Instagram Comment to DM Automation API

Ask people to comment “link” and send them a DM. Set your keywords and messages in the dashboard, through the API, or from your AI agent. PostZen sends the replies for you.

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cURL

curl -X POST https://api.postzen.dev/v1/comment-automations \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $POSTZEN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "accountId": "'"$ACCOUNT_ID"'",
    "name": "Launch link",
    "platformPostId": "17900000000000001",
    "keywords": ["link", "guide"],
    "matchMode": "word",
    "typoTolerance": true,
    "dmMessage": "Here is the guide you asked for 👇",
    "buttons": [{ "type": "url", "title": "Open the guide", "url": "https://example.com/guide" }],
    "commentReply": "Sent you a DM!",
    "commentReplyVariations": ["Check your DMs!", "Just sent it over!"]
  }'

Key Features

Everything you need to send DMs from comments and story replies

Send links to commenters through Meta's official API, even if they haven't messaged you before.

Keyword TriggersMatch a keyword anywhere in a comment, as a whole word, or as exact text. Catch typos such as "lnik" and exclude comments that contain negative keywords.
Link Buttons and Image CardsSend a text DM with up to three link buttons. For a visual offer, use an image card with a title, description, and buttons.
Follow GateAsk commenters to follow you before receiving the link. If their follow status is unknown, PostZen prompts them to confirm, then checks before sending.
Public Reply VariationsLet commenters know to check their DMs. Write reply variations and PostZen picks one at random for each comment.
Story Reply TriggersUse keyword triggers for Instagram story replies. Same automation flow as comments.
Send Delays and Duplicate ChecksSend a DM right away or delay it up to 24 hours. PostZen records each match on arrival and limits each person to one DM per automation.

How it Works

From connection to first DM in 3 steps

PostZen handles everything. You just choose the comments to match and the message to send.

01. Connect Instagram
Connect your Instagram professional account through PostZen. Authorize comment and messaging access in the same step.
02. Create the Automation
Choose a post, then set your keywords and message. Use the dashboard to preview the DM, or create the automation with one API call.
03. Start Sending DMs
PostZen checks incoming comments for your keywords, then sends the DM.

Why use PostZen?

Skip months of platform integrations

Each social network means its own developer app, review process, token lifecycle, and media rules. One PostZen integration replaces all of it.

Building it yourself

10 developer apps, 10 OAuth flows, 10 app reviews
Token refresh, rate limits, and retry logic per platform
Media specs and API rules that change without warning
Months of integration work before your first post
App review rejections and delays that block your launch
Quota restrictions that limit your users and frustrate your team

Send the Requested Link
Send the link by DM without replying to each comment yourself.
Ask for a Follow
Require a follow before sharing your link.
No Meta App Review
Connect through PostZen to use our approved comment and messaging permissions.
Webhook-Driven
Receive comments through Meta’s webhooks without polling for updates.
Agents Can Set It Up
Create and manage automations through the PostZen MCP server.
Track Sends and Skips
See who commented, which message PostZen sent, and why it skipped a send.

2,000+ users

Pricing

How much does comment to DM automation cost?

PostZen includes comment-to-DM automation on all plans, without per-contact fees.

Approach	Monthly cost	What you get
ManyChat Pro	$39/mo, billed monthly	Includes 2,500 active contacts; additional contacts cost extra. API access included.
Build it on Meta	Weeks of work	Handle App Review, host webhooks, and enforce Meta’s reply limits.
PostZen	Free, then $19/mo	All plans include automations, DMs, and API access.

