ReachleeHow to set up Instagram
comment-to-DM automation.
A 3-step guide to automating your Instagram DM replies from comments — using Meta's official API, no third-party scraping, no Facebook Page required. Free to start.
Before you start: what you'll need.
Setting up Instagram comment-to-DM automation in 2026 takes a Business or Creator Instagram account (free to switch from a personal account in your IG settings), an Instagram automation tool that uses Meta's official Graph API (avoid anything that asks for your password — that's a browser bot, not an API integration), and one specific post or Reel you want to automate. That's it. The whole setup takes under a minute.
- Instagram Business or Creator account (free to convert from personal in IG → Settings → Account).
- An automation tool built on Meta's official Instagram Graph API — never one that asks for your IG password.
- A specific post or Reel you want to attach the automation to (or all posts, on Pro).
The 3-step setup.
Connect Instagram
Sign in to Reachlee with Google, then click "Connect Instagram". You'll be redirected to Instagram's official OAuth screen — log in with your Instagram Business or Creator account, grant the permissions Meta asks for, and you're back in the dashboard. No Facebook Page setup, no Business Manager admin role. Takes about 20 seconds.
Pick a post and a keyword
In the builder, choose your trigger: a specific post, a specific Reel, or all posts (Pro feature). Then add the keyword — like "LINK", "GUIDE", or "PLAYBOOK" — that someone has to type in a comment for the DM to fire. Keywords are case-insensitive; you can list multiple comma-separated.
Write the DM and go live
Compose the DM you want Reachlee to send. Add a tracked link (Reachlee wraps it automatically for click attribution), optional buttons, or a lead-capture prompt to collect emails. Hit "Go live". Test it by commenting your keyword on the post — you'll see the DM arrive within 5 seconds.
Everything the setup gives you, out of the box.
No extra configuration needed — these come on by default the moment you flip the automation live.
Click-tracked links automatically
Any link you paste into the DM gets wrapped with Reachlee's click tracker. See CTR, unique clicks, and conversion data per automation in your dashboard.
Meta's 24-hour messaging window enforced
Reachlee follows Instagram's official rules automatically — we won't send a DM outside the 24-hour engagement window, which is the same rule Meta Business Partners follow.
Lifetime analytics on every DM
Pro plan gets lifetime retention on click + lead data. See how a Reel performed 6 months ago, not just last week.
Optional Growth Gate (Pro)
Add a follow-to-unlock step. Reachlee DMs the commenter, asks them to follow first, and unlocks the link the moment they do.
What people typically set up first.
The 3 most common comment-to-DM automations creators and brands build on day one.
"Comment LINK for the free guide"
You shoot a Reel about a lead magnet, then spend 4 hours over the next 2 days typing "DM sent!" replies one by one.
Set up the automation in 90 seconds with the keyword "LINK". Every commenter gets the tracked link in under 5 seconds — and you see in the dashboard exactly how many converted.
"Comment INFO for pricing"
Customer DMs pile up asking "how much?" and "is this still available?". The founder spends 2 hours a day answering them.
Keyword INFO triggers an auto-DM with pricing, photos, and the buy link. Only the genuinely qualified questions reach the founder.
"Comment COURSE to enroll"
Pinned-comment with the course link gets buried after 50 new comments. People DM you asking where the link went.
COURSE triggers the DM with the course link, a personal note, and (on Business) auto-pipes the lead into your CRM Sheet.
Set it up free.
Comment-to-DM is on the free plan — 1 Instagram account, 1,000 DMs/month, full automation. No credit card. Upgrade to Pro ($9/mo) for 3 IG accounts, unlimited DMs, Growth Gate, and scheduled messages. Business ($29/mo) adds Google Sheets piping and team seats.
Start freeSetup, troubleshooting, and policy.
Do I need a Facebook Page to set up Instagram comment-to-DM automation?
No — not with Reachlee. We use Instagram's Business Login directly, so the only thing you connect is your Instagram Business or Creator account. Many older tools (including Manychat) require a Facebook Page and Business Manager admin role, but Reachlee skips that step entirely.
Can I set this up on a personal Instagram account?
No — Instagram's official API only works with Business or Creator accounts. Both are free, and you can switch from personal in IG → Settings → Account → "Switch to Professional Account". The switch is reversible at any time.
How long does the setup take, realistically?
Under a minute for the first automation. The IG connect step is ~20 seconds (one OAuth screen), picking the post and keyword is ~20 seconds, and writing the DM is the only writing you actually do. Most users have their first automation live in under 90 seconds.
What keywords should I use?
Use short, memorable, lowercase words that don't appear in normal conversation on your post. "LINK", "GUIDE", "INFO", "PLAYBOOK", "PRICE", "COURSE" all work well. Avoid generic words like "yes" or "thanks" because they'll match too many irrelevant comments.
Will the DM look like spam to Instagram?
No, because it's not spam — the DM only fires when someone actively comments your keyword on a specific post. It's a direct response to their request. Reachlee respects Instagram's 24-hour messaging window and rate limits automatically.
Can I edit the DM after I go live?
Yes — edit anytime. Changes apply to all future commenters; past DMs are not retroactively changed (which would be impossible anyway since they're already in someone's inbox).
What if I want to test before launching publicly?
Two options: (1) Go live and comment the keyword yourself from a test account to confirm the DM arrives. (2) Use Reachlee's preview pane in the builder to see the exact DM that will be sent, including any merge tags like {first_name}.
Instagram