How do I send InstantDM data to Make, Zapier or my own app?

A webhook is a web address that waits for data. InstantDM sends a message to it every time something happens, for example a new comment. Make, Zapier and n8n can give you such an address and then do anything with the data: add a row to a sheet, send a Slack message, update your CRM.

Before you start

• Trendsetter and above (Trendsetter, Trendsetter Pro, Multi Starter, Multi Pro). New accounts can use it during their first week.
• A webhook URL. In Make, add a Webhooks → Custom webhook module and copy its address. In Zapier, use the Webhooks by Zapier trigger with Catch Hook (check that your Zapier plan includes it).
• Facebook events need your Facebook Page connected.

Steps

1. On Home, click API & MCP at the top right.
2. Click the Webhooks section (“Push events to your URL as they happen”).
3. Switch on Enable Webhook.
4. Paste your address into Webhook URL.
5. Optional: click Generate next to Webhook Secret if your developer wants to check that messages really come from InstantDM. Leave Custom Headers empty unless your app asks for one.
6. Under Subscribe to Events, tick what you want to receive:
   • Instagram: New Comment, Comment Reply, Live Comment, New DM, Story Reply, Postback (someone tapped a button), Question Answered, Flow Completed, Message Sent (Echo).
   • Facebook Page: New Page Comment, Page Comment Reply, New Messenger Message, Messenger Postback, Messenger Message Sent (Echo).
7. Click Save Configuration.
8. Test it: comment on your own post from another account. In Make or Zapier you should see the data arrive.
9. Open Delivery Logs to see every delivery, with Success or Failed. Click a row for details.

Use the API (for developers)

1. In API & MCP, open the API section and click Generate New Key.
2. Copy the key right away: “Copy this key now. You won’t see it again.”
3. Share the key and the API Docs link with your developer. The Try It area sends real messages, so test carefully.

Reading data is free. Each reply, DM or post sent through the API uses 1 credit.

On the phone app

The phone app has no API or webhook settings. Use the web app at app.instantdm.com for this.

Good to know

• One URL for all events.
• Sent once, no retry. If your URL is down or takes longer than 10 seconds, that event is lost.
• Delivery Logs keep 7 days of history.
• Question Answered and Flow Completed only send for flows where the Webhook switch is on. See How do I send answers from a flow to another app?
• Message Sent (Echo) on Instagram carries only a message ID, not the text. Facebook echoes include the text.
• Deliveries are skipped when you’re out of credits or over your plan’s hourly limit.
• Webhooks and API keys are set per InstantDM account. For several accounts, switch to each one and set it up there.

What you can’t do

• Use a different URL per event.
• Retry or replay a failed delivery.
• Receive @mentions or message reactions. The list also shows Messenger Reaction, but reactions are not delivered today.
• Schedule posts or create automations through the API.

How to turn it off

Switch off Enable Webhook and click Save Configuration. To stop API access, revoke the key under API Keys with the bin icon.

If it doesn’t work

• “Upgrade Required” or “Free Trial Ended” → your plan doesn’t include webhooks. Upgrade to Trendsetter or above.
• Nothing arrives → check Enable Webhook is on, the event is ticked, and you clicked Save Configuration. Then check Delivery Logs.
• Delivery Logs shows Failed → open the row to see the error. Your URL may be wrong, or your Make scenario or Zap may be off.