You can use Alvéya to automatically send someone a private Instagram message when they comment on one of your posts or Reels.
For example:
Want my free guide? Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send it straight to your DMs.
Alvéya can detect the keyword, respond to their comment and send the resource privately.
Before you start
Make sure your Instagram Business or Creator account is connected to Alvéya.
[Connecting Instagram & Facebook for Automation] - There are additional steps needed past the social scheduling connection.
You'll also need to decide:
Which post or Reel you're using or if its on any post/reel
What keyword people should comment
Whether you'd like to reply publicly
What private message you'd like them to receive
Step 1: Create your workflow using the prebuilt Alvéya Template
Step 1: Create your workflow using the prebuilt Alvéya Template
Go to:
Automation → Workflows -> Alvéya Workflow Templates -> Social Media Workflows
You can either create a workflow from scratch or duplicate the Alvéya Instagram Comment Automation template.
Give it a descriptive name, such as: Instagram Comment → Free Guide
Step 2: Add the Instagram comment trigger
Step 2: Add the Instagram comment trigger
Add or amend the current trigger thats in the template:
Instagram Comment(s) on a Post
Choose your connected Instagram account.
You can then select which post or Reel the workflow should apply to and configure the comment criteria.
For example:
Comment contains → GUIDE
Choose a keyword that is simple for your audience to remember but specific enough that people aren't likely to use it accidentally.
Step 3: Add an automatic public comment reply
Step 3: Add an automatic public comment reply
This step is optional.
You can add:
Respond On Comment
For example:
It’s on its way. Check your DMs.
This lets the person know to look for your private message.
Step 4: Send the private message
Step 4: Send the private message
Add:
Instagram Interactive Messenger
For Reply Type, select:
Reply to Comment via DM
Write the private message you'd like them to receive.
For example:
Hi! Here’s the guide I promised.
Tap below to access it.
You can also add buttons or quick replies depending on what you want the person to do next.
IMPORTANT: Do not select "Reply to DM"
This is the most important setting in this workflow.
For an automation that begins when someone comments on a post or Reel, your first private message needs to be:
Instagram Interactive Messenger → Reply to Comment via DM
Correct | Incorrect |
|
Instagram Comment | Instagram Comment The second version may still show that the person successfully entered your workflow. However, the DM may not be delivered. |
|
Why?
Why?
Meta treats replying privately to a comment differently from sending someone a standard Instagram DM.
Reply to Comment via DM tells Meta that this private message is being sent in direct response to the person's comment.
Reply to DM is designed for situations where the person has already started or interacted with a DM conversation.
Meta's normal messaging restrictions apply to Reply to DM, including its permitted messaging window.
So someone can:
Comment → Enter your workflow successfully → Not receive the DM
if you've accidentally selected Reply to DM.
If your comment automation isn't sending DMs, this is one of the first settings to check.
What about the 24-hour messaging window?
What about the 24-hour messaging window?
Meta generally restricts standard automated Instagram DMs to people who have recently interacted with your business through Instagram messaging.
However, the initial Reply to Comment via DM is treated differently because it is directly connected to their comment.
This is why choosing the correct Reply Type matters.
Once the person begins interacting with your private messages, subsequent automated messages may be subject to Meta's normal messaging window.
Can the public comment reply come before the DM?
Can the public comment reply come before the DM?
Yes.
Your workflow can be:
Comment trigger
↓
Respond On Comment
↓
Reply to Comment via DM
The DM does not need to be the first workflow action.
For example:
Public reply: Check your DMs. It’s on its way.
followed by:
Private DM: Hi! Here’s the guide you requested...
Continuing the conversation after the first DM
Continuing the conversation after the first DM
Your first private message from the comment should use:
Reply to Comment via DM
If the person then interacts with that private conversation, subsequent messages can use:
Reply to DM
For example:
Person comments GUIDE
↓
Reply to Comment via DM
I’ve got it. Would you like me to send you the guide?
↓
Person taps YES
↓
Reply to DM
Here it is...
This distinction is particularly important when creating multi-step Instagram conversations.
Troubleshooting: They're entering the workflow but not receiving the DM
1. Check the Reply Type first
1. Check the Reply Type first
Open the Instagram Interactive Messenger action.
If this is the first private message after an Instagram comment, it should say:
Reply to Comment via DM
If it says:
Reply to DM
change it.
This is the first thing we'd recommend checking.
2. Make sure the workflow is published
2. Make sure the workflow is published
Check the Draft / Publish toggle at the top of your workflow.
3. Check your trigger
3. Check your trigger
Confirm that:
The correct Instagram account is selected
The correct post or Reel is selected
Your keyword conditions match the comment you're using to test
4. Check the execution logs
4. Check the execution logs
Go to your workflow's:
Execution Logs
Find the test contact and check which actions were completed and whether an error occurred.
5. Check your Instagram connection
5. Check your Instagram connection
Make sure your Instagram account is still correctly connected to Alvéya.
6. Test from another account
6. Test from another account
Test by commenting from a different Instagram account rather than the business account connected to Alvéya.
Still not working?
Contact Alvéya Support and include:
Your workflow name
The Instagram account you're using
The post or Reel you're testing
The keyword you commented
Approximate date and time of the test
A screenshot of the relevant Execution Log
This gives us the information we need to investigate the workflow.