How to Set Up Keyword Triggers

TL;DR:Keywords tell your automation when to fire. Add up to 20 text-only keywords per automation. On Keyword DM Reply automations, "Any word" replies to every DM. Keywords are case-insensitive. Stick to simple text — special characters and non-Latin tone marks can cause issues.

What Are Keyword Triggers?

Keywords are the words your audience types to activate your automation. When someone comments or DMs one of your keywords, CreatorFlow sends them your pre-set message and link.

You set keywords in Step 1 of the automation builder, when you choose your trigger. (Step 2 is the Public Reply.)

How Many Keywords Can I Add?

Each automation supports up to 20 keywords. You can use single words or short phrases.

Suggested keywords that work well: link, shop, order, buy, price, discount, info, details.

Pick words that match what your audience naturally types.

Are Keywords Case-Sensitive?

No. Keywords are fully case-insensitive.

If your keyword is "link," all of these trigger your automation: "link," "Link," "LINK," "LiNk." You only need to add the keyword once.

What Is the "Any Word" Option?

The "Any word" option is available only on Keyword DM Reply automations — the ones that auto-reply to your DMs. With it selected, every DM your account receives triggers the reply, regardless of what the person writes. It's not available on comment-to-DM or story reply automations.

When to use "Any word"

Use it on a Keyword DM Reply automation when you want everyone who DMs you to get an instant response — like a welcome message or your main link. For comment-to-DM and story automations, set specific keywords instead.

Which Characters Work as Keywords?

Stick to plain text keywords. Letters and numbers work reliably.

If you need a keyword with a special character — like "5€" — use a text-only version instead, such as "5euros" or "precio."

What works

English letters, numbers, common words in Latin-alphabet languages.

What may not work

Special characters like €, £, %, or #. Emojis. Non-Latin characters with tone marks (Greek accented characters, Arabic diacritics).

Common Keyword Issues

Still need help? The fastest way to get help is the in-app chat — bottom-right corner inside the app.

Keyword not triggering

Likely cause: Testing from the same account. Fix: Use a different Instagram account to test.

Special character keyword fails

Likely cause: €, emojis, or accented characters. Fix: Switch to a text-only keyword.

Multiple automations conflict

Likely cause: Same keyword on overlapping triggers. Fix: Use unique keywords per automation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does keyword matching work with multi-word phrases?+

Yes. You can use single words or short phrases as keywords. If your keyword is "free guide," the automation triggers when someone types exactly "free guide" in their comment or DM.

What happens if two automations share the same keyword on different posts?+

Each automation is tied to a specific post or story, and each post can only have one automation. That means comment keywords can't conflict on the same post. You can reuse the same keyword across different posts and trigger types — each automation fires independently on its own content.

Can I change keywords on a live automation without pausing it?+

Yes. You can edit keywords on a live automation at any time. Changes take effect immediately. New comments with updated keywords will trigger the automation; old keywords that were removed will stop triggering.

Does the "Any word" option work with story reply automations?+

No — "Any word" is only available on Keyword DM Reply automations, which reply to every DM your account receives. Comment-to-DM and story reply automations always use specific keywords.

Last updated: April 2026