# How do I make people follow me before they get the link?

Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/make-people-follow-before-link  
Section: Collect leads and grow followers  
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:** In the post's Send Link or PDF automation, turn on Ask audience to follow you before sending link! and click Publish. People who already follow you get the link. Others get a Follow to Unlock card with Open Profile and Started following you! 👍 buttons, and get the link after they follow and tap. Legend Pro and above, Instagram only.

## Before you start

- The follow gate is on **Legend Pro and above**.
- Set up a comment or story automation with **Send Link or PDF** first: [send a DM when someone comments](https://instantdm.com/how-to/send-dm-when-someone-comments.md).
- It works on Instagram posts, Reels and stories. It is not available on Facebook.

## Steps

1. Go to **Quick Automation** → **Instagram** → **Posts** (or **Stories**) and click the post. Click the **Send Link or PDF** card.
   - For a new automation: **New Automation** → **Comment to DM** → **Existing posts** → pick the post → **Next** → **Send Link & PDF**.
2. Turn on **Ask audience to follow you before sending link!**.
   - You'll see the tag "Will send this only to non-followers." on the follow card, and "Will send this only to followers." on your DM.
3. Edit the follow card if you like. Click its text to change it. The default is:
   - Title: "🔓 Follow to Unlock Exclusive Content"
   - Description: "👋 Looks like you haven't followed me yet! 🤔 Follow to unlock exclusive content! 🔓"
   - Buttons: **Open Profile** and **Started following you! 👍**
4. Check your link under **Send a DM!**.
5. Click **Publish**.

## On the phone app

1. Open **Instagram** → **Posts** (or **Stories**) and tap the post.
2. Tap the **Send Link or Images** card.
3. Turn on **Follow For Link** ("Ask audience to follow you before sending links.").
4. Edit **Title**, **Description** and the two button texts, then tap **Publish**.

## What your followers see

1. They comment your keyword.
2. If they already follow you, they get your link.
3. If not, they get the follow card. **Open Profile** opens your Instagram profile.
4. After following, they tap **Started following you! 👍**. InstantDM checks again and sends the link.
5. If they still don't follow, the same card comes back.

## Good to know

- The follow gate can also be a step in other editors:
  - In a **Lead Gen** or DM automation, add a **Followers Only** step. It has an option **Move to next step if not followed**.
  - In **Flow Automation** (Trendsetter and above), add a **Followers only** step and connect **Follows you** and **Doesn't follow you** to different messages.
- If Instagram refuses a DM because the person doesn't follow you, InstantDM posts a public reply under their comment instead, using your **Comment Reply for Non-Followers** text. See [DMs to non-followers](https://instantdm.com/how-to/dms-to-non-followers.md).

## What you can't do

- Limit how many times someone can tap **Started following you! 👍**.
- Send a different message on the second try.
- Use the follow gate on Facebook posts.
- Guarantee that only followers get the link.

## How to turn it off

Open the post's **Send Link or PDF** card, turn off **Ask audience to follow you before sending link!** and click **Publish**.

## If it doesn't work

- **The switch has a crown**: your plan doesn't include it.
- **The follow card keeps coming**: see [why does the follow message keep coming?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/follow-message-keeps-coming.md).
- **Nobody gets anything**: see [why didn't my automation send a DM?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/automation-not-sending.md).

## Questions people also ask

**Someone followed but still got the follow message. Why?**

Instagram can take a moment to report a new follow. Ask them to tap Started following you! 👍 again. They can tap it as many times as needed.

**Can someone get the link without following?**

Sometimes. If Instagram can't answer the follow check (for example when it is busy), InstantDM treats the person as a follower and sends the link. Don't use it as a hard lock.

**Does it work on Facebook posts?**

No. The follow gate is for Instagram only.

**Can I change the text on the follow card?**

Yes. Click the card's title, description or button text in the editor and type your own.

## 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)
- [What is the Welcome Message and should I turn it on?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/welcome-message.md)
- [Why does the follow message keep coming after someone followed?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/follow-message-keeps-coming.md)
- [Do DMs reach people who don't follow me or have private accounts?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/dms-to-non-followers.md)