Meta Business Suite has free auto replies for Instagram. Open Inbox, click Automations, then Create automation, and pick Auto reply, Away message, FAQs or Comment to message. Keyword and comment automations work only on desktop, and keyword replies wait 15 minutes unless you answer first. For instant comment-to-DM with a follow gate or lead capture, add a tool like likecmtshare.
How to set up auto reply in Meta Business Suite
- Open Meta Business Suite on a computer. Pick the right business portfolio in the menu at the top left.
- Go to Inbox. Then click Automations.
- Click Create automation. It's in the top right.
- Choose a template. Such as Auto reply, Away message or Comment to message.
- Tick Instagram. Choose it as the channel and write your message.
- Turn it on. Use the Status toggle. A new automation can take a few minutes to appear.
Inbox automations work for Instagram business accounts connected to Meta Business Suite.
Every automation, explained
| Automation | What it does |
|---|---|
| Auto reply | Greets someone the first time they message you |
| Away message | Replies when you're not available |
| Frequently asked questions | Suggests questions people can ask, with your answers |
| Location, contact information, hours | Answers those common questions |
| Custom keywords | Replies to DMs that contain your keywords. Desktop only |
| Comment to message | Sends a DM when a comment contains your keywords or phrases. Desktop only |
| Start from scratch | Your own conditions, such as a new message, and actions, such as send a message or add a label |
Some automations aren't available on every channel.
Limits to know before you rely on it
- Exact match only. Keywords are case-sensitive, so "Price" won't trigger a "PRICE" automation.
- A 15-minute wait. Keyword replies go out after 15 minutes unless you reply first.
- Up to 5 keywords per automation, and each keyword can be used in only one automation.
- Templates win. If your away message is on and a keyword matches, the away message is sent, not the keyword reply.
- Desktop only for keyword and comment to message automations.
- Meta Business Agent pauses them. Turning it on pauses your away message and auto replies.
Auto reply not working? Check these
- The message doesn't match your keyword's spelling and capitals exactly.
- Your away message is on and took priority.
- You're still inside the 15-minute wait.
- Meta Business Agent is turned on.
- The wrong business portfolio is selected.
- The automation is new: wait a few minutes and refresh.
Is Meta enough, or do you need more?
Meta Business Suite is enough if…
- You want a greeting and an away message
- People mostly ask your hours, location or prices in DMs
- You get a few comments a day, and a reply within 15 minutes is fine
Use likecmtshare if…
- Your reels get hundreds of comments and each needs a DM in under a second
- You want story replies and Live comments answered too
- You want people to follow you before they get the link
- You want phone numbers and emails saved as leads
Meta Business Suite vs likecmtshare
| Meta Business Suite | likecmtshare | |
|---|---|---|
| Comment to DM | Yes, set up on desktop | Yes, on reels and posts |
| DM keyword reply speed | After 15 minutes unless you reply first | Under a second |
| Keyword matching | Exact and case-sensitive only | Smart keyword match, or exact letters if you want them |
| Story replies and Live comments | Not in Meta's list | Yes |
| Public reply under the comment | Not in Meta's list | Yes (Pro) |
| Follow gate | Not in Meta's list | Yes |
| Collect phone numbers and emails | Not in Meta's list | Yes, saved to a leads list |
| Away message and business hours | Yes | No, keep Meta's for this |
| Price | Free | Free for 1,000 DMs a month, then from ₹449/month |
Sources: Meta Business Help Centre, Set up Inbox automations on desktop and About Inbox automations. Checked 25 October 2026.
FAQ
Is Meta Business Suite auto reply free?
Yes. Inbox automations are free for Instagram business accounts connected to Meta Business Suite.
Can Meta Business Suite reply to Instagram comments?
Yes. The Comment to message automation sends a DM when a comment contains your keywords or phrases. You set it up on desktop. It doesn't add a follow gate or save the person as a lead.
Can I set up auto reply from my phone?
Keyword and comment to message automations are desktop only, so set those up on a computer.
Why is my Meta Business Suite auto reply not sending?
Check that the message matches your keyword exactly, including capitals; that your away message isn't taking priority; that the 15-minute wait has passed; that Meta Business Agent is off; and that the right business portfolio is selected. New automations can take a few minutes to appear.
Is Meta Business Suite better than a tool like ManyChat?
For greetings, away messages and common questions, Meta's free automations are enough. For instant DMs to hundreds of reel comments, story replies, follow gates and lead capture, a tool does more. likecmtshare is the India-priced option, with a free plan and paid plans from ₹449 a month.
Try it free
likecmtshare passed Meta App Review, has a free plan with 1,000 DMs, UPI billing and takes about a minute to set up.
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