# How to auto-DM people who comment on Instagram

> Use a Business or Creator account and a tool that works through Instagram’s official API. Choose a keyword, write the DM, and the tool sends it to everyone who comments that word.

- Topic: Getting started
- Plans: Free: limited · Pro: included · Scale: included. Free: 2 active automations and 1,500 DMs a month. Pro and Scale: unlimited.
- In the app: Open Automations — https://app.replavia.com/automations
- Last checked: 2026-10-29
- Web page: https://replavia.com/help/how-to-auto-dm-people-who-comment-on-instagram

## What you need

- **An Instagram Business or Creator account.** Instagram allows automated messages only for these. Switching is free in the Instagram app, under Settings, then Account type and tools.
- **A tool that uses Instagram’s official API.** You sign in on Instagram’s own page. You never give the tool your password.
- **A clear keyword.** Pick one word people will type, like GUIDE or PRICE.

## The steps, in any tool

1. Connect your Instagram account to the tool.
2. Choose the posts or reels to watch, or all of them.
3. Set the keyword people must comment.
4. Write the DM, with the link or answer you promised.
5. Optionally, write a short public reply, like “Check your DMs”.
6. Switch it on, and tell people in your caption to comment the word.

## The rules to know

- **One DM per comment.** Instagram allows one automated private message per comment. More can follow only after the person replies or taps a button.
- **24 hours.** Once the person writes back or taps, you can message them for 24 hours. See [What is Instagram’s 24-hour messaging window?](https://replavia.com/help/instagram-24-hour-window)
- **Never require a follow.** Always send what you promised. You may invite people to follow afterwards, but not make it a condition.
- **One tool per account.** Two tools answering the same comment race each other, and some people get nothing.

## How to do it in Replavia

1. Create a free account at [app.replavia.com](https://app.replavia.com/signup) and confirm your email.
2. Go to **Accounts** and click **Connect Instagram**. See [How to connect your Instagram account](https://replavia.com/help/connect-instagram).
3. Go to **Automations** and click **New automation**.
4. Under **Select a trigger**, choose **User comments on your post or reel**. Under **Which posts?**, pick every post and reel, or only some.
5. Under **Set up keywords**, type your word. Choose **Contains keyword** or **Exact match**, or tick **Any keyword** to answer every comment.
6. Under **Public comment replies**, write the reply people see. Add a few versions so they do not all look the same.
7. Under **Response flow (DM)**, write your DM. Add your link with **Send a link button**.
8. Optionally, add **Invite them to follow**. It is sent after the content, never instead of it.
9. Click **Save & activate**.

For full details, see [How to create an automation](https://replavia.com/help/create-an-automation).

## Test it

Comment your keyword from a different Instagram account, not the one you connected. The reply comes a few seconds later, not at once. Replavia waits a short, random time on purpose, so it reads like a person.

## Good to know

- Turn on **Use a tappable button** if you want to send more than one message. The tap opens the 24-hour window.
- Each comment is answered once. Replavia also paces sending per account, so a viral post does not flood Instagram.
- The Free plan includes 1 Instagram account and 2 automations. See [The Free plan](https://replavia.com/help/free-plan).