Setting up CreatorFlow takes under 3 minutes from signup to first automated DM. Create a free account at creatorflow.so, connect your Instagram Business or Creator account through Meta’s OAuth flow, build a comment-to-DM automation with a keyword trigger, and test by commenting on your own post. The free plan includes 500 DMs per month with no credit card required.
You signed up for CreatorFlow. Now what?
Most creators stall right here. They create an account, poke around the dashboard, and never connect their Instagram. That means zero automations running, zero DMs sent, and zero return on CreatorFlow.
This guide walks you through every step from fresh account to first automated DM. The whole process takes about 3 minutes if you follow along. You need an Instagram Business or Creator account, and that’s it.
TL;DR
CreatorFlow setup takes under 3 minutes. Here’s the path from signup to first automated DM:
- Step 1: Create your free CreatorFlow account at creatorflow.so (30 seconds)
- Step 2: Connect your Instagram Business/Creator account via Meta OAuth (60 seconds)
- Step 3: Create your first comment-to-DM automation with a keyword trigger (60 seconds)
- Step 4: Test it by commenting on your own post (30 seconds)
- Free plan included: 500 DMs/month, no credit card required
- Requirements: Instagram Business or Creator account (not Personal)
What You Need Before Starting
Before you touch CreatorFlow, confirm these two things:
1. Instagram Business or Creator Account
CreatorFlow uses Meta’s official Instagram Graph API. This API only works with Business or Creator accounts, not Personal accounts.
To check your account type: Open Instagram, go to Settings > Account > Account type. If it says “Personal,” switch to Creator or Business. The switch is instant and free.
2. A Facebook Page Connected to Your Instagram
Meta requires your Instagram account to be linked to a Facebook Page. Most Business and Creator accounts already have this. If yours doesn’t, Instagram will prompt you to create or link one during the CreatorFlow connection process.
That’s it. No credit card, no domain, no technical setup.
Step 1: Create Your CreatorFlow Account
Go to creatorflow.so and click “Get Started Free.”
Enter your email and create a password. You’ll land on the CreatorFlow dashboard within seconds.
The Free plan gives you 500 DMs/month and 1 workspace (Instagram account). Enough to test everything before deciding if you need Pro ($15/month for 5,000 DMs and 2 workspaces).
No credit card is required for the Free plan.
Step 2: Connect Your Instagram Account
This is where most new users get stuck, but it’s straightforward once you know what to expect.
From your CreatorFlow dashboard:
- Click “Connect Instagram” (or “Add Workspace” if you’ve been in the dashboard before)
- CreatorFlow redirects you to Meta’s official OAuth login
- Log into Facebook with the account linked to your Instagram
- Select the Instagram Business/Creator account you want to connect
- Grant the requested permissions (messaging, comments, profile access)
- You’ll redirect back to CreatorFlow with your account connected
What the permissions mean:
CreatorFlow requests access through Meta’s official Instagram Graph API. The permissions allow CreatorFlow to read comments on your posts, send DMs on your behalf, and access basic profile information. CreatorFlow never sees your Instagram password. The connection uses OAuth, the same secure method used by every major app that connects to Instagram.
If the connection fails:
- Confirm your Instagram is Business or Creator (not Personal)
- Make sure your Instagram is linked to a Facebook Page
- Try logging out of Facebook, then reconnecting
- Clear your browser cache and try again
- If you manage multiple Facebook Pages, select the correct one during OAuth
For a detailed comparison of how long setup takes across different tools, see our Instagram DM automation setup time comparison.
Step 3: Create Your First Automation
Your Instagram is connected. Time to build your first comment-to-DM automation.
From the CreatorFlow dashboard:
- Click “Create Automation”
- Choose “Comment-to-DM” as your automation type
- Select which Instagram post or Reel triggers the automation
- Set your keyword trigger (e.g., “LINK”, “INFO”, or “SEND”)
- Write your DM message
- Preview the message on the phone preview screen
- Click “Activate”
Writing your first DM message:
Keep it short and direct. Here’s a template that works:
Hey {{username}}! Here's the link you asked for:
[Your link here]
Let me know if you have any questions!The {{username}} variable personalizes each DM with the commenter’s Instagram handle. This makes automated messages feel like real conversations.
Choosing your keyword trigger:
Pick something simple that you’ll include in your post caption. Common choices:
- “LINK” (for affiliate links, product pages)
- “INFO” (for service details, pricing)
- “BOOK” (for calendar/booking links)
- “FREE” (for lead magnets, free downloads)
Your caption might say: “Comment LINK below and I’ll DM you the product page instantly.”
For a deep dive into keyword strategies and message templates, check our comment-to-DM automation setup guide.
Step 4: Test Your Automation
Before telling your audience about the automation, test it yourself.
- Open Instagram on your phone
- Go to the post you selected in Step 3
- Comment your trigger keyword (e.g., “LINK”)
- Wait 5-30 seconds
- Check your Instagram DMs for the automated reply
If the DM arrives, your automation is live. If it doesn’t, check the troubleshooting section below.
