Someone comments “link?” on your Reel. You’re in a meeting. Three hours later you respond. They’ve already bought from someone else.
Instagram auto reply solves this. When someone comments, replies to your Story, or sends a DM with a trigger word, they get your response instantly. No manual work. No missed sales. No copying and pasting the same message 47 times a day.
This guide covers every way to set up automatic replies on Instagram: the free native options Instagram provides, third-party automation tools that handle comment-to-DM, and the step-by-step setup for each type of auto reply. You’ll know exactly which option fits your situation by the end.
TL;DR
Instagram auto reply sends automatic messages when someone interacts with your account. There are three main options: Instagram’s native Quick Replies (free, manual insertion), Meta Business Suite automation (free, limited to instant/away messages), and third-party tools (paid, full automation).
Native options (free):
- Quick Replies: Save frequently-used messages, tap to insert. Still requires you to manually open each DM.
- Meta Business Suite: Set up instant replies and away messages. Auto-sends but limited to simple greetings.
Third-party tools ($8-49/month):
- CreatorFlow: $15/mo flat rate, comment-to-DM, fastest setup
- ManyChat: $15-115+/mo (scales with contacts), multi-platform, advanced workflows
- blabla.ai: €19-49/mo, AI-powered replies, comment moderation
- LinkDM: $19/mo flat rate, 37K+ users, established
Three types of auto reply:
- Comment auto reply: Someone comments “LINK” → instant DM with your link
- Story reply auto reply: Someone replies to your Story → automated response
- DM keyword auto reply: Someone DMs “PRICE” → pricing info sent automatically
Bottom line: Use free Quick Replies if you get under 20 DMs/day. Use third-party tools if you need comment-to-DM automation, 24/7 responses, or handle 20+ daily messages.
What Is Instagram Auto Reply?
Instagram auto reply is any system that sends messages automatically when someone interacts with your Instagram account. The “auto” part means you don’t manually type or send each message.
Three levels of automation:
-
Quick Replies (Semi-automatic): You save messages, then tap to insert them. You still open each DM and send manually.
-
Meta Business Suite (Basic automatic): Instagram sends instant replies or away messages automatically, but only for initial greetings.
-
Third-party tools (Full automatic): Software sends DMs automatically based on triggers you set: comments, Story replies, or DM keywords.
Why auto reply matters:
People expect fast responses on Instagram. According to messaging platform research, most customers expect replies within minutes on social media, not hours. But you can’t be online 24/7. Auto reply bridges this gap.
What auto reply can do:
- Send instant responses when you’re sleeping or busy
- Deliver affiliate links the moment someone asks
- Acknowledge Story replies immediately
- Answer common questions (pricing, shipping, availability)
- Capture emails before sending content
- Handle hundreds of messages without manual work
What auto reply cannot do:
- Send unsolicited messages to random accounts (that’s spam)
- Message people who haven’t engaged with you first
- Replace genuine conversation for complex sales
- Bypass Instagram’s rate limits (200 DMs/hour max via API)
The right auto reply setup depends on your volume and needs. Let’s break down each option.
Native Options: Instagram’s Built-in Quick Replies
Instagram offers two free native features for faster responses: Quick Replies (saved replies) and Meta Business Suite automation.
Instagram Quick Replies (Saved Replies)
Quick Replies let you save frequently-used messages and insert them with a keyboard shortcut. It’s like text expansion for your DMs.
How Quick Replies work:
- You send a message you want to reuse
- Long-press the message, tap “More,” then “Save”
- Create a shortcut (like “link1” or “price”)
- Next time, type your shortcut and tap the suggestion to insert
What Quick Replies can do:
- Store unlimited pre-written messages
- Insert full messages with 2 taps
- Work in any DM conversation
- Save time on repetitive responses
What Quick Replies cannot do:
- Send messages automatically (you must manually open each DM)
- Respond when you’re offline or sleeping
- Reply to comments on posts or Reels
- Work without you being present
Quick Replies are best for:
- Creators getting fewer than 20 DMs daily
- Responses that need personal customization
- Anyone who’s always available to check DMs
- Budget: $0
Setup steps:
- Switch to Professional account (Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account)
- Open any DM conversation
- Send the message you want to save
- Long-press the sent message → More → Save
- Create a shortcut (keep it short: “link1”, “price”, “faq”)
- To use: Type your shortcut in any conversation, tap the suggestion
Quick Replies are documented in Instagram’s Help Center (accessed January 2026) and require a Business or Creator account.
