How To Set Up Auto Reply on Instagram
In addition to Facebook and WhatsApp, Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms that has been acquired by Meta Inc. Over time, Instagram has evolved with numerous updates, transforming into a vibrant social network that captivates millions of users worldwide. Its appeal has also made it an excellent platform for brands to effectively promote their offerings.
In this article, we will explore the concept of auto-reply on Instagram, its benefits for brands, and the process of setting up automatic messages on the platform. So, without any delay, let’s delve into the details!
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What Are Automatic Messages on Instagram?
Whether you’re new to the marketing world or an experienced professional, you understand the significance of a prompt response in ensuring customer satisfaction. However, it’s not feasible to be available 24/7 on Instagram unless you have a dedicated customer support team working in shifts.
This is where auto-reply functionality comes to the rescue, allowing brands to be available whenever a client has a question or requires more information about their products and services. Auto-replies are pre-set messages that can greet customers when they initiate a conversation, ensuring timely responses even when you are offline.
There are two types of auto-reply on Instagram: Instant Reply and Away Message, each serving specific purposes. Here are some key benefits of using automatic messages:
- Ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Reducing labor costs by eliminating the need to hire staff for night shifts or different time zones.
- Increasing conversion rates.
- Building long-term relationships with customers.
To leverage these benefits, it is highly recommended to utilize both Instant Reply and Away Message features.
In the following sections, we will provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to set up auto-reply on Instagram. So, let’s continue scrolling and explore the process together!
Step #1: Switch Your Instagram Account Status to “Professional”
Instagram offers two types of accounts: Personal and Professional. To receive messages from customers and set up an auto-reply on Instagram, it is necessary to ensure that your account status is “Professional.” If your account is currently set as “Personal,” it’s time to make the switch. Here’s how:
- Open the Instagram app and log in to your registered account.
- On the Homepage, tap on your profile picture located at the bottom-right corner of the screen. This will take you to your Profile page.
- Next, tap on “Edit Profile” to proceed.
- Look for the option “Switch to Professional Account” and select it.
- Choose a category that accurately represents your business to enhance discoverability for other users.
- Once you’ve made your selection, tap on “Done” and confirm your decision to change your account status.
By switching to a professional account, you’ll gain access to features that will enable you to effectively manage messages and set up auto-replies on Instagram.
Step #2: Create a Facebook Business Page and Link It to Your Instagram Account
If you don’t have a Facebook Business page, follow the steps below. Otherwise, proceed to the second set of instructions in this section.
- Open the Facebook app or website and provide the necessary information to log in to your account.
- On your Facebook Homepage, tap on the three lines icon to access the menu. From the menu, select the “Pages” section. Here, you will find all the pages connected to your Facebook account. Tap on “Create” to create a new page.
- Name your page and select the relevant category(s), similar to when you switched your Instagram account to “Professional.” It is important to follow all the steps suggested by Facebook to complete your page.
- Congratulations! You have successfully created a Facebook Business page. Now, it’s time to connect this newly created page to your Instagram account, which you switched to “Professional” as mentioned earlier.
If you already have a Facebook Business page, follow these steps:
- In the “Pages” section on Facebook, select the page you want to connect with your Instagram account.
- Tap on the “Settings” option by clicking on the “gear” icon located at the top of the screen. Then, choose “Instagram” to proceed.
- Click on “Connect account,” and Facebook will redirect you to the “Confirm Connection” screen. Make sure the “Allow access to Instagram messages in inbox” option is enabled and click “Confirm.”
- You will be redirected to the Instagram login page. Complete the login process, and congratulations! You have successfully connected your Professional Instagram account to your Facebook Business page.
Step #3: Set Up the Auto-Reply on Facebook Business Suite
To set up Instant replies and Away messages, you can use Facebook Business Suite.
- Open a web browser and log in to your Facebook account. Navigate to the “Pages” section on the left side of the screen.
- Click on “Meta Business Suite.”
- Go to the “Inbox” section, where you can view and respond to conversations from both Facebook and Instagram without switching accounts.
- Click on the “Automations” button.
- In the “Automations” screen, you’ll find the “Instant reply” and “Away message” sections. Select “Instant reply” and make sure to check the box for “Instagram.”
- Enter your desired message and preview how it appears in the chat box. Click on “Save changes.”
- Now, navigate to the “Away message” section and repeat the same steps as with the “Instant reply.”
- Once you have completed these steps, your auto-reply should be set up and ready to go. You can now relax knowing that your auto-reply messages will be sent automatically.
Conclusion
Congratulations! We hope you have successfully set up Instant replies and Away messages to improve your response rate on Instagram. In addition to auto-reply, there are many marketing tips and tricks you can explore to grow your business on social media, especially on Instagram.
Feel free to leave a comment and let us know which aspect you would like to enhance next. And don’t forget to continue following us for more valuable insights and updates!