ManyChat's most popular Instagram automation is comment-to-DM: someone comments a keyword on your reel and gets a DM with your link. Here is how to set it up in ManyChat, the settings that trip people up, and how the same thing looks in a simpler tool.
The ManyChat steps below follow ManyChat's own guide (updated June 2026). Menu names can change, so trust what you see on screen.
Before you start
- Professional account. Your Instagram account must be Business or Creator. Settings and privacy, Account type and tools.
- Allow access to messages. In Instagram: Settings and privacy, Messages and story replies, Message controls, Connected tools, turn on Allow access to messages. Without this, no tool can send DMs for you.
- One tool per post. If another automation tool watches the same post, people may get two DMs, or none.
Step 1: Connect Instagram to ManyChat
Create a ManyChat account and connect your Instagram account. You approve the connection on Meta's screen; ManyChat does not ask for your password.
Step 2: Start from the comment template
In ManyChat, go to Automations, click + New Automation, and choose the "Auto-DM links from comments" template.
Step 3: Choose the post
Under "When someone comments on", pick:
- A specific post or reel: best for most launches and offers
- Any post: for evergreen replies, such as "price" on every product post
- Next post: handy, but risky if you have posts scheduled, because it may attach to the wrong one
Step 4: Set the keywords
Under "And this comment has", choose specific words and type your keywords separated by commas. Pick a word people will not type by accident: PRICE, LINK or a product name. Avoid "nice" or "thanks", or everyone gets a DM they did not ask for. Add common misspellings.
Step 5: Public replies (optional)
Turn on replies under the post and write a few versions in your own voice, such as "Sent, check your DMs!" Rotating several versions looks more natural than one line repeated a hundred times.
Step 6: Write the DMs
Under "They will get", write the opening DM and the message with your link button. You can ask people to follow you, or to share their email, before the link. Keep it short: one message, one button.
Step 7: Set Live and test
Click Set Live in the top right. Then comment your keyword from a second account. Comment triggers fire once per person per post, so your own repeated test comments may look broken when they are not.
Common ManyChat mistakes
- Leaving the free plan's 25 active contacts to run out on a busy reel. When they are used up, new commenters get nothing until next month. See ManyChat free plan limits.
- Adding a Pro-only block to a flow on the free plan, so it will not go live
- Using "next post" with scheduled content
- Forgetting the call to action, so nobody knows to comment
If it still does not work, go through ManyChat not working on Instagram: fixes.
The same automation in DM Flow
If comment-to-DM is all you need, a focused tool is quicker. In DM Flow:
- Sign up and click Connect Instagram.
- Click New automation and pick the post or reel (or Any post on paid plans).
- Type up to 20 keywords, for example
price, rate, kitna. - Edit the three public replies.
- Write the DM and paste your link. Turn on the follow-gate if you are giving something away.
- Switch it to Live and test from a second account.
Most people finish in five to ten minutes. Pricing is flat and in rupees, with contacts included, so a viral reel does not change your bill: the free plan includes 200 DMs a month, and Growth is ₹999 a month for 15,000 DMs, plus GST. Full walkthrough: set up your first comment-to-DM automation. Comparison: DM Flow vs ManyChat.
Frequently asked questions
Is ManyChat free for Instagram?
There is a free plan with 25 active contacts a month and four live automations. Busy accounts usually need a paid plan.
Can ManyChat send a DM when someone comments on any post?
Yes, choose "any post" when you set up the trigger. In DM Flow the same option is called Any post and is on paid plans.
Why is ManyChat not sending the DM to my own comment?
Comment triggers fire once per person per post, and testing from the connected account itself is unreliable. Test from a second account.
How long does ManyChat take to set up?
A template-based comment flow takes 15 to 30 minutes the first time. Custom flows take longer.
Can I use ManyChat and DM Flow together?
Yes, but not on the same post. Give each tool different posts so nobody gets two DMs.