Setting up Instagram DM automation for the first time? This checklist covers everything from prerequisites to going live. Work through it top to bottom and you will have a complete automation setup in under 30 minutes.

Pre-Setup Checklist

Instagram Professional account — Switch from Personal to Creator or Business in Settings > Account > Switch to Professional Account (free, takes 30 seconds)
Active Instagram account — Your account must be in good standing, not restricted or suspended
Content to promote — At least one resource, link, or offer you want to deliver via DM
Keywords planned — Write down 3-5 keywords you want to use as triggers

Account Setup

Create a Creatoro account at app.creatoro.io
Connect your Instagram account via Instagram Login (no Facebook Page needed)
Verify the connection — Your Instagram handle should show as connected in the dashboard

Comment-to-DM Automation

This is the most popular automation type. Set it up first.

Choose your keyword — Pick one simple, specific word (e.g., "link", "guide", "free")
Write the DM message — Use {first_name} for personalization, keep it under 4 lines
Include your link — Double-check the URL works and leads to the right page
Set up a public reply (optional but recommended) — Something like "Sent to your DMs!"
Test with a second account — Comment the keyword on one of your posts to verify the DM arrives
Activate the automation

Learn more about comment-to-DM →

DM Keyword Automation

Auto-reply to messages in your inbox based on keywords.

List your top 5 FAQ questions — Go through your recent DMs and note the repeating ones
Map each question to a keyword — "pricing", "hours", "shipping", "apply", etc.
Write a response for each keyword — Short, helpful, with a link or next step
Test each keyword — Send the keyword from a second account
Activate all keyword automations

Learn more about DM keywords →

Story Reply Automation

Auto-reply when someone responds to your Instagram story.

Write a story reply DM — Warm, conversational, with a CTA or link
Choose whether to apply to all stories or specific ones
Test it — Reply to your own story from a second account
Activate

Learn more about story reply →

Story Mention Automation (Creator and Studio Plans)

Auto-DM people who tag you in their stories.

Write a thank-you DM — Acknowledge the mention and offer something in return
Include a bonus — A discount code, free resource, or exclusive content makes the response feel special
Activate

Learn more about story mentions →

Follow-to-Unlock

Gate content behind a follow to grow your audience.

Choose your gated resource — A PDF, template, discount code, or link
Create the follow gate in Creatoro
Get your shareable link
Add the link to your bio, stories, or Reel descriptions
Test the flow from an unfollowed account

Learn more about follow-to-unlock →

Comment Moderation (Creator and Studio Plans)

Auto-hide or delete unwanted comments.

List unwanted keywords — Spam words, competitor names, offensive terms
Choose hide or delete for each rule
Activate the rules

Learn more about comment moderation →

Post-Setup Checklist

Schedule your first post or Reel with a comment keyword CTA
Verify all automations are active in your Creatoro dashboard
Test the full flow — Comment on your post, check the DM, click the link
Tell your audience — Mention the keyword in your next story or post

Ongoing Maintenance

Check link health monthly — Make sure all automated links still work
Review DM performance weekly — Which keywords are converting?
Update messages seasonally — Refresh your DM copy to prevent staleness
Add new keywords as you create new content and offers

Get Started

Work through this checklist from top to bottom and you will have a complete Instagram automation setup in under 30 minutes.

Start Free with Creatoro

Instagram Automation Checklist: Everything to Set Up