Instagram DM automation, defined
The terms you meet when choosing or running a comment-to-DM tool, each in one sentence first, with Meta's own rules linked where they apply.
24-hour messaging window
The 24-hour messaging window is the period after a person messages an Instagram account in which the account may reply; outside it, standard messages are not allowed.
Active contact
An active contact is ManyChat's billing unit: anyone who sends or receives a message through your account during the billing cycle counts toward your plan.
Comment-to-DM automation
Comment-to-DM automation sends an automatic Instagram direct message to anyone who comments a chosen keyword on a post or Reel.
Follow gate
A follow gate holds back the reward in an automated Instagram DM until the person follows the account, so each comment can become a new follower.
Keyword trigger
A keyword trigger is the word that starts an Instagram automation when someone types it in a comment, a Story reply or a DM, such as GUIDE or LINK.
Per-campaign pricing
Per-campaign pricing charges once for each Instagram automation campaign, with nothing billed in months when no campaign runs.
Private reply
A private reply is the single DM Meta lets a Professional Instagram account send to someone who commented on its post, Reel or Live, within 7 days of the comment.
Referral loop
A referral loop gives every campaign participant a personal link and rewards them with a bonus when friends join through it, so participants recruit participants.
See the terms in a real campaign
Set a keyword, add a follow gate, launch. Pay once per campaign, never monthly.