# How do I reply publicly to comments without looking like spam? Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/public-comment-replies Section: Auto-DM people who comment Works on: Web app, iPhone app, Android app Plan: All plans 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 comment automation editor, keep Reply with comment! on and add several lines with Reply Comment. InstantDM picks one line at random for each matching comment. The Free plan allows 3 lines. The Also Include AI Comment Reply box adds a set of ready-made lines; it does not write replies with AI. ## Before you start - You need a comment automation on the post. See [How do I send a DM when someone comments?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/send-dm-when-someone-comments.md) - Free plan: up to 3 reply lines per automation. Legend Pro and above: as many as you like. - Public replies don't use credits. ## Steps 1. Open the post's editor: **Quick Automation** → **Instagram** → **Posts** → click the post → **Send Link or PDF** card. 2. Find **Reply with comment!**. It is on by default. 3. Click **Reply Comment**, type a line and press Enter. Repeat to add more lines. - Write lines that sound different from each other: "Sent, check your inbox", "Just messaged you", "It's in your DMs, enjoy". 4. Optional: tick **Also Include AI Comment Reply (to prevent comment spam)**. Read what it does below before you tick it. 5. Optional: open **Comment Reply for Non-Followers** and click **Add Fallback Comment** to write the public comment used when Instagram won't let you DM someone. 6. Click **Publish**. ## On the phone app In the post editor (**Send Link or Images** → **Edit Automation**), use the **Reply to Comments** switch and type each line, then press enter. **Include AI-generated replies** is the same ready-made-lines option (the app marks it as a paid option). **💬 Comment Reply for Non-Followers** holds your fallback comments. Tap **Publish**. ## What your followers see - Under their comment, one of your lines appears as a reply from your account. Each comment gets one line, chosen at random. - Everyone who opens the comments can see these replies. - If they don't follow you and Instagram refuses the DM, they get a public reply from your **Comment Reply for Non-Followers** list instead of a DM. If that list is empty, InstantDM uses a built-in line such as "Hey! I tried to send you a DM but it looks like you're not following me yet. Please follow me first so I can send you the content! 🙏". The help text in the editor says: "Sometimes Instagram restricts sending DMs to users who don't follow you. In those cases, we'll reply with these comments instead of sending a DM." ## What the "AI Comment Reply" box really does - It adds a fixed set of ready-made lines to your own lines. All of them are in English, use emoji, and many ask the person to follow you. - It does not read the comment, does not use AI and does not reply in the commenter's language. - Your own lines are mixed into a much bigger set, so most public replies will be the ready-made ones. - It is available on all plans on the web. If your brand has a careful tone, or your audience doesn't speak English, leave it unticked and write 5 to 10 lines of your own. ## Good to know - Only top-level comments get a reply. Replies inside a thread are ignored, so InstantDM's own replies never trigger more replies. - Someone who comments twice gets two public replies. - Story automations have no public reply, because story replies arrive as DMs. - On a very busy post, see [What should I do when a post goes viral?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/post-going-viral.md) ## What you can't do - Like comments automatically. - Reply to replies inside a thread. - Get replies written by AI from this box. - Choose a different public reply for each trigger word. ## How to turn it off Switch **Reply with comment!** off and click **Publish**. Your DMs keep going. ## If it doesn't work - "Missing Reply comments words" when you publish: **Reply with comment!** is on but empty. Add a line or switch it off. - "Reply Limit reached." instead of the add button: you have 3 lines on the Free plan. - Replies stopped but DMs continue: check **Account Settings** → **Automation** → **Automation Controls**, where **Comments** may be off. See [What do the switches in Account Settings > Automation do?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/automation-settings.md) ## Questions people also ask **Does the AI comment reply box use AI?** No. Despite its name, it adds a built-in list of ready-made English lines with emoji, such as 'Sent you a DM! 📩 Don’t forget to follow for more 🔥'. It does not read the comment or write a new reply. **Is the public reply posted if the DM fails?** No. The public reply is posted only when the DM went out, or when you have switched DMs off for that automation. **Can I reply publicly without sending a DM?** Yes. Switch Send a DM! off and keep Reply with comment! on. Each matching comment then gets only a public reply. ## 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) - [Do DMs reach people who don't follow me or have private accounts?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/dms-to-non-followers.md) - [What are Instagram's rules for automatic DMs?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/instagram-dm-rules.md) - [What should I do when a post goes viral?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/post-going-viral.md)