Questions
Instagram comment automation, questions answered
What you need, how it works, the rules Instagram sets, and the things it doesn’t do yet — that last group is here on purpose, so you know before you ask for access rather than after.
Getting started
What do I need to use Instagram comment automation?
An Instagram professional account — a Business or Creator account. Personal accounts can't receive automated messages through Instagram's API. You connect it by signing in with Instagram, as an admin of your Sendrix workspace.
Is it available now?
It's in early access, opening to a small number of accounts at a time. Request access with your Instagram handle and we'll be in touch when there is room for your account.
How much does it cost?
We'll confirm pricing with you when we open your account. Nothing for Instagram automation is billed automatically today.
Does Sendrix post anything on my account?
No. It asks for permission to read your posts, and to manage comments and messages. It never asks for permission to publish, so it can't post to your feed or stories.
How it works
What triggers an automation?
A comment on your posts or reels. You choose the words — up to 20 per automation — and whether a comment should contain the word, be exactly the word, or whether every comment should get a reply. Matching ignores capital letters and works in any language.
Can one automation watch all my posts?
Yes. Leave the post selection empty and it watches everything you post, including posts you make later. Or pick specific posts. If two automations match the same comment, the one watching that specific post answers, so a launch automation beats a catch-all.
What can the DM contain?
Your text, up to 900 characters, and one link, which is added on its own line. You can greet each person by their @handle.
What is the public reply for?
A short reply under the comment, so everyone reading the thread sees the question was answered. You can write up to 5 versions and they rotate. It only posts after the DM has been sent successfully.
How does follow to unlock work?
Instead of the link, the commenter gets a DM asking them to follow you and reply. When they reply, Instagram tells us whether they follow you. If they do, the link goes out. If not, they get a reminder — at most 2 — and the link still goes the moment they follow and reply again.
Can I test it before it goes live?
Yes. Automations start switched off. You can run a saved automation against a real comment on your post and see the DM and public reply arrive before switching it on for everyone.
Instagram's rules
How long after a comment can a DM be sent?
Instagram allows a private reply to a comment within 7 days of the comment being posted. The automation replies as comments arrive, so in practice this only matters for comments on old posts.
Can someone get more than one DM from the same comment?
No. Instagram allows one private reply per comment, and the automation keeps a record of every comment it has answered so it never sends a second, even if Instagram notifies it twice.
What if someone comments twice?
They get the message once. The same person gets an automation's DM at most once in 24 hours, however many times they comment, so a keen follower is not sent the same link five times.
Is there a limit on how many DMs it can send?
Yes, Instagram's: 750 comment DMs an hour per account. The automation sends up to 700 an hour, a few every minute, and queues the rest in order, so if a post takes off every matching comment is still answered, just not all in the same minute. Anything still waiting after 7 days, Instagram's limit for replying to a comment, is marked expired.
What it doesn't do (yet)
Does it reply to DMs, story replies or mentions?
Not yet. It answers comments on posts and reels. Messages sent directly to your account aren't answered automatically, apart from the reply someone sends to a follow request.
Can the DM include buttons or images?
Not yet. The message is text with one link. That's also what reads most naturally in a DM.
Does it use AI to write replies?
No. Every message and public reply is one you wrote, sent exactly as you wrote it.
Can I connect more than one Instagram account?
Not yet. Each Sendrix workspace connects one Instagram account.
Early access
Stop answering the same comment by hand
Instagram automation is opening to a small number of accounts at a time. Tell us your handle and we'll be in touch when there's room for yours.