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

# Instagram Integration

> Connect your Instagram Professional account to Fanaura for automated DMs, comment-to-DM triggers, story responses, and keyword-based flow automation.

Instagram is where your fans already spend their time. Fanaura's Instagram integration lets you automate DMs, respond to comments, react to story mentions, and trigger entire marketing flows -- all from within your Fanaura dashboard. It is one of the most powerful ways to turn casual followers into dedicated fans.

## What This Integration Does

When you connect Instagram, you unlock:

* **Automated Instagram DMs**: Send DMs to fans as part of your flows.
* **Keyword triggers**: When a fan DMs you a specific keyword, trigger a flow.
* **Post comment triggers**: Auto-DM fans who comment a keyword on your posts.
* **Reel comment triggers**: Same for comments on your reels.
* **Live comment triggers**: Respond to keywords during Instagram Lives.
* **Story mention triggers**: When fans mention you in their story, trigger a flow.
* **Story reply triggers**: When fans reply to your story, trigger a flow.

## Requirements

Before connecting Instagram to Fanaura, you need:

<Warning>
  An **Instagram Professional account** (Business or Creator) is required. Personal accounts cannot use the Instagram Messaging API. You also need a **Facebook Page** connected to your Instagram account and **admin access** to that Facebook Page.
</Warning>

### Switching to a Professional Account

If you are still on a personal Instagram account:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings">
    Open Instagram and go to your profile. Tap the hamburger menu (three lines) then **Settings and privacy**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Switch Account Type">
    Tap **Account type and tools**, then **Switch to professional account**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Type">
    Choose **Creator** or **Business** (Creator is recommended for artists).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect Facebook Page">
    Follow the prompts to connect a Facebook Page.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  This is free and takes about 2 minutes.
</Info>

## How to Connect Instagram

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Integrations">
    Go to **Integrations** in the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find Instagram">
    Locate the **Instagram** card.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Connection">
    Click **Connect Instagram**. You will be redirected to Instagram (via Meta's OAuth flow).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Log In and Authorize">
    Log in to your Instagram account if prompted. Review the permissions Fanaura is requesting (read/respond to messages, read comments, access profile information) and click **Authorize**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirmation">
    You will be redirected back to Fanaura. The Instagram card now shows **Connected** with your Instagram handle.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What You Can Do After Connecting

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="DM Keyword Triggers">
    Set up keyword triggers so that when a fan DMs you a specific word, a flow kicks off:

    1. In the Flow Builder, create a new flow.
    2. Set the trigger to **Instagram DM Keyword**.
    3. Enter the keyword (e.g., "merch", "tour", "presave").
    4. Build the flow actions that follow.
    5. Toggle the flow ON.

    **Example**: A fan DMs you "TOUR" and immediately receives a DM back with your tour dates and RSVP link.

    Fanaura's keyword matching supports multiple match types:

    * **Exact match**: The DM must be exactly the keyword.
    * **Contains**: The keyword appears anywhere in the message.
    * **Starts with**: The message begins with the keyword.
    * **AI intent**: For longer messages, Fanaura uses AI to understand whether the fan's intent matches the keyword's meaning.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Post & Reel Comments">
    When a fan comments a specific keyword on one of your posts, you can auto-DM them:

    1. Create a flow with a **Post Comment Keyword** trigger.
    2. Specify the keyword fans need to comment (e.g., "LINK").
    3. Set up the DM response (e.g., send them the streaming link).

    **How artists use this**: Post a reel with the caption "Comment LINK to get the new single delivered straight to your DMs!" Fans comment "LINK" and Fanaura sends them a DM with the smart link. This drives both engagement (comments boost algorithm reach) and fan data collection.

    Reel comment triggers work identically -- and since reels are often the highest-reach content on Instagram, this is a powerful acquisition tool.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Live Comments">
    During an Instagram Live, fans can comment keywords and receive automated DMs:

    1. Set up a flow with a **Live Comment Keyword** trigger.
    2. Go live on Instagram.
    3. Tell your audience: "Comment PRESAVE and I'll DM you the link!"
    4. Fanaura monitors live comments and triggers DMs in real time.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Story Triggers">
    **Story Mentions**: When a fan mentions your account in their story, trigger a flow. You might send them a thank-you DM: "Thanks for sharing! Here's something exclusive just for you..."

