How to set up an Instagram DM auto reply with keywords
Updated
Quick answer
To set up an Instagram DM auto reply, open Automations → Rules in LUME Hub, click Nova regra (New rule), choose the DMs-only trigger, pick a match mode (contains, exact or starts with), list your keywords, write the DM reply and click Salvar (Save). Any message with a keyword gets that reply instantly.
An Instagram DM auto reply answers repeat questions without you opening your phone: anyone who sends "price", "hours" or "address" gets the right answer right away. In LUME Hub this is a keyword rule on the Rules screen of the Automations app (Complete plan). If Instagram isn't connected yet, start with how to connect Instagram to LUME Hub.
The automation screens currently show their labels in Portuguese, so each label is quoted as it appears, followed by its meaning.
Before you start
- The Instagram account must be a professional account (Creator or Business) and connected under Automations → Connections.
- In the Instagram app, turn on Settings → Messages and story replies → Message controls → Allow access to messages. Without it, DM replies are not delivered.
Step by step
- Open Automações → Regras (Automations → Rules) and click Nova regra ("New rule").
- In Nome ("Name"), label the rule, for example "Price".
- In Gatilho ("Trigger"), choose Só DM ("DMs only"). If the same question also shows up in comments, choose DM e comentário ("DMs and comments").
- In Como casar ("How to match"), pick the mode (see the table below). The default is Contém ("Contains").
- In Palavras-chave (separadas por vírgula) ("Keywords, comma-separated"), list the ways people ask, such as "price, pricing, how much, cost".
- In Resposta por DM ("DM reply"), write the full answer. Optionally add up to 3 link buttons under Botões de link no DM (opcional) ("Link buttons in the DM").
- In Prioridade ("Priority"), keep 0 or enter a higher number so this rule wins over others that also match.
- Make sure Ativa ("Active") is on and click Salvar ("Save"). You'll see "Regra salva ✓" ("Rule saved") and the rule appears in the list.
The three match modes
| Mode on screen | Replies when | Example with the keyword "price" |
|---|---|---|
| Contém (Contains) | the message has the word anywhere | "what's the price of the course?" gets a reply |
| Exato (Exact) | the message is only the word | only "price" gets a reply |
| Começa com (Starts with) | the message starts with the word | "price of the course?" gets a reply; "what's the price?" doesn't |
In every mode, upper and lower case don't matter, but accents do. "Price" and "PRICE" match; "café" won't match a keyword written "cafe" unless you list both.
Priority between rules
When more than one active rule matches the same message, only the one with the highest Prioridade replies. Use it for specific answers: a "coaching price" rule with priority 10 beats a general "price" rule with priority 0.
If no rule matches, the message gets no reply, unless the backup AI is on. See how to turn on AI replies for Instagram DMs.
How to edit, pause or delete a rule
- Edit: click the rule's edit icon. The "Editar regra" ("Edit rule") window opens with the same fields.
- Pause: turn off the rule's switch in the list. It gets a "pausada" ("paused") tag and stops replying.
- Delete: click the trash icon and confirm "Excluir esta regra?" ("Delete this rule?"). Past replies stay in History.
To see what was answered, open the automation history.
Frequently asked questions
Are keywords case-sensitive or accent-sensitive?
Not case-sensitive: the Hub compares everything in lowercase. Accent-sensitive, yes: “café” does not match “cafe”. Add both spellings to the keyword list.
What if two rules match the same message?
Only the rule with the highest Priority number replies. The other rules are skipped for that message.
How do I pause an auto reply without deleting it?
Turn off the switch next to the rule in the list, or turn off Active inside it. The rule gets a “pausada” (paused) tag and stops replying until you turn it back on.
Do I need to change anything in Instagram?
Yes. The account must be a professional account, and in the Instagram app “Allow access to messages” must be on under Settings → Messages and story replies → Message controls.
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