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Follow Gate asks people to follow your Instagram account before they receive the automation’s saved DM and links. In the editor, the option is Ask them to follow first. It works with Instagram post comments and story replies. Facebook targets can share the same automation, but send the saved DM without a follow check. At least one Instagram target is required.
The steps below describe Follow Gate on its own. With other steps enabled, the order is opening message, Instagram follow check, email collection, then the saved message. Facebook skips the follow check but still runs opening and email steps. See opening messages and email collection.

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What the person receives

  1. Their comment or story reply matches your automation. A post comment can also receive your saved public reply.
  2. Replier sends a message asking them to follow, with a button that opens your profile and a confirmation button. For a story reply, an existing follower can receive the saved DM without this step.
  3. The person opens your profile from the message, follows your account, then taps the confirmation button in the same conversation.
  4. Once Instagram confirms the follow, Replier sends your saved DM and links.
If the follow is not confirmed, the person receives your reminder message, with the profile button and a button to check again. The requested DM stays held until the check succeeds.

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Set it up

In the message editor, turn on Ask them to follow first. Fill in these fields: The profile button opens your Instagram profile, so people can follow without searching for your account. It sits above the confirmation button in the first message and the reminder. Automations you create in Replier show it; turn off Profile button to send only the confirmation button. When an AI app creates an automation for you, ask it to add the button. Automations created before the profile button was added don’t show it until you turn it on. Each gate message can contain up to 200 characters. Each button label can contain up to 20. Write the reminder differently from the first message so people know their check was received. Save the automation and review both messages in Preview.

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Test it

  • Test with a follower and confirm that the saved DM is delivered after verification.
  • Test with a non-follower. The profile button should open your profile, and tapping the confirmation button before following should show the reminder.
  • Follow the account, wait briefly, then tap the retry button. The DM and links should arrive after confirmation.
Instagram may take a moment to reflect a new follow. If delivery fails, check Results → Recent activity and Troubleshooting. Turning on Follow Gate does not change DMs already delivered. Before removing the last Instagram target, turn Follow Gate off.