Turn Instagram Comments Into DMs With n8n

Description and use

Automate Instagram comment replies with n8n: public reply and private DM when a keyword appears.

Problem

Automating the reply of Instagram comments with a private DM to avoid manual copy‑pasting and missed messages.

Outcome

The workflow automatically replies to qualifying comments and sends a DM, eliminating manual effort and ensuring no comment is missed.

Workflow

• 1. Configure Meta app webhook for comments and set callback to n8n Webhook node. 2. Handle Meta verification handshake with GET and respond with hub.challenge. 3. Filter POST events for keyword and ignore own comments using a Code node. 4. Send a public reply via HTTP Request to /{commentId}/replies. 5. Send a private DM via Instagram Messaging API (private reply).

Evidence

"Comment LINK and I’ll send it to you!" works great for engagement, right up until you’re the one copy‑pasting the same DM forty times an hour, and inevitably missing a few in the scroll.

Source

This walkthrough builds the whole thing on n8n and Meta’s own Graph API, no third‑party automation SaaS in the middle.

Source

In development mode it works fine against your own account and any test users you’ve added, but taking it live for real commenters means submitting the app for App Review first, and reviews for messaging permissions routinely take longer than the more common scopes.

Source

Add an HTTP Request node: POST https://graph.instagram.com/v21.0/{{ $json.commentId }}/replies Authorization: Bearer <your Instagram access token> Content-Type: application/json { "message": "Sent you a DM with the link! 📩" }

Source