Writing the message

Each channel you switch on needs a message. A comment automation can have two: the public reply and the DM.

Use their name

Write {{username}} anywhere in your message and it is replaced with the Instagram username of the person who contacted you.

If their username is not available, it becomes there, so "Hi {{username}}" always reads correctly rather than leaving a gap.

Length

Messages can be up to 1000 characters. Instagram applies the same limit to direct messages.

Public replies are public

A public reply appears under the person's comment where all your followers can read it. Write it for that audience, not just for them. Anything personal belongs in the DM instead.

On the Free plan, a line is added to automated DMs

Automated DMs sent from a Free account end with a short line mentioning dmrabbit. Three things to know:

• It is only on automated DMs. Public comment replies never carry it, and neither does a message you type yourself in the inbox.
• It is dropped rather than cutting your message short if adding it would go over the length limit.
• It is removed entirely on Starter, where your message is sent exactly as written.

Empty messages are not sent

If a message ends up empty, the automation skips it rather than sending a blank reply.