Instagram Giveaway DM Automation Collect Entries From Comments and Reply Automatically
Ask followers to comment a keyword like “WIN”. Reachook sends each commenter a DM with your entry link or confirmation through Meta’s official API, and stores every entrant as a contact you can export.
How does an Instagram giveaway DM automation work?
You post the giveaway and tell people to comment a keyword. When someone comments it, the automation replies publicly if you want, and sends one DM to that commenter with the entry link, a form or a confirmation. Instagram only allows this DM because the person interacted with you first by commenting. Automation handles the replies and the contact list. It does not pick winners; you choose the winner yourself.
Last updated: November 2026
What the automation does for a giveaway
Keyword comment triggers
Set a keyword such as WIN or ENTER on a post or Reel. Every matching comment triggers the DM.
Entry link or confirmation by DM
Send the entry form, a rules page or a short “you’re in” message so entrants know what happens next.
Optional public reply
Reply under the comment so the post shows activity and commenters know to check their DMs.
Ask-for-follow step
On paid plans you can ask commenters to follow before the DM releases the entry link.
Entrants stored as contacts
Every commenter who receives the DM is saved in your contact CRM, and you can export the list to CSV.
Lead capture
Collect an email or sign-up through a bio-link lead form or the DM flow on paid plans.
Automated entries vs replying by hand
This compares doing the work manually with using Reachook. Feature availability depends on your plan; see the pricing page.
| Capability | Reachook | Replying by hand |
|---|---|---|
| Reply to every keyword comment | Automatic | One by one |
| Delivery speed | Seconds after the comment | Whenever you are online |
| Entrant list | Saved as contacts, CSV export | Copy and paste |
| Ask-for-follow step | Paid plans | Manual check |
| Picks the winner for you |
Meta rules to check before you run a giveaway
Instagram’s promotion guidelines apply to giveaways. They include a statement that the promotion is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Instagram, and a requirement to follow the laws that apply to your contest. Read Meta’s current promotion guidelines yourself before you publish, because they change.
Automated DMs are only allowed after the person has interacted with your account, for example by commenting. A DM sent in reply to a comment is sent as a private reply, which Meta allows once per comment within a limited window. Do not try to message people who have not interacted with you.
Make the rules clear in the post or on a linked rules page: how to enter, the closing date, how the winner is chosen and how they will be contacted. If you are unsure about local contest or sweepstakes law, ask a lawyer.
What to put in the entry DM
Keep the DM short. Confirm the entry, link to the rules and give the closing date. If you collect emails, say what you will use them for.
If you use a follow gate, say so in the post so people are not surprised.
How it works
Connect Instagram
Log in with Meta OAuth. You need a Business or Creator account.
Pick the giveaway post
Choose the post or Reel and set the keyword people must comment.
Write the entry DM
Add the entry link or confirmation, and an optional public comment reply.
Add a follow step if you want one
On paid plans, ask commenters to follow before the DM is released.
Export entrants and pick a winner
When the giveaway closes, export your contacts to CSV and choose the winner yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Can I automate an Instagram giveaway?
You can automate the replies and the entrant list: people comment a keyword and get a DM. You still choose the winner yourself, and you must follow Instagram’s promotion guidelines.
Is it allowed to DM people who comment on my giveaway?
Meta allows a private reply to a comment, because the person interacted with you first. It does not allow messaging people who have not interacted with your account. Check Meta’s current policy.
Does Reachook pick the giveaway winner?
No. Reachook collects entrants as contacts and lets you export them. You choose the winner.
Is there a free plan I can use for a giveaway?
The Free plan includes 1 automation and 1,000 DMs a month. The follow step and lead capture are on paid plans.
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