---
Title: "What Is Customer Service? Definition and Examples"
Url: "https://computer.io/glossary/customer-service"
Topic: "Customer service"
Description: "Customer service is the help a company gives people before, during and after a purchase. Definition, types, examples and how AI is changing it."
---

# What is customer service?

Customer service is the help and advice a company gives people before, during and after they buy, such as answering questions, solving problems and handling complaints, so that customers can use the product successfully and want to keep doing business with the company.

## In simple words

Customer service means helping customers. It covers everything from answering "where's my order?" to fixing a billing mistake to explaining how a feature works.

## Key elements

| Element | Example |
| --- | --- |
| Accessibility | Easy to reach on preferred channels |
| Speed | Quick first response and resolution |
| Accuracy | Correct, consistent answers |
| Empathy | Understanding the customer's situation |
| Ownership | Following through until solved |

## Examples of good customer service

1. An agent spots a duplicate charge and refunds it before the customer asks.
2. An AI agent resolves an order-status question at midnight.
3. Support tells a customer the bug they reported has been fixed.

## How it is changing

AI agents now handle many routine requests end to end, so human agents focus on complex and sensitive cases. Customers expect instant answers and no repetition across channels.

## FAQ

### What is the main purpose of customer service?

To help customers succeed with a product or service and keep them satisfied enough to stay and recommend it.

### What is the difference between customer service and customer support?

Customer service is the broad function of helping customers; customer support usually refers to solving specific, often technical, problems.

### What are the 3 Ps of customer service?

Commonly cited as professionalism, patience and a people-first attitude, though frameworks vary.

## Related terms

- [Customer support](https://computer.io/glossary/customer-support)
- [Customer care](https://computer.io/glossary/customer-care)
- [Customer experience (CX)](https://computer.io/glossary/customer-experience)
- [Why is customer service important?](https://computer.io/answers/why-is-customer-service-important)

## How Computer helps

- [Customer agent](https://devrev.ai/solutions/customer-agent)

## Further reading

- [What is customer service](https://devrev.ai/blog/what-is-customer-service)
- [Types of customer service](https://devrev.ai/blog/types-of-customer-service)
- [Objectives of customer service](https://devrev.ai/blog/objectives-of-customer-service)