# How do I auto-reply when someone DMs me a keyword on Instagram? Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/dm-keyword-auto-reply Section: Story replies and DM keywords Works on: Web app, iPhone app, Android app Plan: Legend Pro and above 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:** Click New Automation, choose DM Automation, pick Instagram DMs, then choose Lead Gen. Under ENTRY POINT pick Custom Keywords, add your words, add a Text Message step with your reply, and click Save, then Publish & Activate. It works on Legend Pro and above. ## Before you start - Your Instagram account must be connected to InstantDM. - DM keyword automation is on **Legend Pro and above**. - This guide is for Instagram DMs. For your Facebook Page, see [Messenger keyword replies](https://instantdm.com/how-to/messenger-keyword-replies.md). ## Steps 1. On **Home**, click **New Automation** (top right). (The **DM Automation** card on Home opens the same window with step 2 already done.) 2. On "When should it run?", choose **DM Automation** ("Someone messages you a keyword, or anything at all."). 3. On "Which inbox?", click **Instagram DMs**, then click **Next**. 4. On "What should it send?", click **Lead Gen**. The step editor opens. (Pick **Flow Automation** instead if you need branches or reminders. That needs Trendsetter and above.) 5. Type a name for the automation at the top. 6. Under **ENTRY POINT**, choose **Custom Keywords**. 7. Type a keyword in "Add trigger keyword and Press Enter" and press Enter. Add more the same way, or type several separated by commas. 8. Optional: tick **Match exact word only**. - On: only a message that is just the word triggers it. "price" triggers, "what is the price?" does not. - Off: any message that contains the word triggers it. 9. Click **Add Step** and choose **Text Message**. Type your reply, including any link. You can also add **Image**, **PDF** or **Button Template** steps. 10. Click **Save**, then **Publish & Activate**. Click **Save to Draft** instead if you're not ready. ## On the phone app 1. Open **Instagram** and tap the **DM** tab. 2. Tap **Create New**. The editor "Edit Quick DM" opens. 3. Fill in **Automation Name**. 4. Under **Trigger**, add your words under **Keywords**. Optionally turn on **Match exact word only**. 5. Tap **Add Next Step** and add a **Text Message**. 6. Tap **Publish** and confirm. The phone app can't create Facebook Messenger keyword replies. ## What your followers see They send you a DM such as "PRICE". Your reply arrives right away in the same chat. There is no extra button to tap first, unlike comment automations. ## Good to know - Capital letters don't matter. - If a person is in the middle of one of your automations (for example, answering a question), their next message within 1 hour is treated as their answer, not as a new keyword. - If you reply to people yourself, consider turning on [Prevent In-Chat Trigger](https://instantdm.com/how-to/stop-automation-while-chatting.md) so the automation stays quiet during your chats. - To reply to every message, not just keywords, see [auto-reply to everyone who messages me](https://instantdm.com/how-to/auto-reply-every-message.md). ## What you can't do - Use Instagram's Ice Breaker or Get Started buttons as keywords. Taps on those are not triggers. - Send a message to someone who hasn't messaged you first. ## How to turn it off Go to **Quick Automation** → **Instagram** → switch to **DM Automation**. Flip the automation's switch off. You'll see "Automation deactivated (Draft Mode)". To turn it back on, open it and publish again. See [turn off or edit an automation](https://instantdm.com/how-to/turn-off-or-edit-automation.md). ## If it doesn't work - **"Please go inside the configuration to activate it."**: you can't switch a draft on from the list. Open it and click **Save** → **Publish & Activate**. - **No reply with exact match on**: the person typed more than the keyword. Turn **Match exact word only** off. - **No reply while you were chatting**: check **Prevent In-Chat Trigger** in **Account Settings** → **Automation**. - See [why didn't my automation send a DM?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/automation-not-sending.md). ## Questions people also ask **Why is there no Send Link option for DMs?** For DM automations the wizard offers only Lead Gen and Flow Automation. To send a link, pick Lead Gen and add a Text Message or Button Template step with your link. You don't have to ask any questions. **What if two DM automations use the same keyword?** Only one runs: the one you saved most recently. Give each automation its own keywords. **Does the reply go out every time they send the keyword?** Yes. Keyword replies have no once-per-person limit. Only the Any Message trigger has First time only and Once a day. **Can I do this for Facebook Messenger?** Yes, on the web. Pick Facebook Messenger instead of Instagram DMs. See the Messenger keyword guide. ## Related guides - [How do I auto-reply to everyone who messages me on Instagram?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/auto-reply-every-message.md) - [How do I auto-reply to Messenger keywords?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/messenger-keyword-replies.md) - [How do I collect emails and phone numbers in Instagram DMs?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/collect-emails-in-instagram-dms.md) - [How do I stop automations from interrupting when I'm chatting with someone?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/stop-automation-while-chatting.md)