Are You Testing from Your Own Account?
This is the #1 reason automations appear broken.
CreatorFlow does not trigger automations when you comment on your own post or DM yourself. This is by design.
You must test from a different Instagram account. Have a friend or second account comment the keyword on your post.
Testing from your own account will never trigger the automation. Always use a separate Instagram account to test.
Did You Select the Wrong Automation Type?
Check that the trigger type matches what you want. Each automation type responds to a different action:
Triggers when someone comments on a post or reel.
Triggers when someone reacts to or replies to a story.
Triggers when someone sends you a DM containing a keyword.
If you created a Keyword DM Reply but expect post comments to trigger it, it won't work. Make sure the automation type matches the user action you're targeting.
Has Your Instagram Token Expired?
If your automation worked before but stopped, your connection may have expired. This happens after:
Changing your Instagram password
A security check from Instagram
Revoking app permissions in your Facebook or Instagram settings
Go to Workspace Settings
Navigate to Workspace Settings > IG Account.
Check connection status
If the status shows disconnected or expired, click to reconnect your Instagram.
Complete the authorization
Follow the Facebook/Instagram authorization flow to re-establish the connection.
Disconnecting deletes all automations permanently. Note down your settings before disconnecting.
Are You Using Special Characters in Keywords?
Keywords with €, emojis, or special characters may not trigger reliably. Use text-only alternatives instead:
Instead of "5€" use "5euros"
Instead of emoji keywords, use text words
Stick to plain alphanumeric characters for the most reliable keyword matching.
Was the Automation Created Before February 2026?
Older automations may not work correctly after platform updates. Symptoms include: the public reply works but no DM is sent, or the Follow Gate doesn't appear.
Delete the old automation
Remove the automation that was created before the platform update.
Create a new one
Recreate the automation with the same settings. New automations use the latest platform integration.
Deleted automations cannot be recovered. Make sure to note your settings before deleting.
Is Your "Any Post/Reel" Trigger Not Firing?
If the global trigger ("Any Post/Reel") isn't working, try creating an automation for a specific post instead.
This can help narrow down whether the issue is with the global trigger or something else in your setup.
Debugging Checklist
Run through each item to confirm your setup is correct:
I tested from a different Instagram account (not my own)
My automation type matches my goal (Comment-to-DM, Story Reply, or Keyword DM)
My Instagram account is still connected (Workspace Settings > IG Account)
I have not changed my Instagram password recently
My keywords are plain text (no emojis, no special characters)
My automation was created recently (if old, recreate it)
The automation is toggled ON and saved
Still need help? Contact us at hello@creatorflow.so or use the chat widget inside the app (bottom-right corner).