Want to boost engagement or share offers with your followers? You can now automate Instagram DMs without writing a single line of code using a bot. We’ve just updated and tested the template, so you can get set up and start automating DMs with a single click. (opens new window)

In this guide, you'll learn how to make a bot that automates direct messages on Instagram without a single line of code. What's more, you'll pick up skills that empower you to automate just about anything on the web. How awesome is that? 🚀

Read on if you want to learn or just dive in and install the updated template. (opens new window)

One-Click Setup

Try our NEW Instagram DM bot with a one-click setup; just add a sheet

What exactly is a Insta DM bot? Is it an AI agent?

A bot is like a robot's software cousin. A bot, like a physical robot, requires instructions to understand how to do the job. In this case, you'll give the bot a set of instructions, instructing it in the ancient art of automating Instagram direct messages. Is it an AI agent? No, it's not an AI agent, it's code executing a task.

Check out our blog on what are bots to learn more.

Why is it not an AI Agent?

Before agents existed, code was automating tasks. Then came AI agents in a tidal wave of hype. That hype is fading. AI, LLMs, and agents are expensive. They require hundreds of computers, consume excessive power, and pollute the environment. Agents are unreliable for deterministic workflows. The truth is, code bots are faster, more efficient, and cause less harm in many ways. Why use AI when you can use the right tool for the job?

How are Instagram bots made?

With Axiom's no-code builder, you can create bots for Instagram direct messages without having to code. Use a simple point and click interface to create as many bots as you want!

If you follow the steps below, you'll have a working bot by the end of this article or just use this template (opens new window). You’ll find it’s no harder to set up and use than an AI agent. In fact, refining prompts and settings with AI can often be more difficult.

How do bots automate DMs on Instagram?

Your bot will automate the same web actions you use to send an Instagram DM. Bots operate in the same manner as humans: opening a browser window, visiting a user's profile, and clicking the DM button. The same way an AI would, AI's have to use tools like Axiom.ai only we think the agent is not needed.

Will my Instagram account get blocked if I automate DMs?

It could if you’re not careful and respectful! Instagram limits direct messaging, so if you created an army of bots automating Instagram 24/7, you will get suspended first then blocked. Current limits estimated 50-70 per day for new accounts, and 150-200 per day for established accounts. We recommend starting with a low cadence and increasing it gradually to find your limit.

We believe that bots should be used responsibly and should not be used to spam websites or degrade the experiences of other users. To avoid being blocked, familiarise yourself with Instagram's rate limits (opens new window) and do not exceed them. Don't use Axiom to take advantage of the system!

Let’s learn how to build an Instagram DM bot!

This part is optional remeber you can just install the insta template (opens new window) we have just updated it and will will set it up for you.

Install Axiom in your chrome browser

If you haven’t yet installed Axiom, and created an account please goto the chrome store and install Axiom now (opens new window).

By the way, we give all new users 2 hours of runtime. This means you can build and run this bot a few times on us 🙂

Set up your Google Sheet

Create a new Google Sheet. You can do this in your Chrome browser by entering the shortcut 'sheet.new', presuming you already have an account. Name your sheet something like 'Instagram DM’ then add profile links.

Launch Instagram and open Axiom.ai

First, open your Chrome browser and log into Instagram. Then launch Axiom and click the '+ New Automation' button. You'll now begin combining steps to create your Instagram automation.

Click 'Add the first step' to start, or why not use a Insta template?

To build your bot from scratch, click on 'Add the first step'. This will open the Step Finder, so you can start adding steps to your bot.

Follow this link to use the automate DMs template.

1. Add your first step, ‘Read data from a Google Sheet’

Using the Step Finder search for ‘Read data from a Google Sheet’ and click on it. The step will be added to Axiom for you to configure.

1. In the field called 'Spreadsheet', you can search for the Google Sheet you created by name. Once found, click on it to select.
2. For 'Sheet name' click on the drop-down and select the tab containing the Instagram profile links

2. Add a ‘Loop through data’ step

Click the 'Add a new step' button below the ‘read’ step. Using the Step Finder click on 'Loop through data' to add the step.

2.1. Add ‘Go to page’ step

Click the 'Add sub-step' button inside the 'Loop through data’ step. Using the Step Finder search for 'Go to page' and click to add.

1. Enter URL - Click 'Insert data', select [google-sheet-data] choosing the column with the Instagram profile links

2.2 Add ‘Get data from bot's current page’ step

Click the 'Add sub-step' button inside the 'Loop through data’ step. Using the Step Finder search for 'Get data from bot's current page' and click to add.

