# What is comment-to-DM automation on Instagram?

> Comment-to-DM automation sends a private Instagram message to someone who comments a chosen word on your post, for example to deliver a link. Instagram allows it through its official API for Business and Creator accounts.

- Topic: Getting started
- In the app: Open Automations — https://app.stage.mydmflow.com/automations
- Last checked: 2026-10-29
- Web page: https://stage.mydmflow.com/help/what-is-comment-to-dm-automation

## How it works

You post a reel and write “Comment GUIDE and I will send it to you”. Someone comments GUIDE. A few seconds later, they get a private message with the link. Often they also get a short public reply under their comment, like “Sent you a DM”.

Nobody has to answer by hand. It keeps working while you sleep, and every person gets the same reliable answer.

People use it to share links, send discount codes, answer price questions and collect email addresses.

## Why Instagram allows it

Instagram has an official way for businesses to send messages, through its API. Part of it lets a business send a private reply to a comment. Tools that use this official route do not need your password.

There are rules, and they shape how every tool works:

- **Business or Creator account.** A personal account cannot use automated messages.
- **One private reply per comment.** A comment allows the business to send one private message. That is all, until the person writes back or taps a button.
- **The 24-hour window.** Once a person messages you, or taps a button in your DM, you may message them for 24 hours. Each new message from them starts the 24 hours again. See [What is Instagram’s 24-hour messaging window?](https://stage.mydmflow.com/help/instagram-24-hour-window)
- **They must act first.** Automation answers people who commented, replied or messaged. It never starts a cold conversation.

## Give first, then invite

Many creators want comment-to-DM to grow followers. Meta’s rules do not allow you to require a follow before you give what you promised. Asking people to follow, like or share as a condition is listed as spam.

The allowed way is simple. Send the link first, every time. Then you may add a friendly invite to follow. See [How the follow invite works](https://stage.mydmflow.com/help/follow-invite).

## What to watch out for

- **Repeating yourself.** Sending the same message to the same person again and again looks like spam to them and to Instagram.
- **Sending too fast.** A viral post can bring thousands of comments. A good tool spreads the messages out and stays under a sensible hourly and daily pace.
- **Two tools on one account.** Only one automated reply per comment is allowed. Two tools race, and some people get nothing.
- **Tools that ask for your password.** An official tool sends you to Instagram’s own sign-in page instead.
- **No promises about enforcement.** No tool can control how Meta applies its rules.

## How Replavia does it

Replavia uses only Instagram’s official API. Its permissions passed Meta App Review, and you sign in on Instagram’s own page. It answers comments on posts, reels and live videos, story replies, story mentions and DMs, on every plan.

It paces messages for you: by default up to 60 DMs an hour and 200 a day per account. New accounts warm up over their first week. The follow invite always comes after the content.

The Free plan includes 1 Instagram account, 2 automations and 1,500 DMs a month. See [How to auto-DM people who comment on Instagram](https://stage.mydmflow.com/help/how-to-auto-dm-people-who-comment-on-instagram).

## Good to know

- A comment without a button gets one DM. With a tappable button, the tap opens the 24-hour window and more messages can follow.
- People can reply STOP to opt out. After that, no automation messages them unless they DM you first. See [STOP and unsubscribe](https://stage.mydmflow.com/help/stop-and-unsubscribe).