Code Examples

Create an automation with one API request

Start with a keyword trigger and a link button. The examples below also cover follow checks and delivery logs.

cURL

curl -X POST https://api.postzen.dev/v1/comment-automations \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $POSTZEN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "accountId": "'"$ACCOUNT_ID"'",
    "name": "Launch link",
    "platformPostId": "17900000000000001",
    "keywords": ["link", "guide"],
    "matchMode": "word",
    "typoTolerance": true,
    "dmMessage": "Here is the guide you asked for 👇",
    "buttons": [{ "type": "url", "title": "Open the guide", "url": "https://example.com/guide" }],
    "commentReply": "Sent you a DM!",
    "commentReplyVariations": ["Check your DMs!", "Just sent it over!"]
  }'

cURL

curl -X POST https://api.postzen.dev/v1/comment-automations \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $POSTZEN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "accountId": "'"$ACCOUNT_ID"'",
    "name": "Followers only",
    "keywords": ["link"],
    "dmMessage": "Here is the link 👇",
    "buttons": [{ "type": "url", "title": "Open", "url": "https://example.com" }],
    "audience": { "followerStatus": "follower", "whenUnknown": "verify" },
    "followGate": { "message": "Follow us to get the link, then tap below 👇", "buttonLabel": "I'\''m following" }
  }'

cURL

curl "https://api.postzen.dev/v1/comment-automations/$AUTOMATION_ID/logs?status=sent&limit=50" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $POSTZEN_API_KEY"

# { "logs": [{ "status": "sent", "commenterUsername": "…", "commentText": "link please",
#              "chosenDmText": "Here is the guide you asked for 👇", "sentMessageId": "…" }],
#   "pagination": { "total": 312, "limit": 50, "skip": 0, "hasMore": true } }

Read the comment automations guide →

Dashboard, API, and MCP

Set it up however you work

Use the dashboard to preview your messages. Manage the same automations from your code or through an AI agent.

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions?

What is comment-to-DM automation?

You choose a keyword, such as "link", and write a DM. PostZen sends that message to people whose comments match, using Meta’s private reply API. They do not need to message you first. You can also add a public reply directing them to their inbox.

Does it work on Reels and carousels?

Yes. Target a single post, Reel, or carousel, or apply an automation across your account. You can also use keyword triggers for story replies, which open Meta’s 24-hour messaging window.

Can the DM include a link?

Yes. Add up to three link buttons to a text DM, or send an image card with a title, description, and buttons. If Meta rejects the template, PostZen sends the content as text with the links included and records the fallback in the log.

How does the follow gate work?

Instagram requires a messaging interaction before it shares someone’s follow status; a comment alone does not count. If PostZen cannot check that status, it sends a prompt asking the commenter to follow you and tap a confirmation button. The tap lets PostZen check. Followers receive the link; others receive another follow prompt. Known followers get the link without this step.

How many DMs can an automation send?

There is no cap on automations or sends on any PostZen plan, including Free. Meta allows one private reply per comment, within seven days of the comment, and 750 private replies per hour per account. PostZen queues sends above that rate until capacity becomes available.

Will people get the same DM twice?

Each person receives one DM per automation. PostZen records the match as soon as the comment arrives and skips later matches from that person, including while a delayed DM waits to send.

Do I need my own Meta app or App Review?

No. Connect your Instagram professional account through PostZen and authorize comment and messaging access. PostZen holds the Meta approvals and hosts the webhooks.

Is this a ManyChat alternative?

Yes, for comment-to-DM automation. PostZen includes it on all plans without per-contact fees. You can manage automations in the dashboard or through the REST API, SDKs, and MCP server. ManyChat offers a broader chatbot flow builder and API access on paid plans, with pricing tied to active contacts.

Does PostZen use the official Instagram API?

Yes. PostZen sends private and public replies and checks follow status through Meta’s official Instagram API, using your connected account’s access token.

Set comment-to-DM in minutes

Connect your Instagram account and write a reply for matching comments.

Start for Free View API docs

Instagram Comment to DM Automation API

Everything you need to send DMs from comments and story replies

From connection to first DM in 3 steps

01. Connect Instagram

02. Create the Automation

03. Start Sending DMs

Skip months of platform integrations

Building it yourself

How much does comment to DM automation cost?

Create an automation with one API request

Set it up however you work

Frequently asked questions

What is comment-to-DM automation?

Does it work on Reels and carousels?

Can the DM include a link?

How does the follow gate work?

How many DMs can an automation send?

Will people get the same DM twice?

Do I need my own Meta app or App Review?

Is this a ManyChat alternative?

Does PostZen use the official Instagram API?

Set comment-to-DM in minutes