The "Send next message in X days" feature means that the follow-up will be sent after a specified number of days. If you set a gap of 3 days, Step 2 will be sent 3 days after Step 1 was initially sent. However, it will only be sent on the next active scheduled day.
Note: Instantly counts all calendar days (including weekends and non-sending days) when calculating the delay.
However, the follow-up will only be sent on your next active scheduled day if the calculated day falls on an inactive day.
Example 1, if your sending schedule is set to Monday - Friday(you don’t send emails on Saturday and Sunday):
There is a 2-day delay between Step 1 and Step 2.
Step 1 is sent on Friday.
Step 2 will be sent 2 days after Step 1, which will be on the following Monday, since Saturday and Sunday are not active sending days, and Monday is the next active scheduled day.
How it plays out:
Day 1 = Saturday
Day 2 = Sunday. Since Sunday is not an active sending day, the system checks your next scheduled day — which is Monday.
Therefore, the Step 2 will be sent on Monday instead.
Example 2, if your sending schedule is set to Monday–Thursday (you don’t send emails on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday):
There is a 2-day delay between Step 1 and Step 2.
Step 1 is sent on Thursday.
Step 2 will be sent 2 days after Step 1, which will be on the following Monday, since Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are not active sending days, and Monday is the next active scheduled day.
How it plays out:
Day 1 = Friday
Day 2 = Saturday. Since Saturday is not an active sending day, the system checks your next scheduled day — which is Monday.
Therefore, the Step 2 will be sent on Monday.