Why are automated messages necessary on Instagram?
A customer posts "What are the prices?" on your Instagram account. If you see the message in the morning, that customer may have already asked the same question on another account. Instagram messages are often hasty, short questions, and the first person to respond usually gets the job.
The good news is: Instagram has several free tools built-in. The bad news is: not all of these tools are truly "automatic." In this article, you'll find out what each one does, how to install them, and when you might need an additional tool.
Instagram's own automated messaging tools
If you use a professional (business or content creator) account on Instagram, you have access to four tools. According to the guides, these tools are not available for personal accounts. Menu names may vary depending on the language and app version.
Vehicle | Where | Is it automatic? | What is it used for? |
|---|---|---|---|
Frequently Asked Questions | Instagram app, message box | Yes, when the customer selects a question | It lists pre-prepared questions and sends the answers itself. |
Recorded responses | Instagram app, message box | No, you send it. | Adds a shortcut text to the chat. |
Instant response | Meta Business Suite, Inbox, Automations | Yes | It sends an initial welcome message to everyone who writes. |
Message from afar | Meta Business Suite, Inbox, Automations | Yes | We will send a response at the times you specify. |
Creating frequently asked questions
This tool displays pre-prepared questions that the customer can tap on in their message box. When the customer taps on a question, they automatically receive the answer.
- In the Instagram app, tap the message icon in the upper right corner.
- Start with the "Set up automatic replies" section.
- Turn on the "Show questions" switch.
- Use "Add question" to enter your question and the automated answer.
- Save it.
According to the guides, this setting can only be done through the Instagram mobile app.
Setting up saved responses
The saved reply feature allows you to link a frequently used message to a shortcut. When you type the shortcut in a chat, the text appears in the message box, allowing you to edit and send it if needed.
Don't confuse this with an automatic reply: the message is only sent when you send it. So it speeds up your typing but it won't reply to a message you receive late at night for you.
Instant response and remote message setup.
These two tools are located in the Inbox section of Meta Business Suite. Your Instagram account must be connected to Meta Business Suite.
Immediate response:
- In Meta Business Suite, open Inbox and go to Automations .
- Select 'Instant Response ' and turn on the switch.
- Bookmark Instagram.
- Type the message and save the changes.
Message from afar:
- In Automations, select the ' Away ' message and check Instagram.
- By adding the time, specify the hours you will be away.
- Write and save the message.
A word of warning: According to the guidelines, you cannot use Meta Business Suite inbox and a third-party inbox as your primary application simultaneously. If you add another tool in the future, you may need to manage these automations from that tool.
Ready-made Instagram message examples
Replace the fields in square brackets with your own information.
Instant response
Cafe and restaurant: "Hello, thank you for writing to [Business name]. You can find our menu and opening hours via the link in our profile. For reservations, please write the date, time, and number of people."
Beauty salon: "Hello, welcome to [Salon name]. To schedule an appointment, please specify the service you require and your preferred date and time, and we will get back to you as soon as possible."
Online store: "Hello, thank you for your message. Providing your order number will help us respond more quickly to your shipping and return inquiries."
Message from afar
"We are currently outside of our business hours. We have received your message and will get back to you by [00.00] on [day]."
Headings for frequently asked questions
Pricing information, opening hours, address, appointments or reservations, shipping and returns. The first five are sufficient. A very long list won't tire the customer but will distract them.
A good automated message is short, tells the customer what to do, and indicates when you will get back to them.
Places where established vehicles are insufficient
Instagram's own tools speed up the initial response, but they have limitations:
- Saved replies only work in messages; they do not automatically reply to comments.
- For rules like capturing responses based on keywords, story replies, or automatically sending DMs to people who commented, a separate automation tool is needed.
- When a customer asks a specific question like "Do you have a table for 4 on Saturday?", the pre-written text isn't enough; you have to write the answer yourself.
- Messages from Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp are collected in separate locations.
At this point, an AI chatbot that answers frequently asked questions itself and hands the conversation over to the team when necessary comes into play. We've explained the same limitations on the WhatsApp side in our WhatsApp Business automated message guide .
Reply to Instagram messages and comments with Chatbu.
Chatbu connects your Instagram account by authorizing it through your Facebook login: in the window that opens, you select your business account. Once connected, it can respond to Instagram messages and comments on your behalf.
- It is trained using your own information. Upload your price list, menu, or website address; the bot will generate responses from that content.
- It brings together messages and comments. It gathers Instagram and Facebook page messages and comments, Google business reviews, and WhatsApp all in one place.
- It hands the case over to the team when necessary. When a complaint or special request comes in, the entire conversation, including its history, is passed on to your team.
- It adds the appointment to the calendar. It integrates with Google Calendar and can open a booking during the chat.
