Instagram Auto Reply: DMs, Comments, and Story Replies
To turn on auto reply on Instagram, open Meta Business Suite, go to Inbox, then Automations, then Instant Reply, toggle it on for Instagram, write your message, and save. That sends one fixed reply to anyone who DMs you first. To auto reply to comments, story replies, or specific keywords, you need a DM automation tool, set up in the second set of steps below. Both take under 5 minutes.
Option 1: the free instant reply built into Instagram
- Switch your profile to a Business or Creator account in app settings.
- Open Meta Business Suite on desktop or the app.
- Go to Inbox, then Automations, then Instant Reply.
- Toggle it on for Instagram and write your message.
- Save. Anyone who messages you first gets that message once.
What the built-in instant reply cannot do
- It does not trigger on keywords, so everyone gets the same message.
- It does not reply to comments, only to DMs.
- It cannot gate a link behind a follow.
- It cannot capture an email address.
- It sends once, so there is no follow up if the person does not respond.
Option 2: keyword driven auto reply with Elev8or AutoDM
Elev8or AutoDM watches your comments and DMs for the keyword you choose. When someone comments "LINK" on a reel, they get a DM within seconds with your link. If you want the link to go only to followers, turn on the follow gate. If you want the email first, add the capture step.
Every reply is tracked, so you can see how many DMs went out, how many links were clicked, and which post produced the most leads.
- Switch to a Business or Creator account and link it to a Facebook Page.
- Sign up for Elev8or AutoDM free and connect your Instagram.
- Pick the post, reel, or story you want to auto reply on.
- Set the keyword, for example LINK, and write the DM that should go out.
- Optional: add a follow gate or an email capture step before the link.
- Turn it on, then comment the keyword from a second account to test it.
What Instagram requires before auto DMs work
- Account type: your Instagram must be a Business or Creator account, not personal.
- Official API: the tool has to run on the Instagram messaging API. Tools that log in as you and click buttons get accounts restricted.
- Interaction first: Instagram only lets you DM someone who interacted with you first, through a comment, a story reply, or a message. Cold DMs to strangers are not allowed.
- One connected page: your Instagram needs to be linked to a Facebook Page so the messaging permission can be granted.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn on auto DM?
For the basic version, open Meta Business Suite, go to Inbox, then Automations, then Instant Reply, and toggle it on for Instagram. For keyword triggered auto DMs on comments, connect your account to a DM automation tool such as Elev8or AutoDM and set a trigger word on the post.
How do I change the automatic reply message on Instagram?
In Meta Business Suite go to Inbox, Automations, Instant Reply, tap the edit icon, rewrite the message, and save. The change takes effect immediately.
How do I turn off automatic DM replies on Instagram?
Open Meta Business Suite, go to Inbox, then Automations, then Instant Reply, and toggle it off for Instagram. If you are using a third party tool, pause the automation in that tool as well.
How to automate DM in Instagram?
Switch to a Business or Creator account, connect it to a tool built on the official Instagram messaging API, set a keyword trigger on a post or reel, and write the message. Instagram only allows automated DMs to people who interacted with you first.
Does auto reply work on Instagram comments?
The built-in instant reply only covers DMs. To reply to a comment with a private DM you need a comment to DM tool such as Elev8or AutoDM.
Turn your comments into leads
Set a keyword, write the DM, and let every comment get an instant reply. Free plan, about 4 minutes to set up.