Comment to DM automations
Build the flow
- 1Create the automation
Choose the Comment keyword trigger when you create it, or start from the Comment to DM link template.
- 2Set the keywords
Select the trigger step and enter the words people should comment, separated by commas.
- 3Choose the posts
Under Posts, keep All posts or pick Specific posts.
- 4Write the message
Select the message step and write the DM that delivers what the post promised.
- 5Test and publish
Try it with Test flow and a sample comment, then select Publish.
Instagram's rules and what ChatPeak does
| Instagram's rule | What ChatPeak does |
|---|---|
| One private reply per comment, within 7 days of the comment | Sends the first message of the flow as the private reply. Comments older than 7 days are skipped. |
| A private reply can only be text | Publishing is refused while that first message offers quick replies or buttons. Put options in a later message. |
| More messages only after the person answers | Pauses the flow before its next message and continues when that person sends a DM. |
Steps that send nothing, such as a tag action, run right after the private reply. Only the next message waits. The details, with links to Meta's documentation, are in how comment-to-DM automation works.
Choose which posts it answers
With Specific posts, select Choose posts to pick posts and reels from your connected accounts. The automation then ignores comments on other posts. If several automations could answer a comment, one for that specific post goes first, and a keyword match beats an automation without keywords.
Reply publicly too
Switch on Reply publicly too on the trigger step to post a short answer under the comment, such as "Sent you a DM!". It is posted once, right after the private reply went out. Add up to five versions of up to 300 characters each and ChatPeak picks one at random for each comment. {{first_name}} and {{username}} work here as well.
If Instagram refuses the public reply, the flow carries on and the automation's activity shows why.
What else to know
- Your own comments are ignored
Comments from the connected account, including ChatPeak's public replies, never start an automation.
- Every commenter becomes a contact
With the source Instagram comment. Tag them in the flow with a tag action.
- Follower checks need a message first
Instagram shares follower status only once the person has messaged you, so a follower condition takes the No branch before that.
- Each private reply counts
It counts toward your plan's automated replies. Public replies do not. See plans and billing.
For ideas and a summary of the feature, see Instagram comment to DM.