Every Story reply becomes an automatic DM
Post a Story, invite a reply - "DM me PRICE", "reply LINK" - and IGMsg answers every responder with your message, link, and a tappable button in seconds. Story replies are your warmest leads; never leave one on read again.
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Official Meta API
What is Instagram Story automation?
Instagram Story automation automatically sends a direct message to anyone who replies to your Instagram Story. When a follower answers your story - a poll, a question sticker, or a plain text reply - IGMsg matches it against your keywords (or responds to every reply) and instantly DMs them your link, code, or message through Instagram's official Messaging API.
Stories disappear in 24 hours, which makes every reply urgent and high-intent. Yet most replies sit unread until the Story is long gone. Story automation closes that gap: you set it up once, post a Story that invites a reply, and every responder is messaged, captured, and tracked automatically. It pairs naturally with comment-to-DM automation so you cover both your feed and your Stories.
How It Works
From Story reply to DM in four steps
Connect Instagram
One-click, password-free OAuth connect for your Instagram Business or Creator account.
Create a Story automation
Set trigger keywords like "PRICE" or "LINK" - or switch on "respond to any reply" to answer everyone.
Write your DM
Add your message with the @username variable, a link, and a tappable button. Add variants to stay natural.
Post a Story & relax
Invite a reply in your Story. Every matching reply triggers an instant DM. Track it all from your dashboard.
Comments vs Stories
Which automation should you use?
They solve different moments - most creators run both. Here's how they compare.
| Comment-to-DM | Story automation | |
|---|---|---|
| Triggers on | Comments on posts, Reels & Lives | Replies to your Stories |
| Best for | Evergreen posts & viral Reels | Launches, polls & 24-hour offers |
| Lead temperature | Warm - public interest | Hot - a 1:1 conversation already started |
| Lifespan | As long as the post is live | The 24 hours your Story is up |
| Trigger options | Exact / contains / any comment | Keyword match or any reply |
Want the feed side too? See Instagram comment-to-DM automation.
Use Cases
What to automate from a Story
Stories are made for prompts. Add a sticker or a "reply X" call-to-action and let the DMs flow.
Sell from a Story
"Reply PRICE for the details" - DM the product, price, and shop link to everyone who taps back.
Send any link
"Reply LINK and I'll send it" - skip the swipe-up debate and DM the URL directly to repliers.
Convert poll & question stickers
Run a poll or question sticker, then DM everyone who engaged with the next step or resource.
Run launches & waitlists
"Reply EARLY for first access" - build a hot launch list from a 24-hour Story and DM the link.
Book calls & sessions
"Reply CALL to book" - send your Calendly to people the moment they raise their hand.
Answer every single reply
Switch on "respond to any reply" so every Story DM gets an instant, on-brand response - no keyword needed.
Features
Everything your Story replies need
Keyword or any-reply
Trigger on specific words like "PRICE", or respond to every Story reply - your choice per automation.
Tappable link buttons
Attach a CTA button (title + URL) to each DM so repliers reach your page in one tap.
Message variants
Add multiple variations; IGMsg rotates them so a popular Story never sends the same line twice.
Automatic dedup
Each person gets one DM per automation even if they reply to your Story several times.
Dynamic personalization
Use @{{username}} to greet every replier by their Instagram handle.
Multi-account support
Run Story automations across multiple connected accounts from a single dashboard.
Real-time analytics
Track DMs sent, clicks, and replies per Story automation. Export to CSV anytime.
Official Messaging API
Replies are sent inside Meta's sanctioned messaging window - no bots, no password sharing.
Works with comments too
Pair Story automations with comment-to-DM so your whole account is covered.
Story automation questions
Instagram Story automation automatically sends a direct message to anyone who replies to your Instagram Story. When a follower answers your story - a poll, a question sticker, or a plain text reply - IGMsg matches it against your keywords (or responds to every reply) and instantly DMs them your link, code, or message through Instagram's official Messaging API.
Comment automation triggers when someone comments on a feed post, Reel, or Live. Story automation triggers when someone replies to your Story. Stories vanish in 24 hours, so they create urgency and very warm, conversational replies - ideal for launches, polls, and time-limited offers. Many users run both side by side.
Yes. When someone replies to your Story they start a conversation, which opens a standard messaging window under Meta's rules. IGMsg answers inside that window using Instagram's official Messaging API - no bots, no password sharing, no scraping - so your account stays fully compliant.
Both. Set specific keywords (exact or contains match) so only "PRICE" or "LINK" triggers a DM, or switch on "respond to any reply" so every single Story reply gets your automated message.
Under 3 seconds. Instagram delivers the Story reply to IGMsg by webhook almost instantly, and we send your DM right after checking your keyword and deduplication rules.
Yes. Story-reply DMs support text, emojis, the @username variable, and a tappable call-to-action button (title + URL) - perfect for sending a shop link, booking page, or download.
No. IGMsg deduplicates per automation, so each person receives one DM even if they reply to your Story several times.
Story automation is available to all plans, including the free Starter plan. It's currently in Beta, so we're actively expanding it - no credit card required to try it.
Never leave a Story reply on read
Free forever plan · No credit card · First automation live in 2 minutes