For example:
Want my free guide? Reply GUIDE and I’ll send it straight to you.
When someone replies GUIDE, Alvéya can automatically send the appropriate response.
How Instagram Story replies work
An Instagram Story reply is sent to your account as a DM.
This means Alvéya doesn't need a separate "Story Reply" trigger.
Instead, the workflow detects the incoming Instagram message and uses a keyword filter to determine whether the automation should run.
Why the keyword filter is important
You don't want your automation responding to every Instagram DM you receive.
For example, imagine someone sends:
Hi, do you have any appointments next week?
You don't want an unrelated Story automation responding:
Great! Here’s your free guide.
Instead, we use a specific keyword to identify the people responding to the Story campaign.
For example:
GUIDE
QUIZ
RESET
AIRWAYS
BOOK
Choose a word that isn't likely to appear frequently in normal conversations.
Step 1: Create your Story
Step 1: Create your Story
Tell people exactly what you'd like them to send.
For example:
Want my free guide?
Reply GUIDE to this Story and I’ll send it straight to you.
Step 2: Create your workflow using the template in our template folder
Step 2: Create your workflow using the template in our template folder
Go to:
Automation → Workflows
Create a new workflow or duplicate your Alvéya Instagram Story Reply template.
Give it a descriptive name, such as:
Instagram Story → Free Guide
Step 3: Add the incoming message trigger
Step 3: Add the incoming message trigger
Add:
Customer Replied
Set the channel to:
This allows the workflow to detect incoming Instagram DMs, including replies to Stories.
Step 4: Add your keyword filter
Step 4: Add your keyword filter
Configure the trigger or workflow conditions so that the automation only runs when the incoming message contains your chosen keyword.
For example:
Message contains → GUIDE
Now:
Story reply: "GUIDE" → automation runs
but:
DM: "Hi, can I make an appointment?" → automation doesn't run
This is what prevents the workflow from automatically responding to every Instagram conversation.
Step 5: Add your automated response
Step 5: Add your automated response
Add:
Instagram Interactive Messenger
This time, set the Reply Type to:
Reply to DM
This is correct for Story automations because the person has already sent you a DM by replying to your Story.
You are responding to their incoming message.
IMPORTANT: Story replies use "Reply to DM"
This is different from a comment-to-DM automation.
Someone commented on a post or Reel?
Use: Reply to Comment via DM
Someone replied to your Story?
Use: Reply to DM
Someone sent you a DM containing your keyword?
Use: Reply to DM
A Story reply is already an incoming Instagram DM, so Reply to DM is the appropriate action.
Example workflow
Your Story:
Want my free sleep guide? Reply SLEEP.
↓
Person replies:
SLEEP
↓
Alvéya detects the incoming Instagram DM.
↓
Keyword filter:
Message contains SLEEP
↓
Instagram Interactive Messenger:
Reply to DM
↓
Here you go. You can access the sleep guide below.
Can I use different keywords for different offers?
Can I use different keywords for different offers?
Yes.
For example:
GUIDE → Free guide
QUIZ → Health assessment
BOOK → Booking information
RESET → Program details
Each keyword can trigger a different workflow or customer journey.
Do I need a new workflow for every Story?
Do I need a new workflow for every Story?
No.
The automation listens for the incoming keyword rather than being attached to one particular Story.
If GUIDE always delivers the same guide, you can use:
Reply GUIDE
across multiple Stories without rebuilding the automation each time.
Can I tell people to DM the keyword instead?
Can I tell people to DM the keyword instead?
Yes.
This exact approach can also be used for calls to action such as:
DM me GUIDE and I’ll send it over.
The keyword could be promoted through a Reel, post, bio, email or elsewhere.
Because the person is sending you an Instagram DM, the same workflow logic applies.
Testing your automation
Before promoting your Story:
Make sure the workflow is published.
Post a test Story.
Reply from another Instagram account using your exact keyword.
Check that the contact enters the workflow.
Confirm that the automated response arrives.
Send a normal Instagram DM without the keyword.
Confirm that the normal message doesn't trigger your campaign response.
Quick reference: Which Instagram Reply Type should I use?
What triggered the automation? | Interactive Messenger Reply Type |
Comment on an Instagram post | Reply to Comment via DM |
Comment on an Instagram Reel | Reply to Comment via DM |
Instagram Story reply | Reply to DM |
Someone sends your keyword via DM | Reply to DM |
Someone responds to an existing DM conversation | Reply to DM |
Remember
COMMENT = Reply to Comment via DM
MESSAGE = Reply to DM
If someone is entering your workflow but not receiving your automated Instagram message, checking the Reply Type should be one of your first troubleshooting steps.