# Can InstantDM reply when someone mentions me in their story?

Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/story-mentions  
Section: Story replies and DM keywords  
Works on: Web app  
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:** No. InstantDM has no trigger for story mentions, so it can't send an automatic thank-you when someone tags you in their story. It can auto-reply when people reply to your own stories, with Story to DM. Answer mentions yourself in the Instagram app.

## Before you start

- A **story mention** is when someone tags @you in their own story. Instagram then shows it in your DMs.
- A **story reply** is when someone answers one of your stories with a message. InstantDM can automate story replies, not story mentions.

## Steps

There is no setting for story mentions. If what you want is "send something to people who interact with my stories", use a story reply automation instead:

1. On **Home**, click **New Automation** and choose **Story to DM**.
2. Choose **All stories** so every story you post is covered, then click **Next**.
3. Choose **Send Link & PDF**.
4. Pick **All DM for this story** or add a keyword under **Specific DM Word**.
5. Write your DM under **Send a DM!** and click **Publish**.

Then ask people in your story to reply with a word, for example "Reply YES and I'll send you the guide". Full guide: [auto-reply to story replies](https://instantdm.com/how-to/auto-reply-story-replies.md).

## On the phone app

The phone app can't reply to story mentions either. For story replies, open **Instagram** → **Stories** → **Quick Global Automation** → **+ Add Stories Automation**.

## What your followers see

If someone mentions you in their story, they get no automatic message. You see the mention in your Instagram DMs and can answer it yourself.

## Good to know

- Story reply automation answers text replies only. Stickers, photos and quick reactions are ignored.
- Story automation is on **Legend Pro and above**, and Instagram only.

## What you can't do

- Auto-reply or auto-thank people who mention you in their story.
- Repost or react to mentions automatically.
- Automate Facebook stories.

## If it doesn't work

If your story reply automation doesn't answer, see [why didn't my automation send a DM?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/automation-not-sending.md).

## Questions people also ask

**Some InstantDM screens say story automation answers mentions. Is that true?**

No. Some descriptions in the app mention story mentions, but story automation only answers replies to your own stories. Don't rely on any setting to answer mentions.

**Will a story mention start my Any Message or keyword automation?**

Don't count on it. There is no mention trigger, so you can't choose what a mention gets. Plan to answer mentions by hand.

## Related guides

- [How do I auto-reply when someone replies to my Instagram story?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/auto-reply-story-replies.md)
- [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 when someone DMs me a keyword on Instagram?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/dm-keyword-auto-reply.md)
- [What is InstantDM and what can it do?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/what-is-instantdm.md)