# How do I auto-reply to Messenger keywords?

Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/messenger-keyword-replies  
Section: Ads and Facebook  
Works on: Web 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:** Open New Automation, choose DM Automation, then Facebook Messenger. Pick Lead Gen, add your keywords and a Text Message step, and publish. Then check that Facebook DM automation shows Active in Account Settings, and click Verify & activate if it doesn't.

Someone messages your Page "price" and gets your price list straight away. This guide sets that up.

## Before you start

- Connect your Facebook Page. See [How do I connect my Facebook Page?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/connect-facebook-page.md)
- Messenger keyword replies are on **Legend Pro and above**. Messenger flows (multi-step chats) are on **Trendsetter and above**.

## Steps

1. On **Home**, click **New Automation**.
2. Choose **DM Automation** ("Someone messages you a keyword, or anything at all.").
3. Under "Which inbox?", click **Facebook Messenger**, then **Next**.
4. Under "What should it send?", click **Lead Gen**. (Pick **Flow Automation** instead if you want buttons that lead to different answers.)
5. In the editor, choose the trigger:
   - **Custom Keywords**: type a word and press Enter. Commas split words.
   - **Any Message**: then pick **First time only** or **Once a day**.
6. Optional: tick **Match exact word only** if the whole message must be just your keyword. Off means any message that contains it.
7. Click **Add Step** and choose **Text Message**. Type your reply. Add more steps if you like, for example **Button Template** or **Capture Email**.
8. Click **Save**, then **Publish & Activate**.
9. Go to **Account Settings** → **Safety & Limits** and find the **Facebook DM automation** card.
   - It should say **Active**.
   - If it says **Not active**, click **Verify & activate**.

## On the phone app

The phone app can't create Messenger keyword replies. Use the web app at app.instantdm.com for this. (The app's **DM** tab is for Instagram DMs only.)

## What your followers see

They send your Page a message with your keyword and get your reply in Messenger within moments. If your steps ask a question, they answer in the same chat.

## Good to know

- If two automations use the same keyword, the one saved most recently wins.
- **Any Message** with **First time only** replies once per person, ever. **Once a day** replies at most once every 24 hours.
- You can have only one **Any Message** automation. If you see "An 'Any Message' trigger flow already exists. Only one can be created per account.", edit the existing one.
- The **Facebook DM automation** card's text says it runs when you open Facebook DM. In the new layout it runs when you finish **New Automation** → **DM Automation** → **Facebook Messenger**. Use **Verify & activate** if replies don't start.

## How to turn it off

Go to **Quick Automation** → **Facebook** tab → **DM Automation**, and switch the automation off, or delete it with the bin icon.

## If it doesn't work

- Page comment automations work but Messenger replies don't → open **Account Settings** → **Safety & Limits** and click **Verify & activate** (or **Re-verify**).
- No reply to a long message → turn off **Match exact word only**.
- Still nothing → [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 Messenger?**

For DM automations the wizard offers only Lead Gen and Flow Automation. To send a simple reply or link, choose Lead Gen and add a Text Message step. You don't have to ask any questions.

**Can I reply to every message, not only keywords?**

Yes. Choose Any Message instead of Custom Keywords, then pick First time only or Once a day so people aren't answered on every message.

**Do Facebook Page comments need Verify & activate too?**

No. Page comment automations work once the Page is connected. Verify & activate is for Messenger messages.

## Related guides

- [How do I connect my Facebook Page?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/connect-facebook-page.md)
- [How do I send a Messenger DM when someone comments on my Facebook post?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/facebook-comments-to-messenger.md)
- [How do I auto-reply when someone DMs me a keyword on Instagram?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/dm-keyword-auto-reply.md)
- [What works differently on Facebook?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/facebook-vs-instagram.md)