# What is the Welcome Message and should I turn it on? Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/welcome-message Section: Auto-DM people who comment Works on: Web app, iPhone app, Android 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:** The Welcome Message is a first DM with one button, such as 'Get my content'. The person taps it, then gets your link or file. The tap opens a normal chat, so more messages can follow. Turn it on if you send buttons, files or several messages. It is on Legend Pro and above. ## Before you start - You need Legend Pro or a higher plan. On other plans the switch shows a crown. - You need a comment or story automation. See [How do I send a DM when someone comments?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/send-dm-when-someone-comments.md) ## Why it helps Instagram lets a business send one private reply to a comment. When the person taps a button in that reply, a normal chat opens, and you can send more: your link, a file, product cards or several messages in a row. The Welcome Message is that first reply with a button. **Turn it on when:** - You use **DM Sequence**. A second message needs the Welcome Message (or the follow gate) on. - You send a button card, product cards or a PDF. - Instagram refuses your DM on some comments (it says the comment can't get a private reply). InstantDM's own advice for this is to turn on the Welcome Message. **You can leave it off when** you send one short text with a link and want people to get it with no extra tap. ## Steps 1. Open the post's editor: **Quick Automation** → **Instagram** → **Posts** → click the post → **Send Link or PDF** card. 2. Turn on the **Welcome Message** switch. 3. Click the text to edit it. The default is "Hey, here is the content you have commented for, click below to get your content." 4. Click the button to rename it. The default is "Get my content". 5. Don't add a link here. 6. Set up the rest (trigger words, the DM) and click **Publish**. ## On the phone app In the post editor (**Send Link or Images** → **Edit Automation**), turn on **Welcome Message** and fill in **Title** and **Button Name**. Tap **Publish**. The app calls Legend Pro **Starter**. ## What your followers see 1. They comment your word. 2. They get a DM with your welcome text and one button. 3. They tap the button. 4. If the follow gate is on and they don't follow you, they get the "follow first" message. Otherwise they get your link, file or first sequence message. ## Good to know - If you publish without a Welcome Message or follow gate, InstantDM shows "Recommended Setup for Better Engagement". You can still click **Send link directly**. - Flows from comments always start with a message and a button, so this step is built in there. - Lead Gen has its own welcome step: **Step 3: Welcome Message (shown before DM)**. ## What you can't do - Add a second button to the Welcome Message. - Send a reminder to people who didn't tap, from this editor. See [How do I send a reminder if someone doesn't reply?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/follow-up-if-no-reply.md) ## How to turn it off Switch **Welcome Message** off and click **Publish** again. If you use **DM Sequence**, turn on the follow gate first or go back to **Single Message**. ## If it doesn't work - The switch is greyed out with a crown: your plan doesn't include it. - "Enable welcome message to use DM Sequences.": turn the Welcome Message on before you add a second message. - People got the welcome card but not the link: they must tap the button. Check the post's **All Comments** tab to see what was sent. ## Questions people also ask **Can I put my link in the Welcome Message?** No. The editor says it 'should not contain any link'. Put the link in the DM that comes after the tap. **What if someone never taps the button?** Then they don't get your link. For a reminder to people who don't tap, you need Flow Automation (Trendsetter and above). **Does the Welcome Message use a credit?** Yes. It is a DM, so it uses 1 credit on plans with credits, and the link after the tap uses another. ## 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 send several DMs in a row?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/send-several-dms-in-a-row.md) - [How do I send a PDF, buttons or product cards in the DM?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/send-pdf-buttons-or-products.md) - [What are Instagram's rules for automatic DMs?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/instagram-dm-rules.md)