How to Set Up Instagram Auto Reply: A Step-by-Step Guide
You can set up Instagram auto replies with Meta Business Suite or with an automation tool. Here is how the two differ, where each one stops and which fits your business.
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There are two ways to set up auto replies on Instagram: with Meta Business Suite's built-in automations, or with an automation tool that uses the official API. The first is free and simple. The second is flexible enough to answer product questions.
1. Auto replies with Meta Business Suite
In Meta Business Suite, go to Inbox > Automations. You can set up these replies there:
- Instant reply: sent to someone who messages you for the first time.
- Away message: sent to messages that arrive outside the hours you set.
- Frequently asked questions: ready-made questions the customer taps, each with its own answer.
All of these are fixed text. They can't answer a question like "Do you have the blue dress in medium?" with stock details.
2. Auto replies with an automation tool
Tools that use the official Instagram Messaging API can reply differently depending on what the message says. Here is how setup works in UlakChat:
- Connect your Instagram Business or Creator account through Meta's permission screen.
- Upload your products in bulk from a file.
- Use Create Flow with AI and describe your business in a few sentences, or build the flow yourself in the editor.
- Turn the flow on and test it by messaging your own account. If you'd like to see how it works first, send a message to our demo account @ulakbutik.
Which one should you choose?
| Meta Business Suite | Automation tool (UlakChat) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free plan available, paid plans billed in ₺ |
| Reply type | Fixed text | Text, buttons, photos and product cards, based on your flow |
| Product catalog | No | Searches your catalog for the product |
| Comment to DM | No | Yes |
| Setup time | A few minutes | Five to ten minutes |
If you don't get many messages and most of them ask the same thing, Meta Business Suite may be enough. If you get product questions, or you want to send people from comments to DMs, you'll need an automation tool. For more detail, see our Instagram DM automation page.
What the customer sees when a comment moves to the DM:
Someone commented "price?" on the post. The reply under the comment says "We've sent you the price by DM."
Hi, Cream Trench Coat is currently 799 ₺.
Frequently asked questions
Are Meta Business Suite's automated replies free?
Yes. Instant replies, away messages and frequently asked questions are free to set up in Meta Business Suite. These replies are fixed text, though, and they don't look at your product catalog.
Do I need to switch to a business account for auto replies?
Yes. Both Meta's own tools and automation apps require a Business or Creator account.
