> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://fliqr.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Automate Instagram DMs and engagement with Fliqr AI

> Connect an Instagram Professional account to Fliqr AI and automate DMs, story replies, story mentions, comments, conversation starters, and the persistent menu.

Instagram is a high-intent channel. People who DM your brand, reply to a Story, or comment on a post are already engaging. Connect your Instagram Professional account to Fliqr AI to respond automatically with flows and AI Agents.

## Prerequisites

* An **Instagram Professional** account (Business or Creator)
* That account **linked to a Facebook Page** you admin
* Permission to connect Instagram messaging tools in Meta
* A Fliqr AI workspace at [app.fliqr.ai](https://app.fliqr.ai)

<Note>
  Personal Instagram accounts cannot use Instagram messaging automation. Convert to a Professional account and link a Facebook Page first.
</Note>

## Connect Instagram

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open channel settings">
    In Fliqr AI, go to **Settings → Channels → Instagram**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect with Facebook">
    Click **Connect with Facebook** and complete the Meta OAuth dialog.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your Instagram account">
    Choose the Instagram Professional account linked to your Facebook Page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Grant messaging permissions">
    Approve the Instagram messaging permissions Meta requests so Fliqr AI can receive and send DMs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable connected tools">
    In Instagram message controls, allow connected tools / inbox access so Fliqr AI can manage conversations.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test">
    Send a DM from a personal Instagram account and confirm it appears in the Fliqr AI inbox.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Build Instagram flows

Flow building is the same across channels. Prefer the **Omnichannel** message type so one flow can serve Instagram alongside other channels when the content allows it.

Publish the flow before you attach it to story, mention, comment, conversation starter, or menu automations.

## What you can automate

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Story replies" icon="clapperboard" href="/docs/channels/instagram/story-replies">
    Auto-reply when someone replies to your Instagram Story.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Story mentions" icon="at" href="/docs/channels/instagram/story-mentions">
    Respond when someone mentions your account in their Story.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Comment automation" icon="comments" href="/docs/channels/instagram/comment-automation">
    Public and private replies when people comment on posts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI comment replies" icon="robot" href="/docs/channels/instagram/ai-comment-replies">
    Let an AI Agent draft public and private comment replies.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Conversation starters" icon="message" href="/docs/channels/instagram/conversation-starters">
    Show FAQ-style prompts when someone opens a new DM.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Persistent menu" icon="bars" href="/docs/channels/instagram/persistent-menu">
    Keep top-level actions available throughout the chat.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Supported message types

| Type                      | Direction            | Notes                      |
| ------------------------- | -------------------- | -------------------------- |
| Text                      | Inbound and outbound | Standard DMs               |
| Images                    | Inbound and outbound | Media attachments          |
| Quick replies             | Outbound             | Suggestion chips           |
| Cards / generic templates | Outbound             | Title, image, buttons      |
| Story replies             | Inbound              | Arrive as DMs              |
| Story mentions            | Inbound              | Trigger mention automation |
| Conversation starters     | Outbound greeting    | Shown on first open        |

## Important limits

<Warning>
  **24-hour messaging window.** You can message a user for 24 hours after their last inbound message. Instagram has no WhatsApp-style template system for cold outreach.

  **No cold DMs.** You cannot start a DM with someone who has not messaged you first.

  **Group threads are unsupported.** Conversations with more than two participants are not handled.

  **Comment automation on ads.** Instagram comment automation does not run on Instagram Ads placements in the same way as organic posts. Validate on organic posts first.
</Warning>

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Flows" icon="diagram-project" href="/docs/core-concepts/flows">
    Build the flows you attach to Instagram triggers.
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI Agents" icon="robot" href="/docs/core-concepts/ai-agents">
    Handle open-ended Instagram DMs with an AI Agent.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Messenger" icon="facebook-messenger" href="/docs/channels/messenger">
    Messenger shares Meta Page infrastructure with Instagram.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Human handover" icon="inbox" href="/docs/core-concepts/ai-agents/human-handover">
    Move Instagram conversations to a live agent in the inbox.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>