# Send Link, Lead Gen or Flow: which one should I pick? Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/send-link-lead-gen-or-flow Section: Start here Works on: Web 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:** Pick Send Link & PDF when everyone should get the same link or file. Pick Lead Gen when you want to ask for a name, email or phone number in the DM. Pick Flow Automation when you need different paths per answer, reminders, AI replies, or syncing to Mailchimp, Kit or Klaviyo. Send Link works on all plans, Lead Gen needs Legend Pro or above, Flow needs Trendsetter or above. When you click **New Automation**, step 3 asks "What should it send?" and offers up to three cards. Here is how to choose. ## Compare the three | | **Send Link & PDF** | **Lead Gen** | **Flow Automation** | |---|---|---|---| | Wizard card text | "One reply for everyone. Address, prices, links or a PDF." | "Collect name, email or phone in the DM. Quick to set up and change." | "Build a funnel. Each button sends its own message." | | Badge | "Ready in a minute" | "No integrations" | "Syncs to your apps" | | Best for | Same link, price list, address or PDF for everyone | A few contact details, asked one after another | Different messages per answer, reminders, AI | | Asks questions | No | Yes, in a straight line | Yes, with branches | | Different paths per answer | No | No | Yes | | AI replies | No | No | Yes, with your own AI key | | Sends to Mailchimp, Kit or Klaviyo | No | No | Yes | | Where answers show | No answers to collect | The post's **Lead Gen Contacts** tab (with **Download CSV**) and **Contacts** | **Contacts** and the flow's contact list | | Plan | All plans (buttons, PDF and product cards: Legend Pro and above) | Legend Pro and above | Trendsetter and above | | Phone app | Yes (**Send Link or Images**) | Only for DM keywords (**DM** tab) | View only, can't build | | How you make it live | **Publish** | **Save** → **Publish & Activate** | **Set Live** | ## Which cards you'll see - **Next post** (a post you haven't uploaded yet): only **Send Link & PDF**. - **DM Automation** (someone messages you): only **Lead Gen** and **Flow Automation**. To reply with a link, choose **Lead Gen** and add a **Text Message** step. - **Instagram and Facebook together**: **Flow Automation** is hidden. The wizard says "Flow Automation runs on one platform. Pick only Instagram or only Facebook to use it." - Cards your plan doesn't include show **Upgrade**. ## Pick Send Link & PDF if - Everyone who comments should get the same thing: a link, a price list, your address or a PDF. - You want something live in a minute, on any plan. - You want to set it up from your phone. ## Pick Lead Gen if - You want to ask for a **name**, **email** or **phone number** before sending the link. - You're happy to download the answers as a CSV file, with no email-tool sync. ## Pick Flow Automation if - People should get different messages depending on what they tap or answer. - You want a reminder when someone doesn't reply. - You want AI to answer, or emails to go straight into Mailchimp, Kit or Klaviyo. - You're on a computer. Flows can't be built on a phone. ## On the phone app The app has **Send Link or Images** on each post, story and all-posts automation, plus Instagram **DM** keyword automations with questions. It can't create Lead Gen per post or build flows. Use the web app at app.instantdm.com for those. ## Good to know - Send Link and Lead Gen on the same post show two switches, but only the one saved last runs. Use one per post. - Editing a post's automation in the phone app removes a Lead Gen set up on that post from the web. Edit Lead Gen posts on the web only. - Phone numbers in Lead Gen and flows must be digits only, with an optional + (for example +919876543210). Numbers with spaces or dashes are rejected, so say so in your question. - With 2 or more posts selected, the wizard asks for a **Group name** and shows **Publish Setup**. That button opens the editor. Nothing is live until you publish in the editor. ## What you can't do - Send Lead Gen answers to Mailchimp, Kit, Klaviyo or a webhook. Only Flow Automation syncs. - Use Flow Automation on Instagram and Facebook in one automation. - Use Lead Gen or Flow on a Next post automation. ## If it doesn't work - **The Flow card is missing**: you picked both platforms, or Next post. Go **Back** and change the selection. - **Lead Gen and Flow show Upgrade**: your plan doesn't include them. See [Which InstantDM plan do I need?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/which-plan-do-i-need.md) - **Answers rejected**: see [Which answers will the email, phone and name questions accept?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/answer-rules-email-phone-name.md) ## Questions people also ask **Can Lead Gen send emails to Mailchimp or Kit?** No. The Lead Gen card says "No integrations". You see the answers in the post's Lead Gen Contacts tab (with Download CSV) and in Contacts. To sync to an email tool, use Flow Automation. **Can I use Send Link and Lead Gen on the same post?** Use one or the other. Both switches can look on, but only the one you saved last actually runs. **Why is Flow Automation missing in the wizard?** You picked both Instagram and Facebook. Flow Automation runs on one platform, so pick only Instagram or only Facebook. It is also not offered for Next post. **Can I change my mind later?** Yes. You can switch off one automation and set up another type on the same post. Remember that only one of Send Link or Lead Gen runs on a post. ## 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 I collect emails and phone numbers in Instagram DMs?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/collect-emails-in-instagram-dms.md) - [What is Flow Automation and when do I need it?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/what-is-flow-automation.md) - [How do I set up my first automation? (Start here)](https://instantdm.com/how-to/first-automation.md)