Meta Business Suite Automation
Meta Business Suite offers basic auto-reply features for instant replies and away messages. These send automatically without you doing anything.
Available automations:
- Instant Reply: Automatically greets anyone who messages you for the first time
- Away Message: Sends when someone messages outside your set business hours
- Frequently Asked Questions: Set up common questions with automatic answers
How to set up Instant Reply:
- Open Meta Business Suite Inbox
- Click “Automations” in the menu
- Navigate to “Instant Reply” and toggle it on
- Select Instagram (check the box)
- Write your greeting message
- Click “Save Changes”
How to set up Away Message:
- Open Meta Business Suite Inbox → Automations
- Navigate to “Away Message”
- Select Instagram and click “+Add Time”
- Set your business hours
- Write your away message
- Save
Limitations of Meta Business Suite:
- Only handles initial greetings and away messages
- No comment-to-DM automation
- No keyword triggers in DMs
- No email capture
- No link tracking
- Cannot send links automatically when someone comments
Meta Business Suite is free and useful for basic acknowledgments, but it can’t handle the “comment LINK for the product” use case that most creators need.
Third-Party Tools: Comment-to-DM Automation
Third-party automation tools connect to Instagram through the official Graph API and offer full automation capabilities that native features can’t match.
What third-party tools add:
- Comment-to-DM: Someone comments “LINK” on your post → they instantly get a DM with your link
- Story reply automation: Auto-respond to anyone who replies to your Story
- Keyword triggers: Auto-reply when someone DMs specific words (“PRICE”, “INFO”)
- Email capture: Ask for email before sending content
- Link tracking: See who clicked your links
- Analytics: Track conversions and performance
- 24/7 operation: Works while you sleep
Tool Comparison (January 2026)
| Tool | Price | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| CreatorFlow | $15/mo flat | Solo creators, affiliates | Fastest setup, real-time preview |
| ManyChat | $15-115+/mo | Agencies, multi-platform | Advanced workflows, AI ($29 extra) |
| blabla.ai | €19-49/mo | AI-powered responses | Smart AI replies, moderation |
| LinkDM | $19/mo flat | Established creators | 37K+ user base |
| InstantDM | $8/mo flat | Budget beginners | Lowest price |
Pricing details (verified January 2026):
CreatorFlow (creatorflow.so/pricing):
- Free: 500 DMs/month
- Pro: $15/month (5,000 DMs/month, 2 workspaces)
- Growth: $29/month (10,000 DMs/month, 5 workspaces)
ManyChat (manychat.com/pricing):
- Free: Up to 1,000 contacts, limited features
- Pro: $15/month for 500 contacts, scales to $115+/month at 10K contacts
- AI features: Additional $29/month
blabla.ai (blabla.ai/pricing):
- Free: €0/month (100 actions/month)
- Standard: €19/month (unlimited actions, 5,000 automation runs)
- Pro: €49/month (advanced features)
LinkDM (linkdm.me):
- $19/month flat rate (unlimited contacts)
All tools listed use Instagram’s official Graph API, which means your account stays safe from bans when using them correctly.
Auto Reply to Comments (How to Set Up)
Comment-to-DM automation is the most popular auto reply type. When someone comments a trigger word on your post, they instantly receive a DM with your content.
Example flow:
- You post a Reel about your skincare routine
- Caption says: “Comment ROUTINE for all the products!”
- Someone comments “ROUTINE”
- Within 2-3 seconds, they get a DM: “Here’s my full skincare routine with links: [URL]”
This happens automatically, 24/7, whether you’re awake or not.
