Getting Started with DM Automations

Looking to boost your reach and sales on social? DM Automations are a big help!

Whether you're trying to spark conversations, drive traffic, or grow your followers, automating your DMs is a smart move. Plus, engaging content (with lots of comments and DMs) signals the algorithm to show your content to more people. So it's a win-win!

In this guide:

• Required level of access
• Step 1: Choose your trigger
• Step 2: Set up actions
• Opening DMs: Unlock multi-step messaging for Instagram
• Example automation: Comment trigger on a post

✅ Required level of access 

Before setting up DM Automation, make sure that you have “Manage” access to the inbox. Only users with Manage access can create, edit, and manage DM Automations.

How to set up DM Automation

Step 1: Choose your trigger

Start by choosing a name for this automation and selecting the social profile you're creating it for.

Now, every automation starts with a trigger. This is the moment that kicks off your interaction. Here's what you can use:

• Comment on post or reel

• Comment on live

• Direct message

• Story reply

Next, set one or more keywords that will trigger the automation (like "discount", "info", "link").

For comment triggers, you'll need to choose whether this applies to a specific post or reel or all posts.

Step 2: Set up actions

Different triggers unlock different action types based on the social platform:

Instagram:

• Trigger = DM:

  • Actions: Send a DM (text with optional link, image, video, or card)

• Trigger = Comment:

  • Actions:

    • Reply with Comment (text only)

    • Reply with DM (text, optional link, image, video, or card)

Facebook:

• Trigger = DM:

  • Actions: Send a DM (text with optional link, image, video, or card)

• Trigger = Comment:

  • Actions:

    • Reply with Comment (text, image, or video)

    • Reply with DM (text, optional link, image, video, or card)

Opening DMs: Unlock multi-step messaging for Instagram

Instagram has a unique rule: you can only DM someone if they've messaged you in the past 7 days.

That’s where Opening DMs comes in. When you reply to a comment with a DM, you can include a button that, when clicked, enables a two-way conversation. This opens the door to send follow-ups, offers, and more.

Use Opening DMs to:

1. Send that first message when someone interacts (like replying to a comment).
2. Add a button they can tap to "unlock" the full convo.
3. Follow up with additional messages, links, or next steps once they engage.

Without the user clicking the button, you're limited to just one message within 7 days.

Example automation: Comment trigger on a post

Let’s say someone comments "info" on your latest reel. Here’s how you can set it up:

1. Trigger: Comment on a specific post with the keyword "info" and require them to be a follower.

1. Action 1: Reply to the comment (e.g., "Check your DMs for the info! 👀")
   

2. Action 2: Send an Opening DM with a button ("Hey! Want the deets? Tap below")
   

3. Action 3: Once they click the button, follow up with your offer link or details