Create a comment-to-DM automation

In short

In Automations, select New automation and choose DM from comments. Pick your posts, add a trigger word such as LINK, write the DM and add your link, then select Create automation. It goes live straight away and DMs everyone whose comment matches.

Updated 19 October 20262 min read

A comment-to-DM automation sends your DM, with your link, to everyone who comments a chosen word on your post or reel.

Build it#

In Zetrr Automation, open Automations and select New automation.
In Create an automation, choose DM from comments. For a post you haven’t published yet, choose Arm your next post.
Type an Automation name you’ll recognise later.
Under What starts it?, keep Comments on posts & reels selected.
Turn on Any post or reel to cover every post. Or leave it off and pick posts under Pick a post or reel (⌘/Ctrl-click to select several), or choose Next post or reel.
Under Trigger words, type a word like LINK and press Enter.
Under Auto-reply, write your Direct message. Type @ to add the person’s First name or Username.
Select Add link, enter a Button label and the web address, then select Add link again.
Select Create automation.

Your new automation starts Live. The Live preview beside the builder shows the comment and the DM thread as the person will see them.

What the commenter gets#

Instagram allows one private reply to each comment, within 7 days of the comment. With no extra steps, that private reply is your DM with the link.

Each person gets one DM per post, on their first comment, even when two of your automations cover the same post.

Make it your own#

Opening message: a short message with a button; the link arrives after they tap it.
Ask to follow first: only followers get the link. See Ask people to follow before they get the link.
Public comment reply: a reply under their comment as well. See Reply publicly to comments as well.
Send a follow-up: timed messages after the first DM. See Send a follow-up message.
Collect email or phone: ask for a contact before the link. See Collect emails and phone numbers in DMs.
Shared in a DM: when someone sends the post or reel to you in a message, they get the same DM. No keyword is needed.

Good to know#

A DM can be up to 1,000 characters, or 640 with link buttons. You can add up to three link buttons.
Add up to six versions of a message; Zetrr picks one at random each time.
Advanced options has Delay before sending, from 0 to 3,600 seconds.
A new automation doesn’t message people who commented before it went live. To answer them, see Why a DM wasn’t sent.

Questions

Does it work on reels too?

Yes. One automation covers comments on both posts and reels.

What if someone comments twice?

They get one DM per post, on their first comment. A second comment on the same post gets no second DM.

Can I set it up before I post?

Yes. Choose Arm your next post, or Next post or reel, and it attaches to the next post or reel you publish.

Still stuck?

Message the Zetrr team. We reply to every message, usually within one business day.