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DocsAutomate & integrateInstagram comments

Instagram comment automation

Two modes — AI moderation or simple template auto-engage — plus blocked-word filtering and comment-to-DM funnels. Same automation, configured per post or globally.

Prerequisite
Instagram channel connected (see Connect Instagram). Comments require the same OAuth — no extra setup at the platform level.

Comments are a separate workflow from DMs in DMtoLead. You decide per automation (or per post) how to handle them. There are three things you can do:

  1. Auto-reply to the comment publicly.
  2. Auto-DM the commenter privately (the classic "comment FIRE and I'll DM you the link" flow).
  3. Have the AI decide what to do (free-text moderation + reply).

Comment-handling modes

Mode 1

Auto-engage (template)

Fixed reply text + fixed DM text. No AI cost (no credits). Best for high-volume "comment to get the link" giveaways.

When to use
Giveaways, lead magnets, single-purpose CTAs.
Mode 2

AI moderation

AI reads each comment and decides: reply, ignore, or DM. Uses your knowledge base. Costs 1 credit per comment it engages with.

When to use
Free-form audience replies, support comments, mixed engagement.

Set up auto-engage (template mode)

  1. 1

    Open the automation

    Automations → your automation → Instagram → Comment handling.

  2. 2

    Set mode to "auto_engage"

    Select the auto-engage option.

  3. 3

    Set the public reply

    autoReplyText — the comment reply (visible publicly). Example: "Just DM'd you the link 💌"

  4. 4

    Set the DM body

    autoDmText — what gets DM'd to the commenter. Example: "Here's the link you asked for: {{link}} — let me know if you need anything else."

  5. 5

    (Optional) Restrict to specific posts

    By default the rule applies to every post. To restrict to one specific post (e.g. only the giveaway Reel), paste that post's Instagram URL in the post-filter field.

Set up AI moderation

  1. 1

    Set mode to "ai"

    The AI now reads every incoming comment.

  2. 2

    Link RAG sources (if relevant)

    If commenters ask product or stock questions, the AI needs your Shopify (or other) RAG source linked to this automation. See Train your AI.

  3. 3

    Decide reply policy

    In the automation's comment-handling settings: reply publicly, reply privately (DM), or both. Most workspaces do "both" — public short reply, longer follow-up in DM.

Blocked words (auto-moderation)

Optional. Add a blockedWords list (comma-separated) and DMtoLead auto-deletes any comment containing those words. The AI doesn't engage and no DM is sent. Useful for slurs, competitor spam, or specific trigger keywords you want hidden from your public Instagram profile.

Cost

  • Auto-engage mode: 1 credit per comment-reply + 1 credit per DM sent. Match this against your plan allowance.
  • AI moderation mode: 1 credit per comment the AI engages with. Comments the AI ignores (or that match blocked words) cost nothing.
Instagram's anti-spam policy
Don't blanket-reply to comments with off-topic CTAs or DM strangers unprompted — Instagram aggressively rate-limits and can shadowban accounts that look automated. Comment-to-DM works becausethe commenter explicitly asked for it. Keep auto-engage tied to clear opt-in CTAs ("comment X for Y").
Related
Connect Instagram
Channel setup prerequisite.
Train your AI
Comment AI uses the same knowledge as DM AI.
Comment automation use case
Real-world setup example.
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