Guide
Instagram auto reply: four kinds, one set of rules.
Auto reply on Instagram means a rule sends a message when something happens. This guide covers the four common kinds, the Meta rules that limit them, and how to set them up with DMParrot.
The kinds of Instagram auto reply
Comment keyword to private reply DM
A person comments a keyword on your post or reel. The rule sends a private reply DM, often with a link. This is the most common kind.
DM keyword
A person sends you a DM that contains a keyword. The rule replies with the matching message.
Story reply
A person replies to your story. The rule sends a DM in response.
New follower welcome
A person follows your account. The rule sends a welcome DM.
Meta rules you must follow
One private reply per comment. You send it within 7 days of the comment.
Follow-ups need a reply first. After your first message, the person must reply before you send more, and the follow-up must be inside the 24-hour window.
No promotional messages outside the 24-hour window.
You also need an Instagram professional account linked to a Facebook Page.
How to set it up with DMParrot
1. Start free. Sign in for the Free plan with no card, or pick a paid plan on thepricing page. The paid free trial lasts 14 days and needs a card.
2. Connect Instagram. Link your professional account through the Facebook Page.
3. Add the MCP server. In your AI client, add https://dmparrot.com/mcp and sign in with OAuth. See the MCP tools your agent can call.
4. Describe the auto reply. Tell your agent the trigger, the keyword, and the message. For example: when someone comments GUIDE on my latest reel, send them the link. The agent builds the flow with a trigger and actions such as message, tags, delay, or condition.
5. Dry-run it. Ask the agent to run simulate_flow. Then publish the flow.
DMParrot does not use a visual canvas or templates. A deterministic rule engine sends every message. For a longer walkthrough, readthe setup guide. To compare tools first, see the roundup.
Questions
- Can Instagram auto reply to comments?
- Yes, with an automation tool. It watches for a keyword in a comment and sends a private reply DM through Meta’s official messaging API.
- How many auto replies can I send?
- Meta allows one private reply per comment, within 7 days of the comment.
- Can I send a follow-up after the first auto reply?
- Only if the person replies first. The follow-up must also fall inside the 24-hour window. Promotional messages outside that window are not allowed.
- Does an AI write the auto replies?
- Not with DMParrot. Your AI agent builds the flow, and a deterministic rule engine sends the messages. There is no LLM in the send path, so the same trigger always sends the same message.
- What do I need to set up Instagram auto reply?
- An Instagram professional account (Creator or Business) linked to a Facebook Page. With DMParrot you also need an MCP client such as Claude or ChatGPT.
- Is there a free plan?
- Yes. DMParrot has a Free plan with 100 contacts and 1 published flow, and no card is required. Paid plans have a 14-day free trial that needs a card. Paid tiers are $19 for 1,000 contacts, $49 for 10,000, and $149 for 50,000, with no per-message or overage charge in a tier.
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