Why Comment-to-DM Works
- Intent signal: People who comment explicitly asked for something
- Speed: Instant delivery captures them while they’re engaged
- Conversion: DMs convert 3-5X better than bio links because the content arrives directly
Step-by-Step Setup with CreatorFlow
Step 1: Create your account
- Go to creatorflow.so and sign up
- No credit card required for free tier
Step 2: Connect your Instagram
- Click “Connect Instagram”
- Log in through Meta’s official authorization (you’ll see Meta’s login screen)
- Grant permissions when prompted
- Requires Business or Creator account
Step 3: Create new automation
- Click “New Automation” or “Create”
- Select “Comment-to-DM” as trigger type
Step 4: Choose your post
- Select an existing post from your feed, OR
- Set automation to apply to future posts
Step 5: Set trigger words
- Enter the word(s) that trigger your automation
- Examples: LINK, RECIPE, GUIDE, WORKOUT, INFO
- Keep triggers simple (one word, easy to type on mobile)
Step 6: Write your DM message
- Keep it under 100 words
- Include the link or content you promised
- Add personality (not just “Here’s the link”)
- Include a call-to-action
Example message:
“Hey! Here’s my full skincare routine with all the product links: [URL]
Pro tip: Start with the cleanser and vitamin C serum first. You’ll see results in 2-3 weeks.
Questions? Just reply here!”
Step 7: (Optional) Add email capture
- Enable “Collect email before sending”
- Automation will ask for email first, then send your content
- Typical capture rates: 30-50%
Step 8: Preview and test
- Use the preview feature to see exactly how your DM will look
- Test by commenting your trigger word on your own post
- Verify message arrives correctly
Step 9: Activate
- Turn on the automation
- Monitor analytics for performance
ManyChat Setup (Alternative)
ManyChat’s setup is similar but with more complex options:
- Create ManyChat account at manychat.com
- Connect Instagram through Facebook authorization
- Go to Automation → Growth Tools → Comments
- Create a new “Comments Growth Tool”
- Set trigger words
- Build your flow with the visual editor
- Add message blocks and actions
- Publish and test
ManyChat’s visual flow builder offers more advanced conditional logic but has a steeper learning curve.
Auto Reply to Story Replies
Story reply automation responds automatically when someone replies to your Instagram Story. Since Stories feel personal, automatic replies here have high engagement rates.
Example flow:
- You post a Story with a poll: “Want my free workout plan? Yes/No”
- Someone votes “Yes” and replies “Send it!”
- They instantly receive a DM: “Here’s your free workout plan: [link]“
Setting Up Story Reply Automation
With CreatorFlow:
- Go to your automation dashboard
- Select “Story Reply” as trigger type
- Choose trigger options:
- All Story replies
- Replies containing specific keywords
- Poll responses
- Write your automated response
- (Optional) Add email capture
- Activate
With ManyChat:
- Go to Automation → Triggers
- Create “Story Reply” trigger
- Set conditions (keyword match, poll answer, etc.)
- Build your response flow
- Publish
Best practices for Story replies:
- Acknowledge the Story context: “I saw you replied to my meal prep Story!”
- Deliver value immediately: Include the link or info they wanted
- Keep it conversational: Stories are personal, so sound personal
- Use for lead magnets: “What’s your email? I’ll send the full guide”
Story reply automation typically sees open rates of 40-60% because people just engaged with your content seconds ago.
For detailed Story strategies, see our Instagram Story Reply Automation Guide.
Auto Reply to DMs (Keyword Triggers)
Keyword trigger automation responds when someone sends you a DM containing specific words. This handles frequently asked questions automatically.
Example flows:
- Someone DMs “price” → Auto-sends your pricing info
- Someone DMs “shipping” → Auto-sends shipping policy
- Someone DMs “calendar” → Auto-sends your Calendly link
- Someone DMs “menu” → Auto-sends a list of options to choose from
Why Keyword Triggers Matter
People who DM you directly are warm leads. They found your profile, consumed your content, and reached out. Instant responses increase conversion rates by catching them while they’re interested.
Setting Up Keyword Triggers
With CreatorFlow:
- Create new automation
- Select “DM Keyword” as trigger type
- Enter trigger keywords: PRICE, INFO, HELP, BOOK, etc.
