Before you start
You'll need:
- An Instagram Business account (not a personal account — convert it free in Instagram Settings)
- The Instagram account connected to a Facebook Page (required by Meta's API)
- A free ReplyMind account (takes 30 seconds)
If your Instagram is already a business account linked to a Facebook Page, you're ready to start.
Why a Facebook Page? Meta's Messenger Platform API — the official way to access Instagram DMs programmatically — requires an Instagram Business account connected to a Facebook Page. This is a Meta requirement, not a ReplyMind one.
Step 1 — Create your account and connect Instagram
Go to replymind.online/register, create your account, and then navigate to Connect in your dashboard. Click “Connect Facebook & Instagram” — you'll be redirected to Meta's permission screen. Grant the requested permissions, select your Page and Instagram account, and click Confirm.
This process uses Meta's official OAuth flow. ReplyMind never stores your Instagram or Facebook password — only the access token Meta issues to your account.
Step 2 — Configure your business context
Navigate to Business in your dashboard. Fill in: business name, what you do, opening hours, location (if relevant), key services or products, your preferred tone (formal, casual, friendly), and any specific instructions — like “always offer a free consultation” or “never mention competitor prices.”
This is the most important step. The more context you give, the better the AI replies. You don't need to be exhaustive — even a paragraph or two dramatically improves response quality.
Example business context
We're a boutique fitness studio in Austin, TX specializing in reformer Pilates. We offer group classes ($25/session), private sessions ($75), and monthly memberships ($180/mo). Hours are Mon–Sat 6am–8pm. Tone: warm and encouraging. Always invite new customers to try a free first class.
Step 3 — Choose your AI provider and enable replies
Go to AI Config in your dashboard. Select ReplyMind AI (powered by Claude) as your provider. Adjust the confidence threshold — messages below this score will be escalated to you instead of auto-replied. The default (0.7) works well for most businesses. Toggle Enable AI Replies on.
That's it. ReplyMind is now monitoring your Instagram DMs. Every incoming message will receive an AI-generated reply within 2 seconds.
Step 4 — Monitor and refine
Check your Inbox dashboard after the first 24 hours. Read the AI replies, look at escalated conversations, and update your business context if any answers were off. Most businesses find the first few tweaks dramatically improve accuracy.
What to expect
- Replies are sent within 2 seconds of a message arriving
- On average, 85% of messages are handled fully by the AI
- The remaining ~15% are escalated to you for review
- You can reply manually to any conversation at any time from the dashboard
Common questions
Will customers know it's AI?
ReplyMind replies in first person using your business voice — it doesn't say “I'm an AI” unless you instruct it to. Most customers simply experience it as a fast, helpful reply. If your jurisdiction requires AI disclosure, add an instruction like “Always mention replies may be AI-assisted.”
What if the AI gets something wrong?
The escalation threshold is your safety net. Messages the AI isn't confident about are flagged for you. If a reply does go out that's inaccurate, update your business context and the AI will correct itself on future messages.
Can I turn it off?
Yes — the AI toggle in your dashboard can be disabled at any time. All existing conversations remain visible. There's no minimum commitment.
Ready to set up your Instagram AI replies?
Create your free account and be live in 5 minutes. 100 AI replies/month free — no credit card needed.