Your Instagram DMs are probably full of the same questions: "What is your pricing?", "Do you ship internationally?", "Where can I find the link?"
DM keyword automation handles these automatically. When a follower sends a message containing a specific keyword, they get an instant reply — no manual typing needed.
How DM Keyword Automation Works
The setup is simple:
- You define a keyword (like "pricing", "hours", or "link").
- You write the response message.
- When someone sends a DM containing that keyword, they get your response instantly.
This runs 24/7. Whether you are sleeping, filming, or on vacation, your followers get answers immediately.
What You Can Build
FAQ Bot
Automate answers to your top 5 questions. Map each question to a keyword:
- "pricing" → Your pricing breakdown
- "hours" → Your availability or office hours
- "shipping" → Your shipping policy
- "returns" → Your return process
- "apply" → How to apply or sign up
Sales Funnel
Send targeted links based on interest:
- "course" → Link to your course landing page
- "coaching" → Link to book a discovery call
- "shop" → Link to your product page
Content Delivery
Deliver resources on demand:
- "checklist" → A free download link
- "template" → Access to your template
- "replay" → Link to a webinar replay
Step-by-Step Setup in Creatoro
Step 1: Go to Automations
Log in to Creatoro, click on Automations, and create a new automation. Select the DM Keyword blueprint.
Step 2: Set Your Keyword
Enter the keyword that triggers the reply. Keep it to one or two words. Add variations if needed (for example, both "price" and "pricing").
Step 3: Write the Response
Write the message the person will receive. Use {first_name} for personalization.
Example:
Hey ! Here is our pricing:
Free Plan — $0/month (1,000 DMs) Creator — $15/month (10,000 DMs) Studio — $39/month (30,000 DMs)
Sign up here: [your-link]
Step 4: Activate
Turn on the automation. It is now active for every DM your account receives.
Best Practices
Map Your Top Questions First
Before setting up keywords, go through your last 50 DMs. Write down every question that appeared more than once. Those are your first keywords.
Keep Responses Short and Actionable
People want quick answers, not paragraphs. Include:
- The answer to their question
- One clear link or next step
- A friendly sign-off
Combine With Comment-to-DM
DM keyword automation and comment-to-DM automation work well together. Use comment keywords to start conversations and DM keywords to handle follow-up questions inside the thread.
Do Not Over-Automate
Only automate responses to genuine FAQs. If someone asks a nuanced personal question, they expect a real reply. Use automation for the repetitive stuff so you have more time for the conversations that matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have multiple keywords active at once? Yes. You can set up as many keywords as you need. Each one maps to its own response.
What happens if a DM matches two keywords? The first matching keyword triggers. Order your keywords from most specific to least specific.
Does this work with voice messages or images? No, keyword automation only matches text messages.
Is DM keyword automation free? Yes. It is available on all Creatoro plans, including Free.
What to Read Next
- DM Keyword Automation Feature Page
- How to Set Up Comment-to-DM Automation
- Instagram Comment Automation: How to Turn Comments Into DM Conversations
Get Started
DM keyword automation turns your inbox into a 24/7 assistant. Set it up once and let it handle the questions you answer every day.