---
title: AutoDM FAQ
sidebarTitle: FAQ
description: >-
  Answers to common AutoDM questions, including what Instagram does and doesn't
  allow and why a campaign didn't reply.
audience: luminary
feature: autodm
type: faq
availability: beta
last_verified: '2026-10-13'
keywords:
  - autodm not working
  - instagram auto reply not sending
  - instagram dm limits
  - autodm faq
  - follow to get
  - button not showing
url: 'https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/autodm/faq'
---

# AutoDM FAQ

> Answers to common AutoDM questions, including what Instagram does and doesn't allow and why a campaign didn't reply.

Quick answers about [AutoDM](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/autodm). AutoDM is marked Beta in the dashboard.

## Why didn't it reply?

**I commented the keyword and nothing happened**

Your own comments and messages never trigger a campaign. Test from a friend's account.

**A follower commented and got nothing**

Check that the campaign shows Active, not Paused or Setup needed. Check it listens to comments,
and applies to that post (or All posts). Check the keyword is inside their comment. If they
triggered the same campaign in the last 12 hours, it stays quiet on purpose.

**Nothing is replying at all**

Your Instagram access may have lapsed. Open a campaign's Trigger and click Select posts: if Soul
says *"Your Instagram authorization has lapsed"*, reconnect. See [Connect
Instagram](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/autodm/connect-instagram).

**The DM shows as plain text with no button**

Buttons appear on the Instagram mobile app only. On desktop, Instagram may show the message as
plain text.

## What Instagram allows

**Can I DM all my followers at once?**

No. Instagram only lets you message people who commented or messaged you first. Use an
[announcement](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/announcements) for your email list.

**Can I require people to follow me first?**

No. AutoDM doesn't check whether someone follows you. Anyone who comments the keyword gets the
reply.

**Can I put a button or file in the public comment reply?**

No. A comment reply is plain text. Put your link in the DM.

**Does it work with story replies?**

Yes. Set the Trigger source to Direct messages and story replies. See [Reply to DMs and story
replies](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/autodm/reply-to-dms-and-story-replies).

**Does it work with Reels and carousels?**

Yes. Comments on Reels and carousels work like any post, and you can select them under Applies
to.

**Can I use a personal Instagram account?**

No. Only Business or Creator accounts can be connected.

**Can I connect two Instagram accounts?**

No. One account per portal, and an account can only be connected to one portal.

## Campaigns

**Why can't I use the same keyword twice?**

Two active campaigns would both answer the same comment or DM. Use the same keyword only on
campaigns that target different posts and listen to comments only. See [Target specific
posts](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/autodm/target-specific-posts).

**Does case or punctuation matter?**

Case doesn't. The keyword just has to appear somewhere in the text, so *"GUIDE please!"* matches
*guide*.

**Where can I see how many people a campaign reached?**

Campaign results (clicks, leads and revenue) aren't shown in the dashboard yet.

**Can Soul AI set up a campaign for me?**

Yes. Ask [Soul AI](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/soul-ai), for example *"Set up an AutoDM that sends my free guide
to anyone who comments GUIDE."* You can then review it on the Setup tab.

## Related

- [AutoDM for Instagram](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/autodm)
- [Manage campaigns](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/autodm/manage-campaigns)
- [Troubleshooting](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/troubleshooting)