How to set up comment to DM on Instagram, step by step

Before you start

You need an Instagram professional account (Business or Creator) and a ChatConvert account. The Free plan includes one comment automation, so you can follow this guide without paying anything.

Have three things ready: the posts you want it on, the word you will ask people to comment, and what they should get back. Usually that is a product, a link or a guide.

1. Connect Instagram

In the dashboard, open Settings, Instagram, and connect with Instagram's own login. You will see exactly what ChatConvert can access, and your password never reaches us.

2. Choose the keywords

Open Automations, New automation, and pick Comments on your post. Add the words that should start it. Ask for one word in your caption, then add the ways people actually type it:

• For prices: price, cost, details, kitna, pp
• For a link: link, send, dm
• For a guide: guide, free, pdf, yes

Leave the list empty to answer every comment, which suits giveaways and launches. Avoid very common words like nice or wow, or you will DM everyone who compliments the post.

Tip: A slipped letter is matched for words of five letters or more, so "prise" still counts as price. You do not need to list every misspelling.

3. Write the first DM

Instagram allows one private reply per comment, so the first message has one job: get a tap. Keep it to a line or two and use their first name.

A first DM that gets the tap

Hi %name|there%! Thanks for the comment. Tap below and I will send you the details here.

If the flow has more after this message, the button that carries the conversation forward is added for you. You can rename it: Show me, Send the link, Get the guide.

4. Decide what comes after the tap

Once they tap, the chat is open and the flow can do more. Drag in the blocks you need:

• A product carousel: the product from that post, or the products you choose.
• A link button to your page, your form or your guide.
• A voice note in your own voice, for a personal touch.
• A question, if you want their phone number for a callback.

On the Free plan the flow is the first message only, so put your link button in that message. Pro adds everything after the tap.

5. Write the public replies

The public reply shows everyone scrolling that you answer. Write two or three, and one is picked for each comment so the thread does not look automated.

Public replies to rotate

Sent you a DM.

Check your DMs. Look in message requests if it is not there.

Just messaged you the details.

6. Pick the posts

Choose every post and reel, or only the ones you pick. For a launch, pick the launch posts so older posts keep their own flows.

7. Test it, then switch it on

Turn on test mode on the Overview page and list a second account of yours. Comment from that account and check the public reply, the DM and what comes after the tap. When it reads right, switch test mode off and the automation is live for everyone.

Common mistakes

• Not telling people what to comment. Say it in the caption and on the reel: comment LINK for the link.
• Sending only a link with no context. Add a line about what they are getting.
• Using one automation for different offers. Make one per offer, each on its own posts.
• Skipping the public reply. Without it, the comment looks ignored to everyone else.