How to Easily Set an Auto reply on Instagram DMs

Discover how to streamline your communication and stay responsive by setting up auto-replies on Instagram—saving time and ensuring no message goes unnoticed!

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How to Easily Set an Auto reply on Instagram DMs
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As Instagram grows in popularity for businesses and influencers, managing DMs efficiently has become essential. Quick responses are vital for maintaining customer satisfaction and engagement. With 80% of customers expecting a response to their DMs within 24 hours, the pressure to provide timely and effective replies is undeniable. In fact, a survey highlights that lead conversions increase by 391% when businesses respond within just one minute of an inquiry.

This is where auto replies on Instagram come into play.

In this article, we’ll guide you through setting up auto replies, editing them, and using additional tools to further optimize your Instagram messaging strategy.

What are auto replies?

Auto replies are pre-set, automated responses sent to users who send direct messages to your Instagram account. When someone sends you a message, an autoreply is triggered, delivering a predefined response that can acknowledge their message, provide helpful information, or invite them to take further action.

These automated responses work by sending predefined text in response to a direct message, much like an out-of-office email. Auto replies are particularly useful for businesses or influencers who receive a high volume of DMs and need to ensure quick, real-time communication with their audience.

One of the most common examples of automated replies in Instagram Business accounts might be “Thank you for reaching out! We’ll be back to you within 24 hours”. However, there are many other use cases.

Common scenarios where auto replies are used include:

  • Acknowledging receipt of a message when you can’t respond immediately.
  • Providing basic information, such as business hours or product availability.
  • Managing inquiries during off-hours or vacations.
  • Responding to frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Why are auto replies useful?

Auto replies are more than just a time-saver. They enhance communication and customer experience in several key ways:

Improved response times

One of the biggest advantages of auto replies is that they allow you to respond to messages instantly, even if you're busy or offline. This quick response time can significantly improve customer satisfaction, as users won’t feel like they are being ignored.

Enhanced customer experience

Immediate responses give customers reassurance that their inquiry has been received. Even if the auto reply doesn't solve their problem immediately, knowing that someone will follow up can build trust and enhance the customer experience.

Consistency

With auto replies, you can maintain a consistent communication style across all interactions. Whether a customer reaches out at 3 p.m. or 3 a.m., they will receive a message that aligns with your brand’s tone and professionalism.

Time-saving

Auto replies help you manage high volumes of messages without having to manually respond to every inquiry. This saves time, allowing you and your team to focus on more complex tasks that require personalized responses.

Instagram auto replies:

Setting up Instagram auto replies is a simple yet highly effective process for businesses looking to streamline their communication. The setup is done through the Meta Business Suite, where you can create automatic responses for Instagram DMs.

Below are the detailed steps to set up both "Instant Replies" and "Away Messages”.

Step 1: Ensure you meet the prerequisites

Before setting up auto replies, make sure of the following:

  • You have an Instagram Business or Creator Account.
  • You have a Facebook Business Page linked to your Instagram account.
  • You have granted permission to manage Instagram messages via Meta Business Suite.

To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to your profile and tap the menu icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Select "Messages and Story Replies" from the options.
  3. Tap "Message Controls" to access your messaging settings.
  4. Under the "Connected Tools" section, toggle "Allow Access to Messages" on or off.
    • If toggled on, those with approved access via Facebook Pages, Meta Business Suite, or other connected third-party tools will be able to manage messages from your Instagram account.
    • If toggled off, you'll only manage messages directly from Instagram.

Step 2: Access Meta Business Suite

  • Open your browser and go to the Meta Business Suite website.
  • Log in using your Facebook credentials linked to your business account.

Step 3: Navigate to Inbox

  • Once logged in, navigate to the Mail.
  • This is where you can manage messages from both Facebook Messenger and Instagram DMs.

Step 4: Open Automations

  • In the Mail section, click on Automations located in the top of your Inbo.x.

Step 5: Set up Instant Replies

Select Instant Reply:

  1. Find Instant Reply in the Automated Responses options and click on it.
  2. Click the Edit Message button to customize your message.

Choose Instagram:

1. In the "Platform" section, choose Instagram to ensure this auto-reply is sent to your Instagram DMs.

2. Write the Reply: write the message you want to send automatically to users when they first message you. For instance:

"Hi! Thank you for reaching out. We’ve received your message and will respond shortly. Our business hours are 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Friday."

3. You can use variables like the customer’s name or include emojis for a personalized touch. The message is limited to 500 characters.

4. Save: Once you’re satisfied with the message, click Save.

5. Activate Instant Reply: Make sure the toggle switch for Instant Replies is turned on so it will be active.

Meta business suite view of instant responses

Step 6: Set up Away Messages

Away Messages allow you to notify users when you're not available to respond. You can also set up a schedule for this message.

Select Away Message: From the Automated Responses section, click on Away Message.

Choose Instagram: Under platforms, select Instagram to ensure this auto reply applies to Instagram DMs.

Write the Away Message: Draft a message that informs customers of your offline status. For example:

"Thanks for your message! We're currently offline but will get back to you as soon as possible. Our business hours are 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Friday."

Set a Schedule: If you want to automatically send away messages during specific times, click Add Time and specify your business’s offline hours (e.g., after 5 PM or on weekends).

Save: Once you've composed the message and set the schedule, click Save.

Activate Away Message: Ensure that the toggle switch for Away Messages is turned on so that they’re sent automatically during your set offline hours.

meta business suite message for away set up
message for away example

Using third-party tools to set up more advanced automated responses

Some third-party tools offer more advanced auto-reply features for Instagram. When choosing the best tool to use, be sure to select a reputable third-party tools that comply with Instagram's policies and that it is Meta-approved, like the Instagram Automation platform Inrō.