    **Story Replies**: When fans reply to your Instagram story, trigger a flow. Example: You post a story asking "Who's coming to the show Friday?" and set up a flow that DMs anyone who replies with your RSVP link.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Send Instagram DMs via Flows

Add an "Instagram DM" action to any flow. When a fan triggers the flow, they receive a DM from your Instagram account.

**Example flow**: Fan presaves your music > Wait 1 day > Send Instagram DM: "Thanks for the presave! Here's an exclusive behind-the-scenes clip..."

<Tip>
  For live comments, mention the keyword multiple times during the live. New viewers joining late need to hear the call-to-action too.
</Tip>

## The 24-Hour Window

<Warning>
  **Instagram's policy**: You can only send automated DMs to a fan within 24 hours of their last interaction with your account. An "interaction" includes sending you a DM, commenting on your post/reel/live, replying to your story, or mentioning you in their story.
</Warning>

### What This Means for You

* **Comment-to-DM flows**: The fan's comment opens a 24-hour window. Your DM must be sent within that window (Fanaura handles this automatically).
* **Follow-up DMs**: If your flow has a delay (e.g., "Wait 1 day"), the follow-up DM might fall outside the 24-hour window and will not be delivered.
* **Re-engagement**: You cannot DM a fan out of the blue. They must interact first. This is why comment-to-DM and keyword triggers are so effective -- they are initiated by the fan.

<Note>
  Fanaura respects Instagram's policies automatically. If a DM cannot be sent because the window has closed, it is logged and skipped. No errors, no account violations.
</Note>

### Human Agent Window

When a fan initiates a conversation (sends a DM or comments), Instagram opens a **Human Agent window** that is longer than the standard 24-hour bot window. This gives your team additional time to respond, and Fanaura uses this window for comment-to-DM automations.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Instagram DMs not sending">
    * **Check connection**: Go to Integrations and verify Instagram shows as Connected.
    * **24-hour window**: The fan must have interacted with your account within the last 24 hours.
    * **Professional account**: Confirm your Instagram account is set to Business or Creator, not Personal.
    * **Webhook setup**: Instagram sends events via webhooks. If DMs are not triggering, the webhook might need reconfiguration. Try disconnecting and reconnecting Instagram.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Comments not triggering flows">
    * Verify the flow is toggled **ON**.
    * Check that the keyword in the trigger matches what fans are commenting (case-insensitive).
    * Make sure you are using the right trigger type (Post Comment vs. Reel Comment vs. Live Comment).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cannot connect Instagram">
    * Ensure you have a Professional account (Business or Creator).
    * Make sure your Instagram account is linked to a Facebook Page.
    * You need Admin access to the Facebook Page.
    * Try logging out of Instagram in your browser, then reconnecting.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Fan says they did not receive the DM">
    * Check your flow logs to see if the DM was sent.
    * The fan may have message request filtering turned on. DMs from accounts they do not follow may land in their "Message Requests" folder, not their main inbox.
    * Ask the fan to check their Message Requests.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Best Practices

<Tip>
  **Use clear, simple keywords.** "LINK", "PRESAVE", "TOUR", "MERCH" -- one word, all caps, easy to type. The simpler the keyword, the more fans will participate.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  **Always tell fans what to do.** Your post caption, story, or live narration should explicitly state the keyword and what they will receive: "Comment PRESAVE to get the link in your DMs!"
</Tip>

<Tip>
  **Keep DMs conversational.** Fans want to feel like they are talking to you, not a robot. Write DM copy in your voice: "Hey! Here's that link you wanted..."
</Tip>

<Warning>
  **Respect the 24-hour window.** Design flows that complete within 24 hours. If you need follow-up, switch to email or SMS after the first DM.
</Warning>

<Note>
  **Test before big campaigns.** Before posting a comment-to-DM reel to your full audience, test the flow with a friend or team member to make sure everything works.
</Note>

<Info>
  **Combine with other channels.** Use Instagram DMs for the initial hook, then collect their email or phone number through your smart link for long-term communication.
</Info>

## What Happens Next

After connecting Instagram, you can immediately start building flows with Instagram triggers and actions. Head to the Flow Builder, create a new flow, and select an Instagram trigger to get started. Every Instagram interaction becomes an opportunity to grow your fan database and deepen your relationship with your audience.