Instagram DM auto reply for the questions you answer every day
When someone DMs you a keyword like PRICE, FEES or MENU, Comment Kro replies with the answer you prepared, within seconds and from your own account.
DM auto-reply, explained
Most DMs to a small business ask the same few things: the price, the sizes, the timings, how to order. An Instagram DM auto reply lets you write those answers once and send them as soon as the question arrives, including late at night when you are offline.
In Comment Kro this is the "Direct message" trigger, a simple form of Instagram DM automation: you set an auto reply for each Instagram DM keyword, and messages that match get it. With "Contains any keyword", both "price kya hai?" and "PRICE pls" get the answer. "Exact match" only responds when the whole message is a keyword, which suits short codes like MENU. Capital letters don't matter.
Because the person messaged you first, Instagram lets you reply within a 24-hour window, and an automatic reply goes out long before it closes. Write your Instagram auto reply message the way you would type it yourself: up to 2,000 characters, with {{sender_name}} for their username and {{comment_text}} to repeat what they wrote.
How it works
Set it up in a few minutes
Every step below uses the same labels you see in the Comment Kro builder.
- 1
Choose the "Direct message" trigger
Create an automation, name it and pick your account in Basics, then select "Direct message" in the Trigger step.
- 2
Add the words people really type
Add each keyword as a chip, for example PRICE, RATE and COST. Include short forms and common spellings, since few people type the exact word you expect.
- 3
Pick a match mode
Use "Contains any keyword" for most questions, "Contains all keywords" when two words must appear together, and "Exact match" for one-word codes. "Reply to every message" answers all new DMs instead.
- 4
Write the answer
In the Message step, put the key fact first, add a link if needed, and say what to do next. The delay slider can hold the reply for anywhere from 0 to 60 seconds.
- 5
Tap "Launch automation"
The Review step sums up your account, trigger, keywords and message. Once it looks right, launch it, and matching DMs get your answer within seconds, plus any delay.
Examples
Automations you can copy
Swap in your own keyword, message and link.
Home baker:keyword MENU DM:Hi {{sender_name}}! This week: brownies ₹450 a box, banana bread ₹380, cupcakes ₹600 for 6. Please order 2 days ahead. Full menu and order form: https://yourlink.com/menu
Coaching institute:keyword FEES DM:Hello {{sender_name}}, the Class 10 maths batch is ₹2,500 a month, Mon, Wed and Fri, 5-6:30 pm, online or at the centre. Timetable and free demo class form: https://yourlink.com/class10-batch
Clothing reseller:keyword SIZE DM:Hi {{sender_name}}, our kurtas come in S to XXL. If you are between sizes, go one up. Measurements are in the size chart: https://yourlink.com/size-chart Reply with the product code and size to order.
Wedding photographer:keyword PACKAGES DM:Hi {{sender_name}}, thanks for asking! Wedding packages start at ₹75,000 for one day of photography. All packages and sample albums: https://yourlink.com/wedding-packages Share your date and city to check availability.
Use cases
Who uses it, and for what
Prices and stock
Shops and resellers answer PRICE, RATE and STOCK messages with the price list and an order link.
Class and batch details
Tutors and dance or yoga teachers send timings, fees and the sign-up form when someone messages FEES or BATCH.
"DM me GUIDE" calls to action
Say "DM me GUIDE" in a Reel or story, and people who message GUIDE get the download link, without a comment thread full of keywords.
After-hours questions
Late-night messages get an answer straight away, and you continue the conversation yourself the next morning.
Instagram's rules, in plain words
Comment Kro runs on the official Instagram API, so these limits apply to every automation.
- You can only auto reply to people who messaged you first. Cold DMs to people who never contacted you are not allowed.
- A reply must go out within 24 hours of the person's latest message, and each new message from them opens a fresh 24-hour window.
- Automated answers should be honest about being automated and stay on topic. Repetitive or deceptive messages count as spam.
- Instagram only sends message events for public accounts, so your Business or Creator account has to be public.
FAQ
Questions about dm auto-reply
How is DM auto-reply different from comment to DM?
Comment to DM starts from a comment on your post and sends a private reply to that comment. DM auto-reply starts when someone messages you directly. Both end in a DM, but this one also reaches people who never commented, like those who found you through a story or your profile.
Can different keywords get different replies?
Yes. Make one automation per topic, such as PRICE in one and ADDRESS in another. There is no limit on automations on any plan, so you can cover all your common questions.
Will it reply to every message I receive?
Only if you switch on "Reply to every message". Otherwise it answers the messages that match your keywords, and everything else waits in your inbox for you.
Can it send follow-up messages later?
No. There are no drip or follow-up sequences. Comment Kro answers matching messages with your prepared reply, and if the person writes back, you continue the chat yourself inside the 24-hour window.
Koi PRICE likh ke DM kare toh kya reply apne aap chala jayega?
Yes. Add PRICE as a keyword on a "Direct message" automation and write your answer. When someone sends PRICE, or a longer message containing it with "Contains any keyword" selected, they get your reply within seconds.
Should the reply say that it is automated?
It helps. Instagram expects automated messages to be honest, so write in your own voice and add a line like "This is an automatic reply. I'll read your message soon." if people might expect a live chat.
Try it on your next post
Connect Instagram, pick a post and launch your first automation. Free plan, no card needed.