DM automation means a tool sends direct messages for you when something triggers it: a person writes to you, or comments a keyword on your post. The tool matches the trigger, sends a fixed text or an AI reply, and your team sees the result in the inbox. What it can do depends on the channel, because Meta and the other platforms set their own limits, and the same word, “auto DM”, covers quite different things. This article walks through each channel, then sets one up in VivaDialog.
If your goal is mostly Instagram comments, the Instagram comment automation guide is the long version. How to send an automatic DM when someone comments on Instagram covers the comment-to-DM case in detail.
What “auto DM” can mean
| What people mean | Can a tool do it | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Reply automatically to a DM someone sent you | Yes | On Meta channels, within 24 hours of the person’s last message |
| Send a DM to someone who commented on a post | Yes, one per comment | Within 7 days of the comment |
| Send a DM when someone replies to or mentions you in a Story | Yes | A DM reply, so the 24-hour rule applies |
| Send a DM to a new follower or a stranger | No, not through Meta’s official API | Messages people did not ask for are what Instagram says it limits |
| Send a bulk message to a list | Not as a first message | A conversation has to start with the person |
VivaDialog covers the first three rows. Every automation starts from something a person did. It does not send first messages to people who have not written or commented.
What each channel allows
| Channel | What an automation can do | Rule behind it |
|---|---|---|
| Answer DMs, Story replies, and Story mentions; send one private DM to a commenter, including during a Live | 24 hours after the person’s last message; 7 days after a comment; a Live only during the broadcast | |
| Facebook Pages | Answer Messenger DMs; send one private reply to a commenter | Same 24-hour and 7-day limits |
| Threads | Reply to comments in public. No DMs | Threads has no API for DMs, so the “send a private DM” action is skipped there |
| Telegram | Answer private chats with your bot | Telegram bots only, from the Growth plan |
| Answer incoming email from your own address | From the Starter plan; the usual daily email limits apply |
For Instagram, Meta’s private replies documentation sets the comment rules: one message to the commenter, within 7 days of the comment, and follow-ups only after the person answers, within 24 hours of that answer. The Instagram auto reply article puts each surface in a table.
On Threads, a rule can still answer replies in public with fixed text or AI. Threads keyword auto reply shows how, and what works on Threads lists the limits. For Telegram, see connect a Telegram bot, and for email, connect an email inbox.
Set up DM automation in VivaDialog
You need a connected account and an owner or admin role. Connect your Instagram account or your Facebook Page first.
Answer a DM automatically
- Open Automations, click New rule on the Rules tab, and choose Start from scratch, or pick a template with Use this.
- Give it a Rule name. Under What starts this automation?, choose New DM.
- Under Which messages?, choose Messages with certain words and enter Words to look for, such as
price, hours, order, or choose Every message for a simple away reply. - To keep it on one channel, open Advanced settings and select the account under Only on. Use Skip messages that contain for words such as
refund, so a person handles those. - Under How should it reply?, choose Same text every time or Answer with AI. With AI, write the facts it may use, such as prices and opening hours. It answers only from them.
- Optionally set Wait before running? to a few minutes, so the reply feels less automatic. The wait is cancelled if someone on your team answers first.
- Under Send a reminder later?, tick Yes, send a second DM if they do not write back if you want a follow-up. It goes out between 30 minutes and 23 hours after their message, and not once Meta’s 24-hour window has closed.
- Use Test it first, then click Save rule.
Send a DM when someone comments
Choose New comment in step 2 instead, then under Also send a DM? tick Send a private DM to the person who commented and write the DM. Use the Comment INFO, get the details by DM template as a start. The public reply can stay or you can choose Don’t reply to send only the DM.
Go further with flows and the AI Agent
A rule answers one message. A flow, from the Growth plan, keeps the conversation going with choices and waits (how flows work). The AI Agent answers DMs no flow or rule handled, from the Knowledge entries you write (the AI Agent and your Knowledge entries).
Every automation runs under the same limits: at most one automatic reply per comment or message, nothing older than 24 hours gets an automatic reply, and your own account never triggers one. How automations work lists them.
Free ways to automate Instagram messages
VivaDialog has no free plan. In 2026 several other tools listed a free tier when we checked their pricing pages: ManyChat for 25 active contacts, ReplyRush with 1,500 DMs a month, LinkDM with 1,000, InstantDM with 500 automations, and CreatorFlow with 500 DMs. Limits differ by tool and change, so ManyChat alternatives has the dated list and what each free plan leaves out. Instagram also has its own settings for professional accounts. We have not verified the details of those here, so check Instagram’s Help Center before relying on them.
A free tier is often a good first test. The questions to ask before you move real traffic onto it are how it connects (through Meta’s official login, or by asking for your password) and what happens when the limit is reached. Is Instagram comment automation safe? explains the first.
Keep it from feeling robotic
- Answer what was asked. A keyword rule beats “every message” for most businesses.
- Make the first DM stand alone. Meta lets you send more only after the person replies.
- Tell people it is automatic where it matters. AI replies carry a short note such as “(automated reply by AI)” by default.
- Leave sensitive messages to a person. Skip words like
refundorcomplaint, and keep the inbox filters handy.
Frequently asked questions
What is DM automation?
Software that sends direct messages for you when a trigger happens, such as a keyword in a DM or a comment. On Meta channels it can only answer people who have written or commented.
Is auto DM allowed on Instagram?
Through Meta’s official API, yes, within its limits: replies to DMs within 24 hours, and one private DM per comment within 7 days. Tools that log in with your password are a different category.
Can I automate DMs on Threads?
No. Threads has no API for DMs. Automations can reply to Threads comments in public.
Can I automate Telegram and email too?
Yes. Telegram bots work from the Growth plan, and email from Starter. Automations and AI replies apply to both.
Are automated Instagram messages free?
Some tools have free tiers, as listed above. VivaDialog does not.
VivaDialog is in early access right now, and participants get the Growth plan free for 30 days. The pricing page has the details.