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Follow Gate asks a person to follow your Instagram account before Replier sends the automation’s saved DM and link buttons. It works with Instagram post comments and story replies.

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How Follow Gate works

1

A comment or story reply matches

Replier checks the automation’s keywords, or accepts any interaction when that trigger is selected. For a post comment, it can still publish the saved public reply.
2

Replier checks or requests the follow

For a story reply, an existing follower can continue without seeing the gate. Otherwise Replier sends the Follow Gate message and confirmation button.
3

The person confirms

They follow the account, return to the conversation, and tap the confirmation button.
4

Replier sends the saved DM

After Instagram confirms the follow, Replier sends the automation’s private message and tracked buttons.
If the follow is not confirmed, Replier sends the retry message with a retry button instead of releasing the saved DM.

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Turn on Follow Gate

Open the message step while creating or editing an automation, then turn on Follow Gate. You can customize four fields:
  • The first message asking the person to follow
  • The confirmation button text
  • The message shown when the follow is not confirmed
  • The retry button text
Follow Gate messages can contain up to 200 characters. Button labels can contain up to 20 characters.
Every target in the automation must be an Instagram target. Remove Facebook targets before turning on Follow Gate, or leave Follow Gate off for a mixed-channel automation.

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Write clear gate copy

Tell the person exactly what to do and that the requested item comes next. Keep the retry message different from the first message so they understand that the check ran. For example:
  • First message: “Follow this account, then tap below and I’ll send the guide.”
  • Confirmation button: “I’ve followed”
  • Retry message: “I can’t confirm it yet. Follow the account, wait a moment, then check again.”
  • Retry button: “Check again”

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Test both paths

Test from two Instagram accounts when possible:
  1. A follower should receive the saved DM after verification.
  2. A non-follower should see the gate, then the retry message if they confirm too early.
  3. After following, the retry button should release the saved DM and its link buttons.
The gate depends on Instagram’s follow verification and messaging APIs. Temporary platform delays can make a new follow take a moment to confirm.