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Instagram DM

Connect Simple Agent to Instagram Direct Messages and auto-reply to comments.

With the Instagram channel, your AI agent responds to direct messages (DMs) and can be configured to auto-reply to comments — all via the Meta Graph API.

Prerequisites

  • Instagram Business or Creator account — personal profiles are not supported by the API
  • Facebook Page linked to the Instagram account
  • Meta App with the Instagram product configured
  • Simple Agent Growth or Agency plan

Step-by-step setup

1. Link Instagram to the Facebook Page

  1. On Instagram → Settings → Account → Linked accounts → Facebook
  2. Select the correct Page
  3. Confirm you are an Administrator of the Page

2. Create the Meta App (if you haven't already)

  1. developers.facebook.com → Create App → Business
  2. Add the Instagram product
  3. Connect your Page → the Instagram account is detected automatically

3. Get credentials

In the Meta app panel → Instagram → Configuration:

Field Where to find it
Instagram Account ID Instagram → Configuration → Instagram Account
Page Access Token Tools → Graph API Explorer → Token with pages_messaging permission

4. Connect in Simple Agent

  1. Dashboard → Channels → Instagram
  2. Paste the Instagram Account ID and Page Access Token
  3. Click Save and generate Webhook URL

5. Configure webhook in Meta

  1. Meta App → Webhooks
  2. Add the Simple Agent URL
  3. Subscribe to fields: messages, messaging_postbacks
  4. Verify and save

Features

DMs (Direct Messages)

The agent automatically responds to incoming Direct messages. The behavior is identical to the web widget — uses the same training, tone, and sources.

Comments (optional)

When enabled, the agent can:

  • Reply to comments with a standard message (e.g., "Thanks! We sent details via DM")
  • Automatically send a DM to anyone who comments with a keyword (e.g., "PRICE")

Configure in Channels → Instagram → Comment triggers.

Meta API limitations

  • 24-hour window: After the user's last message, you have 24 hours to reply with any content. Outside that window, only Meta-approved Template Messages can be sent.
  • No proactive messaging: The API doesn't allow starting conversations — only replying.
  • Media: Images sent by users are analyzed via vision. Videos are not processed.

Troubleshooting

Agent doesn't respond to DMs:

  • Confirm the Instagram account is in Business mode (not personal)
  • Check that the Page Access Token has the instagram_manage_messages permission
  • User tokens expire in 60 days — use a System Token for production

Error "OAuthException 200":

  • The pages_messaging permission has not been approved. Submit the app for review in Meta if the account is not a test account.

Webhook doesn't verify:

  • The Simple Agent endpoint accepts any Verify Token you define — confirm you are pasting the same value in both fields.

Required permissions

For production (real account, not test), your Meta app needs review for:

  • instagram_manage_messages
  • pages_messaging
  • instagram_basic

The review process takes 5–10 business days and requires a video demonstration.

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