Instagram integration for chatbots

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Instagram is one of our most downloaded integrations for chatbots and AI agents. Connecting a bot to Instagram lets builders automate conversations in Direct Messages and keep up with customers right inside the app.

The integration makes it easy for chatbots to answer FAQs, share product details, and respond to Story replies or message requests without manual effort.

With this setup, Instagram becomes a natural support and engagement channel, giving users quick answers while freeing teams from repetitive messaging.

Key features

• Reply automatically to Direct Messages
• Respond to Story mentions and replies
• Share product details in chat
• Handle FAQs inside Instagram
• Route conversations to human agents
• Capture lead information from DMs
• Trigger workflows from Instagram messages
• Support media like images and videos

FAQs

How do I connect a chatbot to Instagram DMs?

‍To connect a chatbot to Instagram DMs, you need three things:

1. An Instagram Business or Creator account linked to a Facebook Page.
2. A Meta developer app with the Messenger API for Instagram enabled.
3. A chatbot platform (like Botpress) that supports the Instagram integration.

Once those are set up, you authenticate your Instagram account in the chatbot platform. After authentication, the chatbot can start receiving incoming DMs and send replies automatically.

What accounts or approvals do I need before connecting a chatbot to Instagram?

‍You need an Instagram Business or Creator account linked to a Facebook Page. Admin access to both is required. No extra Meta approval is needed.

How do I connect my Instagram Business account to a chatbot platform?

‍You log in through the chatbot platform’s Instagram integration using your Facebook credentials. This authorizes the platform to access your connected Instagram account for sending and receiving DMs.

What steps are involved in linking a Facebook Page to enable Instagram messaging?

‍In the Instagram app, go to Settings → Account → Sharing to Other Apps, and select your Facebook Page. This link is required because Instagram messaging permissions are managed through the Page.

What rules does Meta have for automating Instagram messages?

‍Meta enforces a 24-hour rule: you can reply freely within 24 hours of the user’s last message. After that, only certain structured follow-up messages are allowed. Messages that look like spam or unsolicited outreach can get the account flagged.

How do I capture customer information from Instagram conversations and send it to my CRM?

‍The chatbot collects inputs such as name, email, or order ID during the chat. That data is then sent to your CRM via an API call or prebuilt integration so leads and customer details are stored automatically.

What are the limits on how many users a chatbot can message on Instagram?

‍There is no hard cap on user volume. The main limits come from Meta’s anti-spam rules and rate controls, which throttle or block accounts that send too many unsolicited or out-of-policy messages.

How do I hand off a conversation from a chatbot to a human agent on Instagram?

‍When the chatbot escalates, the conversation is moved to a live inbox like Facebook Page Inbox or a connected helpdesk. From there, an agent continues the chat directly with the user.