- Write response for each keyword
- (Optional) Create a menu system with multiple options
- Activate
Example keyword setup:
Keyword: PRICE
“Thanks for asking! Here’s my coaching program pricing:
- 4-week program: $497
- 12-week transformation: $1,297
Want to see if we’re a good fit? Book a free 15-min call: [Calendly link]”
Keyword: SHIPPING
“We ship to US, Canada, UK, and EU countries. Standard shipping takes 5-7 business days. Express (2-3 days) available at checkout.
Track your order anytime at: [tracking link]”
Keyword: MENU or HELP
“Hey! I can help with:
- Reply PRICE for coaching costs
- Reply TESTIMONIALS for client results
- Reply BOOK to schedule a call
- Reply HUMAN to chat with me directly
What would you like?”
Advanced: Multi-Step Conversations
Some tools (ManyChat, blabla.ai) support multi-step flows:
- User DMs “help”
- Bot asks: “Are you interested in coaching, courses, or free resources?”
- User replies “coaching”
- Bot sends coaching info and asks: “Want to book a discovery call?”
- User replies “yes”
- Bot sends Calendly link
This creates conversational experiences but requires more setup time.
Best Practices for Auto Reply Messages
Your automation is only as good as your messages. Here’s how to write auto replies that convert:
Do: Sound Human
Bad:
“Thank you for your interest. Here is the link you requested: [URL]”
Good:
“Hey! Here’s that skincare routine you asked about: [URL]
Quick tip: The vitamin C serum made the biggest difference for me. Start there!
Let me know if you have questions!”
Do: Deliver What You Promised
If your caption said “comment RECIPE for my 5-ingredient dinner,” send the actual recipe. Don’t send a sales pitch or unrelated content. Bait-and-switch destroys trust.
Do: Add Extra Value
Include a tip, bonus, or personal insight beyond the bare minimum. This makes people feel like they got more than expected.
Do: Include a Clear Next Step
Every auto reply should have a call-to-action:
- “Reply if you have questions!”
- “Book a call here: [link]”
- “Check your email for the full guide”
- “Follow for more tips like this”
Don’t: Write Novels
Keep messages under 100 words. People skim DMs on their phones. Long paragraphs get ignored.
Don’t: Use Aggressive Sales Language
Bad:
“LIMITED TIME OFFER!!! BUY NOW before it’s GONE!!!”
Good:
“The course is $297 right now. Use code INSTAGRAM for 15% off this week.”
Don’t: Send Multiple Follow-Ups
One follow-up is fine. Two is pushing it. Five is spam. If someone doesn’t respond to your auto reply, they’re not interested. Move on.
Don’t: Ignore the 24-Hour Window
Instagram’s API only lets you message people who engaged in the last 24 hours. Your automation tool handles this automatically, but don’t expect to message someone who commented last week.
Message Templates That Work
For affiliate links:
“Here’s the [product] I mentioned: [affiliate link]
I’ve used this for 6+ months and it’s my favorite. Let me know what you think!”
For lead magnets:
“Your free [guide/template/checklist] is ready!
What’s the best email to send it to? Reply with your email and I’ll send it right over.”
For booking calls:
“Thanks for your interest! I’d love to chat about how [service] can help you.
Grab a time that works: [Calendly link]
Talk soon!”
For pricing inquiries:
“Here’s what [service/product] includes: [Brief bullet points]
Investment: $[price]
Questions? Reply here or book a call: [link]“
Choosing the Right Auto Reply Setup
Use Instagram Quick Replies (free) if:
- You get fewer than 20 DMs daily
- Each response needs personalization
- You’re always available to check messages
- Budget is $0
- You don’t need comment-to-DM
Use Meta Business Suite (free) if:
- You want basic instant replies and away messages
- You don’t need comment-to-DM automation
- You want zero cost
- Simple greetings are sufficient
Use third-party tools ($8-49/mo) if:
- You need comment-to-DM automation
- You get 20+ daily DMs or comments
- You want 24/7 automatic responses
- You need email capture
- You want link tracking and analytics
- Speed directly impacts your conversions
Tool recommendations:
- Just starting out, budget-conscious: InstantDM ($8/mo) or CreatorFlow free tier
- Solo creator, affiliate, coach: CreatorFlow ($15/mo) - fastest setup, flat pricing
- Need AI-powered responses: blabla.ai (€19-49/mo)
- Agency or multi-platform: ManyChat ($15+/mo)
- Want established track record: LinkDM ($19/mo)
FAQ
Is Instagram auto reply against Instagram’s rules?
