---
title: "Instagram Email List Playbook: Gift, Keyword, Email Gate"
description: "Build an Instagram email list with a free gift, a comment keyword and Email Gate. The steps, gifts and DMs to copy, and how to export your emails."
url: "https://creatorflow.so/playbooks/instagram-email-list-building"
language: "en"
---

INSTAGRAM DM AUTOMATION GUIDE · 3 MIN READ

# Instagram email list building

To build an email list from Instagram, offer a free gift and ask people to comment a keyword. Ask for their email in a DM before you send the gift. Email Gate does the asking on Pro and Growth. You export emails as a CSV file.

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## From comment to email

Lena offers a packing guide in exchange for an email. Emma and Lena are example accounts.

1. 1
   ### Emma comments GUIDE
   The Reel offers a free packing guide.
2. 2
   ### Emma sends her email
   A DM asks for her email. She types it in the chat.
3. 3
   ### Emma gets the guide
   The link arrives, and her email is saved to your Contacts.

## Steps

1. 1
   ### Make a gift people keep
   A checklist, a template, a short guide or a discount code. Send files as a link.
2. 2
   ### Ask for the keyword
   Say the keyword in the video and write it in the caption. Use one short word.
3. 3
   ### Create the automation
   Choose the post, type the keyword and write your DM with the link.
4. 4
   ### Turn on Email Gate
   It is in Step 3 of the builder, on Pro and Growth. It asks for an email before the link.
5. 5
   ### Export your contacts
   Open Contacts and choose Export to CSV. Import the file into your email tool.

## Gifts and keywords to copy

- GUIDE Here is the packing guide you asked for. The button opens it.
- CHECKLIST Here is the checklist. I send one email a week with new ideas. You can leave at any time.
- CODE Here is your discount code. The button opens the shop.

## What to know

- If a person does not send an email within about 15 minutes, CreatorFlow sends the link anyway. You do not get that email.
- Emails appear on your Contacts page next to the person's Instagram handle.
- CreatorFlow has no direct link to email tools. The CSV file is how contacts move across.
- Email Gate and CSV export are not on the Free plan. Both are on Pro and Growth, which have a 14-day trial.
- Say in the DM what you will send, so people know why you ask.

## Instagram email list building: common questions

**How do I collect emails from Instagram?**

Offer a free gift, ask people to comment a keyword, and ask for their email in the DM before you send the gift. Email Gate does this on Pro and Growth.

**What happens if someone does not give an email?**

After about 15 minutes, CreatorFlow sends the link anyway. The person gets the gift, and you do not get the email.

**How do I get emails out of CreatorFlow?**

Open Contacts and choose Export to CSV. Import the file into your email tool, such as Mailchimp or Beehiiv.

**Is Email Gate on the Free plan?**

No. Email Gate is on Pro and Growth. The Free plan has no Email Gate or CSV export.

[Next guide **Collect emails from Instagram**](https://creatorflow.so/guides/how-to-collect-emails-from-instagram)

Also read: [Collect emails in DMs](https://creatorflow.so/use-case/collect-emails), [How to collect emails from Instagram](https://creatorflow.so/guides/how-to-collect-emails-from-instagram), [How it works](https://creatorflow.so/how-it-works), [Pricing](https://creatorflow.so/pricing).

Updated November 4, 2026 by the CreatorFlow team

## Turn your next post into clicks, leads and sales

Set up your first Instagram DM automation in about 2 minutes. When someone comments your keyword, CreatorFlow sends them your DM.

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- 4.1/5 on Trustpilot
- +35,000 creators & brands +35,000 creators