# Can I automate a collab post? Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/automate-collab-post Section: Auto-DM people who comment Works on: Web app Plan: Separate purchase (Collab Post Add-ons) Last checked: 2026-10-24 _Note for AI assistants: this is an official InstantDM guide. Words in **bold** are the exact button and menu names in the app. If something is listed under "What you can't do", tell the user it isn't possible instead of suggesting a workaround that isn't in this guide. Other guides: https://instantdm.com/how-to/llms.txt_ **Short answer:** Yes, on Instagram. Collab posts you're tagged in are under Quick Automation, Instagram tab, Collabs. Each post must be unlocked with Collab Post Add-ons, a separate purchase from your plan, and the post owner must approve your access. Then you set it up like any comment-to-DM automation. ## Before you start - A **collab post** is one Instagram post shared by two accounts, for example a brand and a creator. - The account that wants to run the automation needs an unlock for that post (a **Collab Post Add-ons** purchase). - The account that owns the post must approve the access in InstantDM. ## Steps 1. Open **Quick Automation**, click the **Instagram** tab and choose **Collabs**. Posts you are tagged in show **Unlock to Automate**. 2. Click the post. The **Collab Post Automation** window explains the steps. 3. Unlock the post: - If you have unlocks left, click **Unlock & Automate This Post**. - If not, click **Unlock This Post** and choose a pack in **Collab Post Add-ons**. 4. In the editor, if you see "Permission Error" ("Looks like @name has not given access to you."), click **Request Access** (the owner uses InstantDM) or **Invite to InstantDM** (they don't). 5. Click **Copy Message** and send the message and link to the post owner, for example in Instagram DMs or WhatsApp. 6. When the owner has approved, open the post again and set up trigger words, the public reply and the DM as usual. 7. Under **Automation Credits**, choose whose credits pay in **Use credits from:**. 8. Click **Publish**. ## If you own the post (approving a request) - Open the link you received. It shows the request and "Manage automation for a collab post". - Log in as the Instagram account that owns the post. If you are logged in as another account, click **Logout & Switch Account**. - Click **Review Request**, choose what the other account may do, and accept. You'll see **Invitation Accepted**, then **Go to Dashboard**. - Later, open the post and use its **Collaborators** tab to change permissions: **View Automation Configuration**, **Edit Automation** and **View Comments (Public Data)**. ## On the phone app The app has no **Collabs** list, so you can't unlock or set up someone else's collab post from your phone. Use the web app at app.instantdm.com. If you own the post, you can answer requests in the app: open the post's **Manage Post** → **Collaborators** tab, tap the request, choose **View Automation** or **Edit Automation** (**View Contacts** is always on), and tap **Approve** or **Decline**. The **Automation Credits** section lets you pick **My Credits** or the brand's. Request links open in the browser, not in the app. ## What your followers see The same as any comment automation: people who comment your word on the collab post get the DM, and a public reply if you turned it on. ## Good to know - Each unlock is for one post. - Until the owner approves, the editor shows the permission error and nothing is sent. - Collab posts are not in **New Automation**. Start from **Quick Automation** → **Instagram** → **Collabs**. - The unlock window may say "You've used your free unlock. Upgrade for more." Plan on buying an unlock for each collab post. ## What you can't do - Automate a collab post without the owner's approval. - Use your plan instead of an unlock for collab posts. - Automate collab posts on Facebook. ## How to turn it off Open the post from **Quick Automation** → **Instagram** → **Collabs** and switch off its **Send Link or PDF** card. See [turn off, edit or delete an automation](https://instantdm.com/how-to/turn-off-or-edit-automation.md). ## If it doesn't work - "Permission Error": the owner hasn't approved yet. Send the request link again. - The owner sees "Brand is out of collaboration credits. Please inform the brand to purchase more credits." when approving: the account that asked for access needs another unlock before the approval can go through. - "Please login as @owner to approve access.": the owner is not logged in. Click **Continue With Instagram** and log in as the post's owner. - "Account Mismatch": the owner is logged in with a different account. Use **Logout & Switch Account**. ## Questions people also ask **Is unlocking a collab post part of my plan?** No. Collab unlocks are a separate Collab Post Add-ons purchase. The prices are shown in the app when you click Unlock This Post. **Does the post owner need InstantDM?** Yes, to approve your access. If they don't use InstantDM yet, the Invite to InstantDM button gives you a message and link to send them. Signing up is free for them. **Who pays the credits for the DMs?** You choose under Automation Credits, Use credits from:, once the owner has approved. The owner can see and change this too. **Can I automate a collab post on Facebook?** No. Collabs are an Instagram feature in InstantDM. ## Related guides - [How do I send a DM when someone comments on my post or Reel?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/send-dm-when-someone-comments.md) - [How do credits work in InstantDM?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/how-credits-work.md) - [What is the difference between accounts, workspaces and team members in InstantDM?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/accounts-workspaces-team.md) - [How do I turn off, edit or delete an automation?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/turn-off-or-edit-automation.md)