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

# Automations Overview

> Automatically reply to comments, story replies, and DMs on Instagram

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.

<Info>
  **Supported platforms**

  Automations are currently available for **Instagram** (Business or Creator accounts). Each automation runs against a single connected Instagram channel.
</Info>

## What you can automate

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Comments" icon="comment">
    Reply publicly to comments on your posts and reels, then continue the conversation in the DMs.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Story replies" icon="circle-play">
    Respond automatically when someone replies to your story.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Direct messages" icon="paper-plane">
    Trigger a flow when a DM contains specific keywords.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## 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.

<Note>
  Learn the building blocks in [Triggers & Actions](/automations/triggers-and-actions), then follow [Create an Automation](/automations/create-automation) to put them together.
</Note>

## Prerequisites

Before you can build an automation, you need:

<Steps>
  <Step title="A professional Instagram account">
    Automations require an Instagram **Business** or **Creator** account. Personal accounts are not supported by Instagram's automation APIs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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](/providers/instagram) for the connection steps.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Understanding the dashboard

The Automations page lists every automation for the selected channel, along with four headline stats:

| Stat                  | Meaning                                                                         |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Total Automations** | How many automations exist for this channel (active or not).                    |
| **Active**            | How many are currently switched on and listening for events.                    |
| **Successful Fires**  | The number of times an automation ran and completed its actions successfully.   |
| **Failed Fires**      | The 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.

## Good to know

<Warning>
  **Instagram's 24-hour messaging window**

  Instagram 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.
</Warning>

* 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).