How To Article

Facebook Messenger Auto Reply: A How-To Guide

Chris Lai
Content Writer, Respond.io
April 26, 2022

Facebook Messenger auto reply messages are an effective way to elevate your customer experience. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of setting up Facebook automated responses and the different methods of creating Facebook auto replies. Plus, we’ve compiled the most popular Facebook Messenger auto reply messages.

Facebook Messenger Auto Reply: The Basics

Facebook Messenger auto reply messages refer to automated responses to incoming Messenger chats. Common types of auto reply messages include Welcome Messages and Away Messages.

There are many reasons why Facebook Messenger auto reply messages matter. Firstly, acknowledging new customers with a Welcome Message will help you make a good first impression on them.

This is an image showing the benefits of Facebook Messenger auto reply messages. Acknowledging new customers with Facebook automated responses will help you make a good first impression on them. Away Messages also set the right expectations about response time when you can’t respond to Messenger contacts right away. Plus, businesses can also leverage Welcome and Away messages by greeting customers and asking for their details at the same time. Check out the blog for more info on how to set facebook messenger auto reply and facebook messenger auto reply examples
Why Facebook automated responses matter

Away Messages also set the right expectations about response time when you can’t respond to Messenger contacts right away. Plus, businesses can also leverage Welcome and Away messages by greeting customers and asking for their details at the same time.

Now that you’ve learned the basics of Facebook automated responses, let’s delve into the setup process.

How to Set Up Facebook Messenger Auto Reply

There are two ways to set up Facebook Messenger auto reply messages — through Facebook Page Inbox and respond.io.

The former is intended for small companies that only use Messenger, while the latter is ideal for large companies that also use other Meta products like WhatsApp and Instagram for messaging.

Plus, the advanced automation on respond.io allows you to capture customer details and send contextualized auto reply messages based on customer categories.

How to Set Up Facebook Automated Responses in Facebook Page Inbox

To create Facebook Messenger automated responses, you need to be a Page admin, editor or moderator. To start, go to your Facebook Page.

1. Go to Inbox.

This is an image showing the steps involved in Facebook Messenger auto reply or Facebook automated responses through Facebook Inbox. In order to create Facebook Messenger automated responses, you need to be a Page admin, editor or moderator. To start, go to your Facebook page. Then, go to Inbox. Check out the blog for more info on how to set auto reply in facebook messenger 2021
How to set auto reply in Facebook Page Messenger

2. Click on Automations.

This is an image that illustrates the steps involved on creating Facebook Messenger auto reply or Facebook automated responses through Facebook Inbox. The second step to creating auto reply messenger facebook   is to Click on Automations. Check out the blog for more info on how to set auto reply in facebook messenger 2020.
How to set up auto reply in Facebook Messenger: Go to Automations

3. Navigate to Instant Reply and turn on the toggle.

This is an image that illustrates the steps involved on creating Facebook Messenger auto reply or Facebook automated responses through Facebook Inbox. The third step to creating facebook messenger auto-reply is to Navigate to Instant Reply and turn on the toggle.  Check out the blog for more info on how to set auto reply in facebook messenger 2020. Read the blog for more details on facebook messenger auto reply personal account 2020
How to set up auto reply on Facebook Messenger: Turn on Instant Reply

4. Select Messenger as the preferred platform by checking the box.

This is an image on how to set up facebook business messenger auto reply. To set auto reply facebook messenger, select Messenger as the preferred platform by checking the box. Read the blog for more information on how to set up auto reply in facebook messenger, as well as facebook messenger auto reply sample
How to set up Facebook Page Messenger auto reply: Check the Messenger box

5. Compose your Facebook Messenger auto reply message.

This is an image on how to set up facebook messenger auto reply 2020. Wonder how to set up auto reply on facebook messenger? Compose your Facebook Messenger auto reply message through Facebook Inbox. Read the blog for more info on how to change auto reply on facebook messenger.
How to set up an auto reply on Facebook Messenger: Compose the message

Here, you can choose to personalize the auto reply with the recipient’s name. You may also test the Facebook Messenger auto reply by sending it to your mobile device. Finally, click on Save Changes to publish the Facebook Messenger auto reply message.

<call-out> Warning! Following Meta's latest changes to its Handover Protocol, you can now only have one primary app: either Facebook Page Inbox or a third-party inbox like respond.io. Note that only the primary app will receive incoming messages. <call-out>

Next, we'll show you how to set up Facebook Messenger auto reply messages on respond.io. But before you can use respond.io as a third-party messenger inbox, make sure you disable Facebook Page Inbox and make respond.io the primary app instead.

How to Set Up Facebook Automated Responses on respond.io

Thanks to Workflows, creating Facebook automated responses is an absolute breeze on respond.io. To get started, you need a respond.io account. Navigate to the Workflows module.

1. Set the Workflow Trigger to Conversation Opened.

This is an image showing how to make auto reply on facebook messenger using respond.io. To start, set the Workflow trigger to Conversation Opened. Read the blog for more details on how to set up auto reply in facebook messenger.
How to set auto reply in Facebook Messenger: Select Workflow Trigger

2. AddDate & Time Step and define your business hours if you plan to enable Facebook auto reply messages only at certain times.

This is an image showing how to auto reply on facebook messenger using respond.io.  Add a Date & Time Step and define your business hours. Check out the blog for more facebook messenger auto reply examples for business, and to learn more about facebook messenger auto reply personal account.
How to set up auto reply Facebook on respond.io: Define business hours

3. Add one or more Send a Message Steps. You can create different types of Facebook Messenger auto reply messages in a single Workflow. In the configuration drawer, set the Channel to Facebook Messenger, and Message Type to text. Then, compose the auto reply message(s).

This is an image showing how to set up Facebook automated responses using respond.io. On the platform, add one or more Send a Message Steps.
How to set up a Facebook Messenger auto reply bot: Send a Message Steps

To take your automation game to the next level, you can add an Ask A Question step after your Welcome Message so you can save the responses as a Variable to be used in other parts of your Workflow.

This is an image showing how to save customers' responses as a Variable in a Workflow
Save the responses as a Variable

Next, we’ll share some Facebook Messenger auto reply examples designed for different situations.

9 Facebook Messenger Auto Reply Examples

We have put together a list of popular Facebook Messenger auto reply examples for business, including Welcome Messages, Away Messages and Lead Capture Messages.

Facebook Automated Responses: Welcome Messages

Below is a list of Facebook Messenger Welcome Message samples:

  1. “Thanks for reaching out to [business name]. How can we help you?”
  2. “Hi! 👋 We are so excited to hear from you! Let us know how we can assist you.”
  3. “Hi there! Welcome to [business name]. What can we do for you today?”

Facebook Automated Responses: Away Messages

Here are some examples of Facebook Messenger Away Messages:

  1. “Hello! We’re currently closed, but we’ll get back to you around [time]. In the meantime, check out our FAQ section here: [URL].”
  2. “Hey! Just wanted to let you know that we have received your message and will be in touch by [time].”
  3. “Thanks for your message! We’re currently out of the office, but we’ll get back to you first thing in the morning.”

Facebook Automated Responses: Lead Capture Messages

If you are looking to capture customer details with a Facebook auto reply message, consider these options:

  1. “Thank you for contacting [business name] on Messenger. In order to assist you further, please provide your email address.”
  2. “Thanks for your message! May we have your name and phone number?”
  3. “Hello, please leave your name and email address below and we will be in touch shortly.”

Elevate your customer experience today with Facebook automated responses. To start, create a respond.io account for free and connect Facebook Messenger to the platform.

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about Facebook Messenger auto reply messages, check out the articles below:

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