How to Automate Instagram DMs with ManyChat

Instagram has evolved from a photo-sharing app into a powerful sales and customer engagement platform. With rising DM volumes, replying manually can slow down responses, hurt engagement, and cost potential sales. That’s where ManyChat Instagram DM automation comes in.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to automate Instagram DMs with ManyChat, its benefits, real-world use cases, and best practices to maximise results.

What Is Instagram DM Automation?

Instagram DM automation allows businesses to automatically respond to messages, comments, and story replies using predefined workflows. With ManyChat, you can create smart chatbots that handle conversations 24/7, without sounding robotic.

Why Use ManyChat for Instagram DM Automation?

ManyChat is an official Meta-approved partner, making it one of the safest and most powerful tools for Instagram automation.

Key Benefits of Automating Instagram DMs with ManyChat

• Instant replies to DMs and comments

• Higher engagement and response rates

• Lead capture directly inside Instagram

• Reduced manual workload

• Improved customer experience

• Increased conversions and sales

What You Need Before Getting Started

Before setting up Instagram DM automation with ManyChat, ensure you have:

• An Instagram Business or Creator account

• A Facebook Page connected to your Instagram account

• A ManyChat account (Free or Pro)

• Admin access to both Instagram and Facebook Page

Step-by-Step: How to Automate Instagram DMs with ManyChat

Connect Instagram to ManyChat

• Log in to your ManyChat dashboard

• Select Instagram as your channel.

• Connect your Facebook Page.

• Grant permissions for your Instagram account.

Once connected, ManyChat can start managing DMs, comments, and story replies.

Choose Your Automation Trigger

ManyChat allows multiple Instagram triggers:

Trigger Type	Use Case
DM Keyword	Auto-reply when users send specific words
Comment Reply	Respond when users comment on posts
Story Reply	Automate responses to story interactions
Welcome Message	Greet users who DM for the first time

Create an Instagram DM Flow

• Go to Automation-Flows

• Create a new flow

• Add a message block

• Write a friendly, human-like response

• Use buttons or quick replies for interaction

Pro Tip: Keep messages short, conversational, and value-driven.

Set Keyword Automation

Example:

• User sends: “Price”

• Bot replies with product details or a link

This works perfectly for:

• Product inquiries

• Pricing requests

• Discount or offer campaigns

Automate Instagram Comment Replies

• Select a post

• Set a trigger for specific comments (e.g., “info”)

• Automatically send a DM to the commenter

This method significantly increases DM open rates and lead generation.

Capture Leads Inside Instagram

With ManyChat, you can collect:

• Names

• Emails

• Phone numbers

• Preferences

All without redirecting users outside Instagram.

Tap here for the ManyChat plans and features and select the plan that best suits your needs.

Best Use Cases for Instagram DM Automation

Lead Generation

Offer free guides, discount codes, or demo links via automated DMs to instantly capture and qualify leads without manual follow-ups.

Customer Support

Answer common FAQs like delivery timelines, pricing, and product availability instantly, improving response time and customer satisfaction.

E-commerce Sales

Automatically share product links, restock notifications, and abandoned cart reminders to drive conversions directly from Instagram DMs.

Influencer and Campaign Automation

Automate DM replies for giveaways, brand collaborations, and campaign tracking to manage high engagement efficiently and accurately.

Best Practices for Instagram DM Automation

• Avoid spammy messages.

• Use natural language.

• Always include an option to talk to a human.

• Stay compliant with Instagram’s 24-hour messaging rule.

• Regularly test and optimise flows.

Free vs Paid: Do You Need ManyChat Pro?

Feature	Free	Pro
Basic DM automation	Yes	Yes
Keyword triggers	No	Yes
Advanced flows	No	Yes
Lead capture tools	Limited	Full
Analytics and ROI tracking	No	Yes

Pro is recommended for businesses serious about Instagram growth.

Does Instagram DM Automation Increase ROI?

Yes. Brands using ManyChat report:

• Higher DM open rates than email

• Faster response times

• Increased conversion rates

• Lower customer acquisition costs

Automation helps you scale conversations without scaling workload.

FAQs

Is Instagram DM automation allowed?

Yes. ManyChat is an official Meta-approved tool, making it safe and compliant.

Can automation sound human?

Absolutely. With smart flows, personalisation, and quick replies, bots can feel natural.

Is ManyChat suitable for small businesses?

Yes. It’s affordable, scalable, and easy to set up, even for beginners.

Final Thoughts

If you want faster replies, higher engagement, and more conversions, automating Instagram DMs with ManyChat is a game-changer. From lead generation to customer support, automation allows you to grow without burning out.

Start automating your Instagram DMs today with ManyChat and turn conversations into conversions, even while you sleep.