While Instagram’s basic messaging features are helpful, Inrō is a powerful tool that takes your DM management to the next level. Inrō offers more advanced features, including multi-level automation and tracking to help businesses streamline their communication.

Automated responses

With Inrō, you can set up multiple auto replies for different scenarios. For example, you can configure different responses for product inquiries, customer service questions, and frequently asked questions, all triggered by specific keywords in the user’s message which is aided by a special AI Agent.

instagram automated responses from dm interaction
instagram multimedia campaigns

Analytics

Inrō provides analytics on your DM interactions. You can track how often certain auto replies are used, the engagement they generate, and adjust your messaging strategy accordingly.

instagram campaign tracking

Personalization

Inrō enables more personalized messaging by categorizing and segmenting contacts within its CRM. You can assign contacts to specific groups based on their behavior or interests. Then, through scenarios you set up, certain actions—like mentioning a product—trigger tailored responses. This ensures each contact receives relevant, customized information, enhancing the overall user experience.

instagram audience segmentation for personalized campaigns

Expand customer interactions

Inrō allows you to trigger auto replies from a user’s comment on your Instagram post. This is particularly useful to strengthen the relationship with your customer and anticipate their potential needs or request of information.

instagram giveaway campaign automation

By using Inrō, you can streamline your communication even further, ensuring fast and personalized responses, while also tracking and analyzing your engagement for future improvements.

Examples of auto reply messages on Instagram

Here are 10 examples of effective Instagram auto reply messages you can use to enhance customer engagement:

Greeting Message: Welcome new followers or potential customers with a friendly greeting, encouraging them to engage.

Example: Hi there! Thanks for reaching out. How can we assist you today?

Business Hours: Inform customers of your operating hours to manage response expectations.

Example: Thank you for your message! Our business hours are Monday to Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM.

Away Message: Automatically notify customers when you're offline or on holiday, reassuring them you'll respond later.

Example: We’re currently offline but will respond during business hours. Thank you for your patience!

Order Confirmation: Instantly confirm a customer's order and provide relevant details.

Example: Thank you for your order! Your order number is #12345. We’ll notify you once it’s shipped.

Shipping Information: Keep customers informed by sending automated shipping updates, including tracking links.

Example: Your order has been shipped! Track your package here: [link].

FAQs: Automatically answer common questions by directing customers to your FAQ page.

Example: Here are answers to common questions: [FAQ link]. Let us know if you need more help!

Product Information: Share product details to help customers make informed purchasing decisions.

Example: Interested in our products? Find more details here: [product link].

Feedback Request: Encourage customers to share their opinions after a purchase to gather useful feedback.

Example: We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us a review here: [link].

Event Reminder: Send reminders for upcoming events to increase participation.

Example: Don’t forget! Our event is this Saturday at 5 PM. Join us here: [link].

Follow-Up Message: Re-engage with customers who haven't responded, showing your commitment to their satisfaction.

Example: Hi! Just checking in—did you receive our previous message? Let us know if we can assist further.

These templates can be tailored to suit your business needs, making communication faster and more personalized.

When to use auto replies

Auto replies can be highly effective in certain situations. Here are some examples of when they’re particularly useful:

  • During High-Traffic Events: Auto replies are essential during product launches, promotions, or sales events when DM volume tends to spike.
  • Off-Hours or Vacations: Auto replies can manage customer expectations by letting them know when they can expect a response during times you're away from your account.
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): For businesses receiving common inquiries (like shipping times, store hours, or product details), auto replies save time and provide immediate answers.

When not to use auto replies

There are certain cases where auto replies might not be appropriate:

  • Personal Interactions: For messages that require a personalized touch or deeper engagement, manual replies are better.
  • Sensitive Issues: For complaints or sensitive customer issues, it’s essential to respond personally and thoughtfully to avoid sounding dismissive.

Conclusion

Setting up auto replies on Instagram is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your communication strategy. Not only do they ensure that your customers receive timely and consistent responses, but they also save you valuable time and energy. By leveraging advanced tools like Inrō, you can further personalize and automate your messaging, providing a seamless experience for your followers and customers.

With this guide, you’re now equipped to implement auto replies that will streamline your DM management, boost customer satisfaction, and help you maintain a strong and responsive presence on Instagram.

FAQs

What are Instagram automated messages?

They are predefined responses that automatically reply to DMs, improving response times, saving time, and ensuring consistent communication.

How can I use auto replies during off-hours?

Use Meta Business Suite to set up Away Messages during off-hours, informing customers you’ll respond later.

Can I use auto replies for Instagram Story replies?

Yes, set up Saved Replies under Creator Settings to easily respond to Story interactions.

Can I personalize my Instagram auto reply messages?

Yes, use tools like Inro to personalize auto replies based on keywords or specific user interactions.

What should I do if I can't access my Instagram inbox?

Try logging out and back in, clearing cache, or updating the app. If problems persist, visit Instagram’s help center.

How can I manage spam or unwanted messages on Instagram?

Use Instagram's Message Requests feature, block or report spammers, or manage messages with tools like Inro to filter spam.

Try Inro Today & Level Up your Communication Strategy!

If you're ready to take your Instagram messaging to the next level, try Inrō. With its advanced automation and analytics features, Inro can help you manage your Instagram DMs more efficiently, saving you time while improving customer engagement.

Get started today and streamline your communication like never before.

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