1. On an Instagram profile page - Click 'Select' and highlight column with the header and post in it, see image above
2. Max Results - Set to one
3. Configure scraper - # of attempts when results not found set to one

Tried the automate DMs template?

2.3 Add an ‘IF condition’ step

Click the 'Add sub-step' button inside the 'Loop through data’ step. Using the Step Finder search for 'If condition' and click to add.

1. Set 'Data to check' - Select [Scrape data]
2. Condition to check - Using words enter 'Message' into the input field
3. Reverse condition - True

2.3.1 Add a 'Click Element' step

Click the 'Add sub-step' button inside the 'If Condition’ step. Using the Step Finder search for 'Click Element' and click to add.

1. On an Instagram profile page - Click 'Select' and highlight the 'Message' button

2.3.2 Add a 'Wait' step

Click the 'Add sub-step' button inside the 'If Condition’ step. Using the Step Finder search for 'Wait' and click to add.

1. Set a time in milliseconds - Enter 1000

2.3.3 Add a 'Click Element' step

Click the 'Add sub-step' button inside the 'If Condition’ step. Using the Step Finder search for 'Click Element' and click to add. This step is to close the pop up that only appears when you run the automation.

1. Click 'Select'
2. Next, click 'Custom' in the toolbar
3. Tick, 'Use element text instead of html'
4. Input 'Not Now' and press complete
5. Tick, Optional click

2.3.4 Add a 'Wait' step

Click the 'Add sub-step' button inside the 'If Condition’ step. Using the Step Finder search for 'Wait' and click to add.

1. Set a time in milliseconds - Enter 1000

2.3.5 Add a 'Enter Text' step

Click the 'Add sub-step' button inside the 'If Condition’ step. Using the Step Finder search for 'Enter Text' and click to add. No need to select the input as the cursor is positioned in the input when the Instagram DM page loads.

1. Text - Click 'Insert data' select [google-sheet-data] choosing the column with the message you wish to send

Stuck? Have you tried the automate DMs template.

2.3.5 Add a 'Press Key(s)' step

Click the 'Add sub-step' button inside the 'If Condition’ step. Using the Step Finder search for 'Press Key(s)' and click to add.

1. Key - Click 'Record' and press Return

2.4 Add a 'Delete rows from a Google Sheet' step

Click the 'Add step' button inside the 'loop step’ step. Using the Step Finder search for 'Delete rows from a Google Sheet' and click to add.

1. In the field called 'Spreadsheet', you can search for the Google Sheet you created by name. Once found, click on it to select.
2. For 'Sheet name' click on the drop-down and select the tab containing the Instagram profile links

Well done! The bot is ready to test 👍

Try sending a DM on Instagram to see if it’s working the way you want

Before you do a test run, make sure you’ve disabled the sub-step ‘Key press’ to stop the DM’s from being sent. If not, do that now.

It's best practice to test every bot to check it’s production-ready. With the ‘Post’ button disabled, you can do a test run that will not send a post.

We recommend test running your bot with the desktop app, but you can also do it in the cloud.

Make sure that you confirm your message is successfully entered and the logic is working as you expect.

Go ahead and click ‘run’. Get ready for some magic.

Fix any issues with your automation

If you experience any issue with the bot not clicking buttons, try re-selecting the button or text input or follow this link to use the New one-click setup automate DMs template.To change the selection, move the cursor slowly over the object and re-select.

The 'Click' step also has a handy feature that allows you to select the button by the text, which can resolve many issues. Just click the “Use element text” button and see if that helps you out.

Don't forget we have excellent customer support. If you need help, get in touch. (https://axiom.ai/customer-support)

Update - Using line breaks in your DMs

Instagram message inputs interpret the Return key as “Submit.” So if you add line breaks to your text, it will be split into a long string of separate messages like the one shown below. We have a workaround for this, and you can learn how to use custom line breaks in detail here. (opens new window)

Wrapping up

You have learned how to use an Instagram direct message bot, sure, but you also have the knowledge to do so much more! Now that you have used an 'Interact' step, automated clicks and key presses, you can build a bot to automate virtually any web app. Remember those jumps steps too - with those in your pocket you’ll be a bot master in no time. Go you! Perhaps try automating TikTok DMs next.

If you are interested in automating Instagram you may want to visit these pages:

Follow this link to use the automate DMs template. Automate Instagram posts blog Automate Instagram posts video How to Automate Instagram actions for beginners video Automate Instagram posting without code landing page