Comment-to-DM Automation

ReplyLink's core feature automatically sends direct messages to users who comment on your Instagram posts. This article covers everything you need to know about setting up and optimizing this powerful feature.

Why Convert Comments to DMs?

Moving conversations from public comments to private DMs provides several advantages:

1. **Higher Engagement**: DMs have a 50-70% open rate vs. 1-3% for email

1. **Personalized Interaction**: Create deeper connections with your audience

1. **More Selling Opportunities**: Send offers without public scrutiny

1. **Link Sharing**: Include clickable links (not possible in comments)

1. **Longer Conversations**: Overcome comment character limitations

How Comment-to-DM Works

When someone comments on your Instagram post:

1. ReplyLink detects the comment through Instagram's API

1. The system evaluates if the comment matches your filter criteria

1. If it matches, ReplyLink prepares a personalized message

1. The message is sent to the commenter as a direct message

1. Any replies are tracked in your dashboard

Setting Up Your Automation

Basic Configuration

1. Navigate to **Automations > Create New**

1. Select "Comment-to-DM" as the automation type

1. Choose the **posts to monitor**:

- All posts

- Selected posts only

- Posts with specific hashtags

- Recent posts (last X days)

Filtering Comments

Control which comments trigger messages:

1. **Keyword Filters**

- Contains specific words or phrases

- Doesn't contain certain words

- Matches regex patterns

1. **Comment Length**

- Minimum characters (avoid short comments)

- Maximum characters (focus on detailed comments)

1. **Commenter Attributes**

- Follower status (followers only, non-followers, or both)

- Previous interaction history

- Account age or size

Configuring Messages

1. **Message Templates**

- Create reusable templates for different campaigns

- Use variables to personalize content

- Include tracking links and calls to action

1. **Personalization Options**

- {{first_name}} - Commenter's first name

- {{comment_text}} - The content of their comment

- {{post_caption}} - Your post's caption

- {{post_link}} - Link to the original post

- Custom variables based on triggers or user attributes

1. **Media and Attachments**

- Include images in your messages

- Send PDFs or other resources

- Share carousel posts with multiple images

Timing Controls

Set when messages are sent:

1. **Immediate Delivery**: Send as soon as a comment is detected

1. **Natural Delay**: Add random delay to appear more authentic

1. **Time Window**: Only send during specific hours

1. **Max Per Day**: Limit the number of messages sent daily

Advanced Features

Smart Response Selection

Create multiple message variations for the same trigger:

1. **A/B Testing**: Automatically test different messages to see which performs better

1. **Random Selection**: Randomly choose from multiple templates for variety

1. **Conditional Logic**: Send different messages based on comment content

Follow-up Sequences

Create multi-step conversations based on user actions:

1. **Initial Message**: Sent after the comment

1. **Follow-up 1**: Sent if they open but don't click

1. **Follow-up 2**: Sent if they click but don't convert

1. **Final Message**: Last attempt to engage

Integration with Other Features

Comment-to-DM works seamlessly with other ReplyLink features:

1. **Link Tracking**: Monitor clicks and conversions from your messages

1. **Analytics**: View open rates, response rates, and ROI

1. **CRM Integration**: Sync conversation data with your CRM

1. **Automation Rules**: Create complex multi-step workflows

Best Practices

Message Content

• **Reference their comment**: Show that you're responding to them specifically

• **Provide value**: Offer something useful related to their interest

• **Keep it conversational**: Write as you would normally speak

• **Clear CTA**: Include a specific next step you want them to take

Timing and Frequency

• **Avoid immediate responses**: Add a delay of 3-15 minutes to appear natural

• **Respect time zones**: Set quiet hours based on your audience's location

• **Limit frequency**: Don't send multiple messages to the same user in a short period

• **Monitor response rate**: If engagement drops, reduce frequency

Compliance and Ethics

• **Be transparent**: Don't pretend messages are manually sent if they're not

• **Honor opt-outs**: Add users who request no messages to your exclusion list

• **Provide value**: Every message should offer something useful

• **Stay relevant**: Keep messages related to the comment content

Measuring Success

Track these key metrics to evaluate your automation performance:

1. **Open Rate**: Percentage of messages that are opened

1. **Reply Rate**: Percentage of messages that receive replies

1. **Click-Through Rate**: Percentage of recipients who click your links

1. **Conversion Rate**: Percentage who complete your desired action

1. **ROI**: Revenue generated compared to automation costs

Troubleshooting

Common issues and solutions:

1. **Messages not sending**: Check your Instagram connection status

1. **Low open rates**: Improve your first line to grab attention

1. **No replies**: Ask a question to encourage responses

1. **Account warning**: Reduce message volume and add more variation

By effectively using the Comment-to-DM feature, you can significantly increase engagement, build stronger relationships with your audience, and drive more conversions from your Instagram presence.