Instagram messaging API
Meta's official way for software to answer Instagram DMs, story replies and comments on a professional account.
The Instagram messaging API is the Instagram cousin of the WhatsApp Business Platform. It lets approved software read and answer DMs, story replies and mentions, and reply privately to comments on the account's own posts. It needs a professional Instagram account linked to a Facebook Page, and Meta reviews the software once.
Unlike WhatsApp, Instagram has no paid message templates. Free replies are allowed for 24 hours after the customer's last message, a human can answer for up to 7 days, and nothing can be started by the business after that. That is why Dunnflow moves bookings from Instagram to WhatsApp.
Why it matters
It is the only safe way to automate Instagram replies; tools that log in with your password break Meta's rules and can lose you the account.
Related terms
- WhatsApp Business Platform (Cloud API)Meta's official way for software to send and receive WhatsApp messages on a business number.
- Quick reply (Instagram)A tappable chip under an Instagram DM, up to 13 per message, 20 characters each.
- Human agent window (7 days)On Instagram, a person may reply to a customer for up to 7 days after the customer's last message, beyond the 24-hour automated window.
- 24-hour windowThe period after a customer's message in which the business may reply freely without a template.
All 29 terms · Dunnflow sets all of this up on your own number. Try it in your browser