How to automate Instagram DM's

This guide takes you through the step-by-step process of setting up a bot to send Instagram DMs. However, if you are keen to get started quickly, we have a one-click setup template you can use instead of this guide.

Create a blank Google Sheet

Create a Google Sheet, in Col A add links to profiles and in Col B insert your DM.

AB
https://www.instagram.com/alfiesmith81/My custom message 1
https://www.instagram.com/axiom.ai/My custom message 2

Start from blank, adding the following steps

In the axiom.ai Chrome extension, click "New Automation" and then select "Start from Blank". Use the step finder to add the steps outlined below.

  • Step 1.0 Read data from a Google Sheet
    • Spreadsheet: Search for the Google Sheet you created. Once found, click to select.
    • Sheet name: Choose a sheet tab or leave blank to use the first tab.
    • First cell: Start from a specified column and row, e.g., "A1".
    • Last cell: End at a specified column and row, e.g., "AB1".
  • Step 2.0 Loop through data
    • Loop through data: Click Insert data, select google-sheet-data.
    • Step 2.1 Go to page: Instagram profile
      • Enter URL: Click Insert data, select the column with Instagram profile links.
    • Step 2.2 Get data from bot's current page
      • Select: Use the Selector Tool to select the header containing the Message button.
    • Step 2.3 If condition: Check for Message button
      • Data to check: Select [scrape-data].
      • Condition to check: Insert text "Message" (localise if needed).
      • Reverse condition: Set to "Run steps if condition is true".
      • Step 2.3.1 Click element: Message
        • Select: Highlight the Message button.
        • Click: Set to Custom, enable "Use element text instead of HTML", click "Complete".
      • Step 2.3.2 Wait: For DM dialog to appear ^
      • Step 2.3.3 Click element: Dismiss dialog
        • Select: Highlight the ‘Not now’ button.
        • Click: Set to Custom, enable "Use element text instead of HTML", click "Complete".
      • Step 2.3.4 Wait: For dialog to close ^
      • Step 2.3.5 Enter text: DM message
        • Text: Click Insert data, select the message column from google-sheet-data (usually column B).
      • Step 2.3.6 Press key(s): Send DM
        • Record: Press "Return", then click "Stop recording".
    • Step 2.4 Delete rows from a Google Sheet
      • Spreadsheet: Search for the Google Sheet you created. Once found, click to select.
      • Sheet name: Choose a sheet tab or leave blank to use the first tab.
      • First row to delete: Leave set to 1.
      • Last row to delete: Leave set to 1.

💡 For testing, set "Last cell" to "AB1" to send a single DM. To send more, increase to "AB10" etc. Instagram has limits — avoid getting blocked.

Wrapping up

By following these steps, it's possible to automate sending direct messages on Instagram. Sending too many messages can get your account blocked, but it works well if you stick within Instagram's DM limits. Better still, there is an Instagram template that can be set up with a single click.

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