Want to know how to activate Instagram auto reply messages? We've got you covered! This article will explain why you need an Instagram auto responder and the different ways you can set up auto reply on Instagram.
What is Instagram Auto Reply
Instagram auto reply is the automated response sent when customers message you on Instagram. Welcome and away messages are two of the most common auto replies businesses use to improve customers’ experience.
Compared to traditional messaging channels like email, customers have higher response time expectations on apps like Instagram. However, businesses are not always able to respond immediately due to lack of staff, limited hours of operation and more.
To solve that, businesses can manage customers’ expectations by setting automated away messages with details of when customers can expect a reply from them or alternate ways to contact them if there’s a pressing issue.
If a customer is contacting you for the first time, automated welcome messages can help your business make a positive first impression by providing a timely and friendly response.
To make the most out of a welcome message, businesses can include a pre-chat survey to collect customer information and inquiry details so that agents can understand the situation before conversing with them.
Now that you understand the fundamentals, let's look at the different ways you can set up Instagram auto reply.
How to Set Up Auto Reply on Instagram
Businesses can use one of three methods to set up prompt responses to customers who message them on Instagram.
These include:
- Instagram App Direct Message Inbox
- Meta Business Suite Inbox
- Respond.io’s Omnichannel Messaging Inbox
In the next section, we’ll explain the functions of each option and how to set them up so you can start using Instagram auto reply right away.
How to Set Up Instagram Quick Reply: Instagram DM Inbox
There’s no Instagram DM auto reply feature on the app itself. Therefore, businesses communicating with clients solely through the app can send ready-made responses to common customer queries using Instagram Quick Replies.
To use this feature, your must first ensure that your Instagram account is a business account. Note that you can only set up Quick Replies on the Instagram phone app. To set it up, go to Settings > Business > Saved replies and start composing your quick replies.
For step-by-step setup instructions, read our guide to Instagram Quick Replies. Next, we’ll show you how to set up Instagram auto reply and the types of auto replies available on Meta Business Suite.
How To Set Up Automatic Replies on Instagram: Meta Business Suite Inbox
Thanks to Meta’s ownership of Instagram and Facebook Messenger, businesses can send Instagram auto replies via Meta Business Suite. However, the automated messaging features on Meta Business Suite are limited to instant replies and away messages.
To set up auto reply on Instagram, you must first connect your Instagram Business account to Meta Business Suite. Once they are connected, you can set instant reply and away messages.
Auto Reply Instagram: Instant Reply
1. Open Meta Business Suite Inbox and click on Automations.
2. Navigate to Instant Reply and turn on the toggle.
3. Select Instagram by checking the box.
4. Compose your auto reply message and click on the Sparkles icon if you want to personalize your Instagram auto responder instant reply.
5. Click on Save Changes to publish your auto reply.
If you want to test the message before saving it, click on Preview in Messenger. Next, we’ll show you how to set up an away message on Meta Business Suite.
Auto Reply Instagram: Away Message
1. Open Meta Business Suite Inbox and click on Automations.
2. Navigate to Away Message, select Instagram by checking the box and click on +Add Time to schedule your away time.
3. Set your away hours.
4. Compose your away message and click on +Add Customer’s Name if you want to personalize it.
5. Click Save. Your away message will be sent when customers message you outside of your business hours.
Want more advanced automation with messaging compared to what Meta Business Suite can provide? You'll need a business messaging platform like respond.io.
<call-out> Warning! Following Meta's latest changes to its Handover Protocol, you can now only have one primary app: either Meta Business Suite 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 Instagram auto reply messages on respond.io. However, before you can use respond.io as a third-party Instagram inbox, you must disable Meta Business Suite Inbox and make respond.io the primary app instead.
How to Set Up Instagram Auto Responder on respond.io
Respond.io advanced automation allows you to capture customer information and send contextual automated messages based on customer categories such as geography, products purchased, subscription tier and more.
Plus, setting up advanced automated messages is easy with respond.io’s Workflows. You can even configure your Workflow to route contacts to the right team and assign them to an available agent once your auto replies are sent. Follow the steps below to get started.
1. Navigate to the Workflows Module and click on Add Workflow.
2. Set the Workflow Trigger to Conversation Opened.
3. Add the Date & Time Step to set your business hours. This will determine when an away message or welcome message should be sent.
4. Add the Send a Message Step. Make sure to set the Channel to Instagram in the configuration drawer when you compose your welcome and away messages.
If you wish to obtain customer information, add the Ask a Question Step. The responses can be saved as Variables or Contact Fields to be used in other parts of the Workflow. Once you’ve set up your Workflow, save and publish it.
Want to start sending Instagram auto replies with respond.io? Create a free account and connect your Instagram to boost your Instagram auto reply game. To ease your setup process, we have compiled examples of welcome messages, away messages and lead capture messages for you.
Further Reading
Did you find this article useful? If so, here are some readings on Instagram that might interest you.
