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Automations let your connected channels respond to your audience on their own. When someone comments on a post or reel, replies to a story, or sends you a direct message, SocialSyncs can reply to the comment publicly and follow up in the DMs — instantly, around the clock, without you lifting a finger.
Supported platformsAutomations are currently available for Instagram (Business or Creator accounts). Each automation runs against a single connected Instagram channel.

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What you can automate

Comments

Reply publicly to comments on your posts and reels, then continue the conversation in the DMs.

Story replies

Respond automatically when someone replies to your story.

Direct messages

Trigger a flow when a DM contains specific keywords.

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How it works

Every automation is built from one trigger and one or more actions:
  1. A trigger decides when the automation runs — for example, “a comment on any reel that contains the word price.”
  2. Actions decide what happens — for example, “reply to the comment publicly, then send a DM with a link.”
Instagram notifies SocialSyncs in real time the moment the trigger event happens. SocialSyncs checks the event against your rules (keywords and which posts/stories it applies to), and if it matches, runs your actions in order.
Learn the building blocks in Triggers & Actions, then follow Create an Automation to put them together.

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Prerequisites

Before you can build an automation, you need:
1

A professional Instagram account

Automations require an Instagram Business or Creator account. Personal accounts are not supported by Instagram’s automation APIs.
2

The Instagram channel connected to SocialSyncs

Connect your Instagram account as a channel first. The connection must include permission to manage comments and messages. See the Instagram provider guide for the connection steps.

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Understanding the dashboard

The Automations page lists every automation for the selected channel, along with four headline stats:
StatMeaning
Total AutomationsHow many automations exist for this channel (active or not).
ActiveHow many are currently switched on and listening for events.
Successful FiresThe number of times an automation ran and completed its actions successfully.
Failed FiresThe number of times an automation matched but an action could not be delivered.
Each automation in the table shows its Name, Trigger, the Actions it performs, its individual success / failure count, and an Active toggle you can flip at any time. Switching an automation off stops it from responding without deleting your configuration.

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Good to know

Instagram’s 24-hour messaging windowInstagram only allows you to send direct messages to a person within 24 hours of their last interaction with you. Automations that send DMs work within this window — which is exactly why comment, story-reply, and DM triggers are ideal, since the person has just engaged with you.
  • Automations respond to engagement that happens after they are switched on — they don’t act on past comments or messages.
  • Replies to comments are posted publicly; the welcome message and your primary DM are delivered privately in the DMs.
  • You can run several automations on the same channel at once (for example, one per keyword or campaign).