transcript ID from a previous step or external source.
**Use cases**: Checking status, retrieving existing transcripts

3. Improved Structure Needed

Reorganize Content Flow

# Suggested Structure:
1. Prerequisites (new)
2. Quickstart
3. Common Use Cases (new)
4. Actions Reference
5. Troubleshooting (new)
6. Testing Information
7. Limitations
8. Additional Resources

4. Missing Examples & Use Cases

Add Real-World Scenarios

## Common Use Cases

### Meeting Transcription Workflow
1. **Trigger**: New file in Google Drive
2. **Action**: AssemblyAI Transcribe
3. **Action**: Send transcript via email/Slack

### Podcast Processing
1. **Trigger**: New episode uploaded
2. **Action**: AssemblyAI Transcribe
3. **Action**: Generate subtitles
4. **Action**: Post to social media with transcript

Better Audio URL Examples

• Show how to get public URLs from common services (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
• Explain URL formatting requirements

5. Critical User Pain Points

Missing Troubleshooting Section

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

**"Audio URL not accessible" error**
- Verify the URL opens in an incognito browser window
- Check if the URL requires authentication
- Ensure the file format is supported

**Transcript stuck in "queued" status**
- This is normal during testing - sample data is shown
- Run the Zap normally (not in test mode) to see actual results

**Action fails with transcript ID**
- Ensure the transcript is completed before using Get actions
- Check that the transcript ID is correctly passed from previous steps

Error Handling Guidance

• Explain what happens when transcription fails
• How to handle different transcript statuses in Zaps
• Retry mechanisms and best practices

6. Technical Improvements

Add Configuration Details

### Advanced Configuration
- **Wait until Transcript is Ready**: Set to `False` for async processing
- **Webhook alternatives**: For large files, consider using webhooks instead
- **Rate limits**: Information about concurrent transcription limits

Field Descriptions

• Explain what each returned field contains
• Show sample output structure
• Explain how to use fields in subsequent Zap steps

7. Quick Wins

1. Add a “5-minute setup” estimation to set expectations
2. Include a troubleshooting checklist in the quickstart
3. Add visual indicators for required vs. optional fields
4. Create a testing checklist for users to verify their setup
5. Add links to Zapier’s general help for Zapier-specific questions

8. Content Gaps

Missing Sections:

• Pricing/usage implications
• Performance expectations (processing times)
• Data privacy/security considerations
• Integration limits and quotas
• Version/update information

This documentation would benefit significantly from user testing to identify additional pain points and validate these improvements.

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