Testing checklist:
- Comment matches the exact keyword you set (case-insensitive)
- The post is the one you selected in the automation
- Your automation status shows “Active” in the dashboard
- You’re commenting from a different account (some automations don’t trigger on your own comments for testing, try from a friend’s account)
Common Setup Issues and Fixes
“My Instagram won’t connect”
This almost always means your account type is wrong. Go to Instagram Settings > Account > Account type and switch to Business or Creator. If it’s already Business/Creator, make sure it’s linked to a Facebook Page.
“Connection keeps timing out”
Clear your browser cache, disable any VPN, and try in an incognito/private window. Meta’s OAuth can be finicky with cached sessions.
“I connected but don’t see my posts”
CreatorFlow pulls your recent posts after connection. Give it 30-60 seconds to sync. If posts still don’t appear, disconnect and reconnect your Instagram.
“My test comment didn’t trigger a DM”
Three things to check: (1) The automation is set to “Active,” (2) the keyword matches exactly, and (3) you’re commenting on the correct post. Also verify that the account commenting follows your Instagram, as some automations require a follow relationship.
“DM was sent but the link isn’t clickable”
Instagram only makes links clickable in DMs between accounts that follow each other. If the recipient doesn’t follow you, they’ll see the URL as plain text. They can still copy-paste it.
For more troubleshooting scenarios, our complete Instagram DM automation guide covers error codes, rate limits, and edge cases.
What to Do After Your First DM
Your automation is running. Here’s what to focus on next:
1. Promote your trigger keyword
Add your keyword CTA to every relevant post and Reel caption. Example: “Comment LINK and I’ll send it to your DMs.” The more people who comment, the more DMs your automation sends.
2. Check your analytics
CreatorFlow’s dashboard shows how many DMs were sent, which posts triggered the most automation, and your response rates. Use this data to double down on what’s working.
3. Create more automations
One automation is a start. Most active CreatorFlow users run 3-5 automations targeting different posts and keywords. Consider:
- Different keywords for different products or links
- Story reply automations for time-sensitive content
- Keyword triggers in your Instagram bio link
4. Upgrade when you hit the limit
The Free plan caps at 500 DMs/month. If you’re consistently hitting that ceiling, the Pro plan ($15/month) gives you 5,000 DMs/month and 2 workspaces. The Growth plan ($29/month) bumps that to 10,000 DMs/month per workspace with 5 workspaces.
No per-contact pricing. No hidden fees. Upgrade or downgrade anytime.
CreatorFlow Account Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Instagram account type | Business or Creator (not Personal) |
| Facebook Page | Must be linked to your Instagram |
| Credit card | Not required (Free plan) |
| Technical skills | None (point-and-click setup) |
| Setup time | Under 3 minutes |
| Free plan limit | 500 DMs/month, 1 workspace |
| Pro plan | $15/month, 5,000 DMs/month, 2 workspaces |
| Growth plan | $29/month, 10,000 DMs/month per workspace, 5 workspaces |
| API type | Meta’s official Instagram Graph API |
| Security | OAuth (no password sharing) |
FAQ
Do I need a Facebook account to use CreatorFlow?
Yes. Meta requires Instagram Business/Creator accounts to be linked to a Facebook Page. CreatorFlow connects through Meta’s official OAuth, which requires Facebook login. You don’t need to actively use Facebook, but the account and Page must exist.
Can I connect a Personal Instagram account?
No. Meta’s Instagram Graph API only supports Business and Creator accounts. Switching from Personal to Business or Creator is free and takes about 30 seconds in Instagram Settings > Account > Account type.
Is my Instagram password shared with CreatorFlow?
No. CreatorFlow uses Meta’s OAuth protocol. You log into Facebook directly on Meta’s website, and Meta sends CreatorFlow an access token. CreatorFlow never sees or stores your Instagram password.
What happens if I hit my DM limit on the Free plan?
CreatorFlow pauses your automations for the rest of the billing period. No overage charges. You can upgrade to Pro ($15/month for 5,000 DMs) or wait for the next month to reset.
Can I disconnect my Instagram and reconnect later?
Yes. Go to CreatorFlow Settings, click “Disconnect” next to your Instagram account. You can reconnect anytime. Your automation configurations are saved, but they won’t run while disconnected.
Does CreatorFlow work with Instagram Reels?
Yes. You can set comment-to-DM automations on Reels, regular posts, and carousels. The setup process is identical regardless of post type.
Ready to send your first automated DM? Start free at creatorflow.so and connect your Instagram in under 3 minutes. No credit card, no complex setup, no risk.
Related guides:
- How long does Instagram DM automation take to set up? - Compare setup times across CreatorFlow, ManyChat, LinkDM, and more
- Comment-to-DM automation: complete setup guide - Deep dive into keyword triggers, templates, and optimization
- Instagram DM automation: complete guide - Everything about DM automation types, tools, and strategies
Disclaimer: Feature availability and pricing reflect CreatorFlow as of February 2026. Instagram's API policies and rate limits are set by Meta and may change. CreatorFlow uses Meta's official Instagram Graph API and is a Meta-Verified Tech Provider. Always review Meta's current developer policies for the latest requirements. Setup times are estimates based on typical user experience and may vary depending on account configuration and internet connection.
Sources:
- ManyChat pricing: manychat.com/pricing
- LinkDM pricing: linkdm.com/pricing
- Instagram API limits: Meta Developer Documentation
All external data verified as of February 2026.
