How to set up auto replies on Instagram

Sources: Meta Business Help Centre: About professional features in Instagram Direct professional inbox, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Frequently Asked Questions on Instagram Chats, checked 15 October 2026; Meta Business Help Centre: About Inbox automations in Meta Business Suite Inbox, checked 15 October 2026

Saved replies are for business and creator accounts in the Instagram app. As you type, Instagram may suggest matching saved replies; nothing is sent unless you tap one.

1. In a chat, hold down a message you've sent.
2. Tap More, then Save.
3. Create a keyboard shortcut for the message.
4. To use it, type the shortcut as your message and tap the chat icon that appears.

Source: Meta Business Help Centre: About professional features in Instagram Direct professional inbox, checked 15 October 2026

1. Tap Messages at the bottom.
2. Tap the more actions icon, then Tools.
3. Tap Frequently asked questions.
4. Turn on Show Questions.
5. Under Questions, tap Add Question.
6. Enter the question and an optional automated response, then tap Save.

• You can add up to four questions, and edit or delete them at any time
• When someone picks a question, it lands in Requests. Accept it to reply
• If you haven't set any up, Instagram may show four suggested questions based on your account type
• To turn off suggestions, go to Menu, Business tools and controls, Frequently asked questions
• If your Facebook Page already has FAQs in Messenger, you can import them

Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Set Up Frequently Asked Questions on Chats, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Frequently Asked Questions on Instagram Chats, checked 15 October 2026

Use Meta Business Suite on a computer. Your Instagram business account must be connected to it.

1. Go to Inbox in Meta Business Suite.
2. Click Automations.
3. Click Create automation in the top right.
4. Pick a template, such as Auto reply (a greeting for first-time messages), Away message, Hours or Location.
5. Click Create automation and follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Use the toggle below Status to turn it on or off, or click Edit to change it.

• Check the right business portfolio is selected in the top left first
• A new automation can take a few minutes to appear; refresh the page

Sources: Meta Business Help Centre: Set up Inbox automations in Meta Business Suite on desktop, checked 15 October 2026; Meta Business Help Centre: About Inbox automations in Meta Business Suite Inbox, checked 15 October 2026

Meta's two pages disagree on priority. The overview says that if a template automation (like an away message) and a keyword automation both trigger, only the template reply is sent. The desktop setup page says custom automations are prioritised and sent first. Test with a second account before relying on either.

Our advice: start with an away message and three or four FAQs covering hours, prices and booking. Answer the rest yourself.

• They're only on Meta Business Suite desktop
• A keyword automation can match up to five keywords or phrases, and must match exactly: keywords are case-sensitive
• Each keyword can only be used in one automation
• Replies can include photos, videos, buttons and links
• Inbox sends a keyword reply after 15 minutes unless you answer first
• Comment to message sends a message reply to comments containing words you choose

Sources: Meta Business Help Centre: About Inbox automations in Meta Business Suite Inbox, checked 15 October 2026; Meta Business Help Centre: Set up Inbox automations in Meta Business Suite on desktop, checked 15 October 2026

• You can't see FAQ replies. They arrive in Requests; accept them to reply
• No saved replies or FAQs. Switch to a business or creator account
• Automations stopped. Turning on Meta Business Agent pauses away messages and instant replies
• Business Suite can't find your account. Connect your Instagram business account and pick the right business portfolio
• A keyword didn't trigger. Keywords are case-sensitive and must match exactly
• You're in Europe or Japan. Meta says some organic messaging features for businesses there are unavailable

Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Frequently Asked Questions on Instagram Chats, checked 15 October 2026; Meta Business Help Centre: About Inbox automations in Meta Business Suite Inbox, checked 15 October 2026; Meta Business Help Centre: Set up Inbox automations in Meta Business Suite on desktop, checked 15 October 2026

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