Set up Comment Automation

What Comment Automation does

When someone comments on an eligible Instagram post or Reel, ZayDM checks your trigger rules. If the comment matches, ZayDM can start your comment-to-DM workflow.

Depending on configuration, that can include an optional public reply, a private DM flow, an optional Opening Message, an optional Follow Gate, and a Final Response with text, a card, a button link, or an uploaded file.

Want to understand the strategy behind this workflow? Read how Instagram comment-to-DM automation works.

Before you start

You need:

1. A ZayDM account
2. A connected Instagram account that is ready for automations
3. The correct Instagram account selected in the dashboard switcher
4. At least one post or Reel on that account if you plan to limit the automation to specific media

If account health alerts say the connection is not ready, fix that before you expect the automation to run.

Create the automation

1. Open Automations in the dashboard.
2. Confirm the Instagram account in the sidebar switcher.
3. Select New automation.
4. Choose Comment on post or reel.

ZayDM opens the New automation editor. The name defaults to Comment automation. You can rename it in the top bar.

Configure the comment trigger

In the Trigger step:

1. Open Which Post or Reel do you want to use?
2. Choose All posts and reels, or Specific posts or reels and select media.
3. Open What keywords will start your automation?
4. Add keywords, or leave the list empty to match every comment.
5. Choose a Match type.

Comments on posts outside a specific selection do not start this automation.

Choose keyword matching

Match type options:

• Any keyword: the comment contains at least one of your keywords. Useful when both GUIDE and INFO should start the same flow.
• All keywords: every keyword must appear in the comment.
• Exact: the whole comment text must match one configured value after trimming.

Leave keywords empty to match every comment. The editor preview shows this as Any comment.

Keep keywords short and memorable, such as GUIDE, PRICE, MENU, or SHOP.

Configure the response flow

Public comment replies

In the Public Reply step, open What do you want to reply to those comments?

Public replies are optional. If you add replies, ZayDM can post a public reply before the private DM. When several replies are configured, one is chosen at random.

Public Reply is separate from the DM Response Flow. You can use public replies only, a DM response only, or both. Saving requires at least one DM response or one public comment reply.

Opening Message

In Response Flow, turn Opening Message On if you want a first DM before the rest of the flow. It includes message text and a button (default label Continue).

When Opening Message is on:

• the conversation can continue beyond a single private reply block
• the person usually needs to tap the Opening Message button before later steps continue
• Follow Gate becomes available

When Opening Message is Off, Follow Gate is unavailable, and Comment Automation allows only one private reply block.

Follow Gate

Add Follow Gate from Add Response only after Opening Message is on.

Follow Gate asks people to follow your Instagram account before they receive the Final Response. For comments, people tap the access button first. If they still need to follow, they see the gate message, can visit your profile, then confirm they are following. If they already follow, the flow can continue after the required button tap.

You can configure Follow Gate on a draft even when activation requires an eligible plan. The editor then notes that an upgrade is needed to activate it.

Final Response

In Final Response, select Add Response, then choose:

• Text Message: text, optional button label, and a destination (paste a URL or upload a file)
• Card Message: image, text, and button content

This is what people receive after they complete any Opening Message and Follow Gate steps you enabled.

Activate and test

1. Set the top-bar switch to Active.
2. Select Save changes.
3. Fix any validation message before saving again. Common requirements:
   • add a DM response or at least one public comment reply
   • Follow Gate requires Opening Message
   • the selected Instagram account must be connected and ready
4. On an eligible post, leave a real Instagram comment that matches your keyword rules. Prefer another Instagram account when you can.
5. Confirm the public reply if Public Reply is enabled.
6. Open Instagram DMs and complete Opening Message or Follow Gate if those steps are on.
7. Confirm the Final Response arrives.

Delivery can take a moment. Treat a successful end-to-end comment as the real test, not the save confirmation alone.

Common issues

Automation does not trigger

• The comment does not match the selected Match type.
• Keywords are set, but the comment does not include them.
• The comment was posted on a post outside your specific post selection.
• The automation is Inactive, or changes were not saved.
• The wrong Instagram account is selected, or the connection is not ready.
• The automation has neither a DM response nor a public comment reply.

Opening Message appears, but the resource does not arrive

• The person has not tapped the Opening Message button yet.
• Follow Gate is on and follow confirmation is still incomplete.

Follow Gate does not continue

• Opening Message is off, so Follow Gate cannot run.
• The person has not tapped the access or confirm-following buttons.
• Follow Gate is configured on a draft but cannot activate on the current plan.

Public reply missing

• Public Reply has no replies configured.
• Only the private DM path is set up.
• Instagram could not deliver the public reply for that comment.