What is story reply automation?
Story reply automation sends an automatic DM when someone replies to a business’s Instagram story, often triggered by a keyword in the reply.
Detailed Explanation
Replies to a story land in the business inbox as DMs. Automation can watch these replies for keywords and respond, turning stories into lead capture. A story that says "Reply YES for the checklist" works like a comment-to-DM post, but disappears after 24 hours, which suits limited-time offers.
How It Works Step-by-Step
Post a story with a clear prompt, such as "Reply SALE for early access".
Followers reply to the story, which arrives as a DM.
The automation matches the keyword and sends the link or offer.
Contacts who replied are tagged for follow-up.
How Teams Use This in Production
"A fashion label runs a 24-hour early-access sale only through stories. Everyone who replies "SALE" gets the private link, and the brand sees exactly how many people the story activated."
Why It Matters for Growth & Revenue
Stories reach the most engaged followers. Automating replies captures that intent before the story expires.
Related Glossary Terms
The Instagram 24-hour messaging window is the period after a person last messages, comments on or interacts with a business account during which that business may send them automated or standard replies through Meta’s official API.
A keyword trigger is a word or phrase that, when it appears in a comment, DM or story reply, makes an automation rule send a pre-set response.
Story mention automation automatically sends a DM to anyone who tags a business account in their Instagram story, usually to thank them or share a reward.
Deploy Story Reply Automation on Your Social Accounts
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