“Comment GUIDE and I'll DM you the link” is one of the simplest ways to turn a post into conversations. Here's what happens behind the scenes, and how to set it up.
What happens, step by step
- Someone comments your keyword on a post or Reel.
- A short public reply appears under their comment, so others see you answer.
- They get a private message from you, usually within seconds.
- When they reply, they receive your link as a card with a button.
Before you start
- Your Instagram account needs to be a Business or Creator account.
- Pick one short, clear keyword per post: GUIDE, LINK, SHOP, MENU.
- Say the keyword in your caption and on screen in the Reel.
Wording that works
Keep the first DM short and give a reason to reply, because Instagram only allows plain text there: “Hey! Here's the guide you asked for. Reply YES and it's yours.” Then make the link card say exactly what they get: “Your free guide ✨ · Get the guide”.
Tip: Ask a question in the first DM. A reply from them opens the 24-hour window, so you can send the link and any follow-up.
Good to know
- Each comment can get one private reply, within 7 days of the comment.
- Comments on old posts still work, as long as the comment itself is less than 7 days old.
- Comments made during an Instagram Live can only be answered while the Live is running.
Set it up with DMFast
Connect your Instagram, pick a template (or start from scratch), choose the post and the keyword, and turn it on. The live phone preview shows exactly what your follower will see before anything goes out.