No, if you use Instagram’s official features (Quick Replies, Meta Business Suite) or third-party tools that connect through Instagram’s Graph API. Tools like CreatorFlow, ManyChat, LinkDM, and blabla.ai use the official API and are safe. Avoid browser bots or tools that ask for your password as those violate terms and risk bans.
Can I auto reply to comments on my posts?
Not with Instagram’s native features. Quick Replies and Meta Business Suite only work for DMs. To auto-reply to comments (the “comment LINK for the product” use case), you need a third-party tool like CreatorFlow, ManyChat, or blabla.ai. These tools send a DM automatically when someone comments your trigger word.
How much does Instagram auto reply cost?
Free options: Instagram Quick Replies and Meta Business Suite cost nothing. Third-party tools: CreatorFlow starts at $15/month, ManyChat at $15/month (scales with contacts), blabla.ai at €19/month, LinkDM at $19/month, InstantDM at $8/month. Most solo creators pay $15-20/month for full automation.
Will auto reply get my account banned?
Not if you use legitimate tools with Instagram’s API. All major automation tools (CreatorFlow, ManyChat, LinkDM, blabla.ai) use Instagram’s official Graph API, which is Meta-sanctioned. You will risk bans if you use browser bots, tools asking for your password, or send spam to people who didn’t engage with you. Verified January 2026.
What’s the difference between Quick Replies and DM automation?
Quick Replies save messages for faster manual insertion. You still open each DM and tap to send. DM automation sends messages automatically without you doing anything. Quick Replies save typing time. Automation saves your presence entirely.
How many auto replies can I send per hour?
Instagram’s API limits automated DMs to 200 per hour. All legitimate third-party tools respect this limit automatically. For context, 200/hour means 4,800/day. Most creators never hit this unless a post goes viral with hundreds of comments per hour. If you consistently hit limits, you have a good problem.
Can I capture emails with auto reply?
Yes, with third-party tools. CreatorFlow, ManyChat, and others let you ask for an email before sending your content. The automation asks “What’s your email?”, the person replies, and the tool saves it while sending your content. Typical email capture rates: 30-50%. Native Instagram features don’t support email capture.
Does auto reply work for Instagram Reels comments?
Yes. Third-party automation tools work for comments on all post types: Reels, static posts, carousels, and IGTV. When someone comments your trigger word on any content type, they get your automated DM. Reels typically generate the most comments, making them ideal for comment-to-DM automation.
Your Next Steps
If you’re starting with free options:
- Switch to a Business/Creator account
- Set up 3-5 Quick Replies for your most common responses
- Configure Meta Business Suite instant reply and away message
- Use for 2 weeks and track how much time you save
If you’re ready for full automation:
- Try CreatorFlow’s free tier (500 DMs/month)
- Set up one comment-to-DM automation for your next Reel
- Test by commenting your trigger word
- Monitor results for 2 weeks
- Add Story reply and keyword automations
Related guides:
- Instagram DM Automation Complete Guide - Deep dive into how automation works
- Comment-to-DM Automation Setup Guide - Step-by-step with screenshots
- Instagram Story Reply Automation - Story-specific strategies
- Instagram Keyword Trigger Automation - Advanced keyword setups
- Instagram Saved Replies vs DM Automation - Detailed comparison
Ready to automate your Instagram replies? CreatorFlow offers 500 free DMs/month to get started. Set up your first comment-to-DM automation in 5 minutes and stop manually responding to “link please” forever.
👉 Start free at creatorflow.so
Pricing verified via official websites: creatorflow.so/pricing, manychat.com/pricing, blabla.ai/pricing, linkdm.me (accessed January 13, 2026). Instagram Quick Replies and Meta Business Suite features verified via Instagram Help Center and Meta Business Suite documentation (accessed January 2026). All third-party tools listed use Instagram’s official Graph API.
