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Vista Social lets you reward engagement while growing your audience. When someone comments a keyword in your post or Reel, the automation first checks whether they follow you. If they don't, it asks them to follow before delivering the reward (a discount code, image, or file).
Step 1: Create the automation
Go to the Automations section → Create automation.
In the Setup new automation window, select Ready-to-Go templates → Continue.
Step 2: Select the template
In Ready-to-Go templates, choose Grow followers with a freebie → Select template.
Review the template overview, then click Set up template.
Step 3: Configure the trigger
On the Edit automation screen:
- Detect intent – describe what triggers the reply (e.g., User is asking for a freebie).
- Must include keywords – add the keyword(s) you want the automation to watch for. Leave blank to rely on intent detection.
- Must not contain keywords – optional exclusions.
- Followers only – set to Yes. This is what gates the reward behind a follow.
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Reply message – write the public comment reply, e.g.:
Hello, thanks for your interest! The file available is for our followers only, please follow us first then let us know so we can send you the file!
Click Continue.
Step 4: Set the action and attach the reward
On the Edit actions screen, choose the delivery action and attach your reward.
Use the tabs (AI, Text, Image, Video, PDF, Card) to match your reward type, then click the + button to add your file and pick a source: Upload from computer, Upload from URL, Choose from library, or a connected app (Bynder, Canva, Dropbox, Google drive, OneDrive).
For a discount code, use the Text tab; for a file, use PDF (or Image / Video as needed).
Step 5: Save
Click Save and Set Live to publish the automation, or Save to keep it as a draft.
Sample automation run:
Once live, a non-follower who comments your keyword gets a DM asking them to follow first, with a Following you! Button (Note that it will keep prompting them to follow you until they actually do). After they confirm, the automation delivers the reward as shown below:
Important Instagram only lets you send one message until the user opts in. Using Opening DM as the first action prompts that opt-in, so your follow-up messages (including the freebie) deliver reliably. Set the Opening DM first, then add your reward as a following action. For full details, see How to Send More Than One Message. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which platforms support this automation?
A: Currently available on Instagram and TikTok only. On Instagram you can deliver text, images, videos, PDFs, and Cards. On TikTok, only text messages are supported.
Q: What can I deliver as a reward?
A: Any lead magnet or resource you want to share, such as a discount/coupon code (text), an image, a video, a PDF, or a Card.
Q: What happens if the commenter already follows the account?
A: With Followers only set to Yes, followers receive the reward directly. Non-followers are asked to follow first before the reward is sent.
Q: My DM isn't sending - why?
A: Instagram only lets you send one message until the user opts in. Use Opening DM as the first action instead (see the section above) so succeeding messages after they have opted in are successfully sent.
Need a hand setting this up? Reach out to our support team - we're happy to help. 💙
Need further help?
If you have any questions or need additional help, feel free to contact our awesome support team. We are here to assist you! 💙
Related Reading:
Inbox Automation Triggers & Actions by Network
Automating Your Inbox: Internal Routing & Organizing
Ready-to-Use Inbox Automation Prompts
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