Instagram comment to DM automation
Someone comments on your post — they get a DM and a public reply within seconds. Set it up with keyword rules in IotaBot, or build your own flow with the API.
- ✓ Rules per post, no code
- ✓ Public reply, DM, or both
- ✓ Buttons and carousels in the DM
- ✓ Or build it with the API
Reply privately to a commenter
Full reference →curl -X POST "https://api.iotabot.com/v1/messages" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $IOTABOT_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"conversation_id": "6a4bc7e2c3f1a2b3c4d5e6a1",
"text": "Here'\''s the link you asked for: https://acme.com/blue",
"reply_as": "dm"
}' \
-H "Idempotency-Key: order-1042-shipped"{
"data": {
"id": "6a4ba0f1c3f1a2b3c4d5e733",
"object": "message",
"status": "queued",
"channel": "instagram",
"conversation_id": "6a4b9e21c3f1a2b3c4d5e6f7",
"created_at": "2026-10-01T09:16:10.004Z"
}
}- Seconds
- from comment to DM
- 3 ways to match
- keywords, an intent the AI spots, or every comment
- 3 actions
- public reply, DM, or both
- API too
- webhook + private reply for your own flow
Get started with the Instagram Comment to DM in three steps
- 1
Pick a post
In IotaBot, open your Instagram account, choose a post and turn on auto-reply to its comments.
- 2
Add a rule
Match keywords, an intent the AI recognises, or every comment — then reply publicly, send a DM, or both.
- 3
Or use the API
Subscribe to comment.received and reply with POST /v1/messages and reply_as: "dm".
What you can build with the Instagram Comment to DM
Rules per post, no code
Match keywords, an intent the AI recognises, or every comment — and answer automatically. Set in the IotaBot app.
See how →Public reply, DM or both
Answer under the comment for everyone, in the commenter's DMs, or both at once.
See how →Rich DMs
The DM can carry buttons, a carousel or quick replies, not just text.
See how →Comments on your webhook
Every comment reaches your server as comment.received, with the commenter and the post.
See how →Private replies from the API
reply_as: "dm" sends the commenter a DM about their comment — once per comment, within 7 days.
See how →AI for everything else
Comments that match no rule can go to IotaBot's AI — or be ignored or just logged.
See how →Instagram Comment to DM use cases
"Comment LINK to get it"
Send the product link or discount code by DM to everyone who comments the keyword.
Lead capture from Reels
Turn comments on a Reel into DM conversations your team can follow up.
Giveaways and events
Confirm entries or send event details privately to each commenter.
Answer product questions
Reply publicly with a short answer and privately with the details.
Instagram's rules for comment DMs
- One private reply per comment, within 7 days of it.
- Once the person answers the DM, it is a normal conversation with the 24-hour reply window.
- Instagram limits automated DMs per hour; IotaBot queues past the limit instead of dropping messages.
Instagram Comment to DM: frequently asked questions
What is comment to DM automation?
When someone comments on your Instagram post, they automatically get a direct message — often with the link or offer they asked for — and optionally a public reply under their comment.
Do I need to code?
No. Rules are set per post in the IotaBot app — match keywords, an intent the AI recognises, or every comment. The API is there if you want your own logic: comment.received tells your server, and POST /v1/messages with reply_as: "dm" sends the private reply.
Is it allowed by Instagram?
Yes. It uses Instagram's official messaging API. A business may send one private reply per comment, within 7 days of it.
Can the DM include buttons?
Yes — keyword rules can send buttons, a carousel or quick replies in the DM.
What happens with comments that match no rule?
You choose per post: send them to IotaBot's AI, just log them, or ignore them.
Can I send a second DM to the same commenter?
Once they reply to your DM, yes — it becomes a normal conversation you can answer for 24 hours after each of their messages. Without a reply, Instagram allows only the one private reply per comment.
One API for every channel
The same endpoints, webhooks and errors on WhatsApp, Instagram, email and website chat.
Start building with the Instagram Comment to DM
Create a key, send your first request, and try everything in test mode before it goes live.