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

# Automate Instagram story replies

> Choose active, next, or all Instagram stories and send a DM when a story reply matches.

Instagram story automations listen for private replies to your stories. When a reply matches the trigger, Replier sends the DM and buttons saved in the automation. There is no public reply because story replies are already private.

## Choose a story scope

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="All stories">
    Listen for replies to any story on the selected Instagram account. Use this
    for a call to action you repeat across stories.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Next story">
    Wait for the first story published after the automation becomes active.
    Replier links the automation to that story when it appears.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Active story">
    Choose one story that is live now. The target expires with that story,
    normally 24 hours after it was published.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Story targets are available only for Instagram. One active story, next-story slot, or all-stories scope cannot use two active Replier automations at the same time.

## Choose the reply trigger

* **Specific keywords:** A reply triggers when it contains any saved word or phrase, ignoring capitalization.
* **Any story reply:** Every eligible reply from another account triggers the automation.

Choose keywords that make sense without a public comment. For example, a story that says “Reply **menu** and I’ll send it” can use `menu` as its trigger.

## Write the DM

Story replies skip the public-reply step. Write the private message the person should receive, then add up to three tracked link buttons.

You can also turn on [Follow Gate](/guides/follow-gate). Replier checks whether the person follows the Instagram account before releasing the saved DM.

## Understand story timing

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What happens when an active story expires?">
    The target shows as expired and stops matching new replies. Other targets in
    the same automation keep running.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="When does Next story start listening?">
    It starts when the automation is active. Stories published before activation
    do not fill the slot.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if several stories are published?">
    A **Next story** target resolves to the earliest eligible story published
    after activation. Use **All stories** if every new story should use the same
    automation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can one automation include posts and stories?">
    Yes. Up to 24 targets can share one trigger and DM. Public reply settings
    apply to comment targets and are skipped for story replies.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Test the automation

Publish or select the target story, then reply from another Instagram account. Confirm that the saved DM arrives. If Follow Gate is on, test both a follower and a non-follower.

<Info>
  Meta controls story availability and message delivery. An active story can
  disappear from the picker after it expires even if Replier still shows its
  past activity.
</Info>