Instagram comment auto-reply that sends a DM
How to make a keyword under a post send the person a Direct message while a public reply appears under their comment.
In Craft these are two parts working together: a funnel started by a keyword writes to the person in Direct, and an auto-reply answers publicly under their comment — "Sent you a DM ✅". The person writes the word under the post, gets the message and sees that the answer went out.
Who it is for#
- Creators and experts who give out a guide, checklist or link for a word in the comments.
- Shops and businesses whose posts get "price", "where to buy", "I want it".
- Anyone who wants comments under a post to grow without answers getting lost.
What you need#
- An Instagram account connected to Craft with all permissions. If the accounts page shows the "No automations" badge, auto-replies and Direct funnels don't work — how to fix it.
- About ten minutes.
Step 1. Build a funnel with a keyword#
Create a funnel for this Instagram account and set a keyword in its Triggers — for example "guide". Choose how to match: exact match or contains. An Instagram funnel is started only by a keyword — in a comment under a post or in a direct message. Without a keyword it won't start at all. More — what starts a funnel.
🔴 After a comment — one message. For a comment, Instagram lets through one message in Direct. The next one arrives only after the person replies: taps a button or writes. So put a button in the first message and don't send two messages in a row, even with a delay — the second won't be delivered.
Step 2. Connect the auto-reply#
- Open the funnel in the builder.
- Click Connect auto-reply in the header.
- Click Connect next to an existing auto-reply of this account, or Create a new auto-reply — it's saved and connected right away.
The button turns green — Auto-reply connected. If the auto-reply is paused, the button is yellow and the window has Turn on.
You don't need to copy keywords into the auto-reply: it answers the words of every connected funnel on its own. Change a word in the Triggers — the auto-reply answers the new one. Details — auto-reply under a post.
💡 In the auto-reply form, in the Funnels section, turn on Connect new funnels of this account automatically — and stop thinking about the auto-reply for every new funnel.
Step 3. Turn the funnel on and test it#
Turn the funnel on and ask a friend to write the keyword under a post.
⚠️ A funnel that's off — no auto-reply. While the funnel is off, the auto-reply stays silent on its words: otherwise the post would say "Sent you a DM" while no message arrived.
⚠️ Your own reply cancels the auto-reply. If you've already replied under the comment yourself — in the Instagram app or any other way — the auto-reply won't go there.
When several auto-replies match#
One comment always gets one public reply. The right one is chosen in the Exceptions and priority block: exception words make an auto-reply stay silent, and when several fit, the one with the higher priority answers.
⚠️ "Contains" catches the word anywhere, including in a complaint. For common words like "price", add exceptions such as "broke" or "complaint".
Replies to comments without a keyword#
The Comment auto-replies tab has the AI picks the auto-reply by meaning switch — separate for each account, off by default. The AI reads the comment and picks a fitting auto-reply even without a keyword. A complaint gets no public reply and you get a Telegram notification; for trolling and spam the AI stays silent and adds the "спам" (spam) tag. It costs 1 credit per 15 comments analyzed.
People who write to Direct without a keyword can be answered by the AI agent.
What isn't there yet#
- Auto-replies in TikTok. Funnel keywords don't work in TikTok — funnels answer in Instagram, Telegram and VK.
- Two messages in a row after a comment — this is Instagram's own limit.
- Two auto-replies on one funnel. Connect another and the previous one disconnects.
- An auto-reply from a different Instagram account — only the same account.
FAQ#
Why did someone write the word but get nothing in Direct?#
Check that the funnel is on, that it has a keyword and starts from comments, and that the account doesn't show "No automations". Through the MCP connector you can ask the AI why a message wasn't delivered — it shows the block and Instagram's reason.
Do I need to repeat the keywords in the auto-reply?#
No. The auto-reply takes the words from connected funnels on its own.
Can one auto-reply cover all posts and funnels?#
Yes. An account usually has one auto-reply for all funnels — connect it to each or turn on automatic connection of new funnels.
Why didn't the funnel's second message arrive?#
After a comment Instagram lets through only one message. The second arrives once the person taps a button or replies.
Can I set this up through Claude or ChatGPT?#
Yes. Connect the MCP connector: after building a funnel started from a comment, the AI offers an auto-reply on its own.