- Story replies are the warmest DMs you get, and the story is gone in 24 hours.
- You can answer every reply, or only replies with a keyword.
- Mentions are a free chance to thank people who share you.
- A short pause before replying reads more like a person.
Why story replies matter
Someone who replies to a story has already started a conversation with you. Answer quickly and you get a real chat, often a sale or a lead. Answer the next day and the story they replied to is gone.
Mentions are the same idea from the other side: someone shared you with their followers. A thank-you, maybe with a small perk, is the easiest way to make them do it again.
Set it up in three steps
1. Pick replies or mentions
Story replies are people answering your story. Mentions are people tagging you in theirs. They’re separate automations, and most creators use both.
2. Choose who gets an answer
Reply to everyone, or only to people who use a keyword like LINK in their reply. Everyone works well when you’re asking a question in the story; a keyword works better when you’re giving something away.
3. Write the message
A thank-you, a link button, or a discount code. DMChat waits a few seconds before sending, so it doesn’t feel instant and robotic.
Message ideas
- Story poll: “Thanks for voting! Here’s the full breakdown 👇”
- Product story: “Glad you like it! Here’s the link, plus 10% off: STORY10”
- Question sticker: “Thanks for asking! I’ll answer this in tomorrow’s story.”
- Mention: “You’re the best for sharing this 💛 Here’s something just for you.”
Mistakes to avoid
- Sending a sales pitch to every mention. Lead with thanks.
- Replying to everyone with a link when they were just saying hi. Use a keyword for giveaways.
- Forgetting to read the replies yourself. The automation answers first; you can still jump in.
Questions
Can I auto reply to Instagram story replies?
Yes, with a tool on Meta’s official API. DMChat answers story replies and mentions on every plan, including free.
Do story automations work after the story expires?
They answer replies that arrive while the story is up. Once it expires there’s nothing new to reply to, and the conversations you started stay in your inbox.
Will it thank everyone who mentions me?
Yes. A mention automation sends your message to everyone who tags you in their story.