TikTok automatic messages: welcome messages and keyword replies

TikTok says these features are available to TikTok accounts with Advanced Access and to Verified Business Accounts, not to general TikTok accounts.

Sources: TikTok Business Help Center: About automatic messages for TikTok accounts, checked 15 October 2026; TikTok Business Help Center: How to set up automatic messages in the TikTok app, checked 15 October 2026

Each automatic message is set up differently, but they're all switched on in the same place:

1. Open the TikTok app and go to your Profile.
2. Tap the menu icon in the top-right corner.
3. Tap Business suite.
4. Select Message center.
5. Toggle on Welcome message, Keyword reply, Suggested questions and Chat prompts as needed.

• Receiving messages from Everyone must be on in Settings and privacy. TikTok prompts you to turn it on if it isn't.

Source: TikTok Business Help Center: How to set up automatic messages in the TikTok app, checked 15 October 2026

A useful welcome message says who you are, when you reply, and where to find prices or bookings, so people aren't left waiting with no answer.

1. Go to Profile, tap the menu icon, then Business suite and Message center.
2. Tap Welcome message and toggle it on.
3. Write your message, up to 250 characters.
4. Tap Submit to send it for review.

Source: TikTok Business Help Center: How to set up automatic messages in the TikTok app, checked 15 October 2026

Keyword replies answer common questions such as prices or opening hours without you being online. TikTok's steps:

1. In Message center, tap Keyword reply and toggle it on.
2. Tap Create new.
3. Enter a keyword (up to 40 characters) and its reply (up to 500).
4. Tap Submit to send it for review.

• Keyword replies need an exact match of your keyword, so add each variation people actually use, such as price, prices and booking.
• Suggested questions: in Message center, tap Suggested questions, toggle it on, tap Create new or pick a default question, add the question and answer, and submit.
• Chat prompts: tap Chat prompts, toggle it on, tap Add new, enter a prompt name and message, and submit.

Sources: TikTok Business Help Center: How to set up automatic messages in the TikTok app, checked 15 October 2026; TikTok Business Help Center: About automatic messages for TikTok accounts, checked 15 October 2026

Yes, in TikTok Business Center. Your account must be integrated with Business Center, which TikTok says requires a Verified Business Account, and DMs must be open to everyone (Settings and privacy, Privacy, Direct messages, Everyone).

1. In Business Center, open the Automatic messaging settings for your linked account. TikTok's guide doesn't spell out the exact menu path.
2. Under Welcome message, Keyword reply, Suggested questions or Chat prompts, click Edit.
3. Write the message, check the mobile preview, and click Save.
4. Turn on the switch next to it, or it won't send.

Sources: TikTok Business Help Center: How to set up automatic messages in Business Center, checked 15 October 2026; TikTok Business Help Center: How to link an existing TikTok account in Business Center, checked 15 October 2026

Check these, in this order:

• Account type: general TikTok accounts can't use automatic messages.
• DM settings: messages must be allowed from Everyone.
• Switched off: each message type has its own toggle.
• Still in review: the app page says approval takes 1 to 5 business days, and the Business Center page says about 1 to 5 days. You get an in-app notification, and Message center shows the status.
• Edited recently: you can't edit during review, and any edit sends the message back through review.
• Keyword didn't match: keyword replies need an exact match.

Sources: TikTok Business Help Center: How to set up automatic messages in the TikTok app, checked 15 October 2026; TikTok Business Help Center: How to set up automatic messages in Business Center, checked 15 October 2026; TikTok Business Help Center: About automatic messages for TikTok accounts, checked 15 October 2026

Zolyp, which publishes this guide, is an AI social media manager: it plans, writes, designs and schedules posts for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Business, X, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and Threads, and you approve the week before anything goes out. Direct messages are handled in TikTok. Each post can end with a clear call to message you, and automatic replies make sure people get an answer straight away.