DM auto-replies on Instagram require three things this app deliberately doesn't do: a publicly-reachable webhook endpoint, an always-on server, and a Meta App Review to enable instagram_manage_messages. We considered building it and cut it — the "run on my laptop" deployment story doesn't work for live event handling.
If you want this feature
- ManyChat (free tier exists) — best-in-class. Their entire product is keyword-triggered IG/FB/WhatsApp flows.
- Customers.ai (formerly MobileMonkey) — similar.
- Manual quick repliesin the Instagram app — "Settings → Business tools → Saved replies". Free, no automation, but instant template insertion when you reply manually.
The 24-hour rule
Whatever tool you use: Instagram only lets you send a DM within 24 hoursafter the user's last message to you. Cold outbound DM blasts to followers aren't API-allowed, regardless of which tool you pick. If a vendor promises this, they're using browser automation and your account will get banned.
What this app gives you instead
The bio-link or first-comment play is still very effective and doesn't need any of this infrastructure: post a Reel with "link in bio", rotate your bio link via a Linktree-like page, capture leads on your own landing page. Schedule the Reel with this app, write the caption with AI, done.