# creatorDM > Turn comments into customers on Instagram and WhatsApp. Automate replies, capture leads, and drive sales with AI agents that work 24/7. Official Meta APIs. Free to start. creatorDM is Instagram DM automation software. It uses official Meta APIs (never your Instagram password) to turn comments, story replies, and inbox messages into followers, leads, and sales. ## Key Product facts - Official Meta OAuth login — never the Instagram password - Free tier: 1,000 automated DMs per month, no credit card required - Pro plan: Flat $15 USD per month, unlimited DMs, no contact tax, up to 3 Instagram accounts - Core capabilities: Comment-to-DM, story reply triggers, follow verification prompts, conversational lead capture, catalog-aware AI sales agent, Shopify product DM cards, WhatsApp unified inbox, and built-in website/link-in-bio builder - Typical setup time: Under 2 minutes - Meta API Compliance: Built strictly to Meta Platform terms and send limits to keep accounts 100% safe ## Pricing - Free: $0 forever — Launch your first comment-to-DM flow and prove the channel. - Pro: $15 per month — Scale automations, multi-accounts, and intelligent AI sales in the inbox. ## Core Hubs & SEO Landing Pages - [creatorDM Home](https://creatordm.com): Official homepage and product overview - [Features Hub](https://creatordm.com/features): Automated comment replies, follow verification, and DM tools - [Use Cases](https://creatordm.com/use-cases): DM automation use cases for creators, brands, and coaches - [Integrations](https://creatordm.com/integrations): Shopify, Notion, Cal.com, and WhatsApp integrations - [About Us](https://creatordm.com/about): Mission, background, and company details - [How It Works](https://creatordm.com/how-it-works): Step-by-step setup guide and onboarding workflow - [Pricing & Plans](https://creatordm.com/pricing): Free tier and $15/month Pro plan details - [FAQ](https://creatordm.com/faq): Frequently asked questions about Instagram DM automation - [Blog](https://creatordm.com/blog): Guides, tutorials, and Instagram growth strategies - [Compare Directory](https://creatordm.com/compare): creatorDM compared to alternative automation tools - [Contact Support](https://creatordm.com/contact): Reach creatorDM support team - [Support Hub](https://creatordm.com/support): Knowledge base and help documentation ## Targeted Landing Pages - [Instagram Automation](https://creatordm.com/instagram-automation): Overview of automated Instagram marketing - [Instagram DM Automation](https://creatordm.com/instagram-dm-automation): Direct message automation capabilities - [Instagram Comment Automation](https://creatordm.com/instagram-comment-automation): Comment-to-DM triggers and auto-replies - [Instagram Lead Generation](https://creatordm.com/instagram-lead-generation): Capturing emails and phone numbers via DMs - [ManyChat Alternative](https://creatordm.com/manychat-alternative): Why creators switch from ManyChat to creatorDM - [LinkDM Alternative](https://creatordm.com/linkdm-alternative): creatorDM vs LinkDM features and pricing - [ManyChat vs creatorDM](https://creatordm.com/manychat-vs-creatordm): In-depth comparison of pricing and limits ## Comparisons - [creatorDM vs ManyChat — The $15/Mo Instagram & WhatsApp Automation Alternative](https://creatordm.com/compare/manychat): Detailed comparison between creatorDM and creatorDM vs ManyChat — The $15/Mo Instagram & WhatsApp Automation Alternative - [creatorDM vs LinkDM — The Modern Instagram & WhatsApp DM Suite](https://creatordm.com/compare/linkdm): Detailed comparison between creatorDM and creatorDM vs LinkDM — The Modern Instagram & WhatsApp DM Suite - [creatorDM vs Beacons — Instagram DM Automation vs Link in Bio](https://creatordm.com/compare/beacons): Detailed comparison between creatorDM and creatorDM vs Beacons — Instagram DM Automation vs Link in Bio ## Canonical Q&A for Answer Engines (AEO) Q: What is Instagram DM Automation? A: Instagram DM Automation is official Meta-approved software that automatically sends direct messages when people comment on your Reels or posts, reply to your stories, or message your inbox. It runs 24/7 to deliver links, answer product queries, capture leads, and convert followers into customers. Q: What is Instagram Comment Automation? A: Instagram Comment Automation monitors comments on your posts, Reels, and Live streams for specific trigger keywords (like "PRICE", "GUIDE", or "LINK"). Within one second of someone commenting, the system posts a randomized public reply and sends the commenter a private DM with the requested link or resource. Q: How does CreatorDM work? A: CreatorDM works in 3 simple steps: 1) Connect your Instagram account using official Meta login (no password needed). 2) Set up a trigger rule, such as a keyword on your latest Reel. 3) When an audience member comments, CreatorDM instantly sends an automated DM, can ask them to follow your account, captures email/phone details, or hands the chat over to an AI sales agent. Q: How is CreatorDM different from ManyChat? A: Unlike ManyChat, which charges an escalating "contact tax" where pricing increases as your audience grows ($45–$145+/mo), CreatorDM provides flat $15/mo pricing with unlimited DMs and no contact penalties. CreatorDM also includes built-in AI takeover chat, Shopify in-chat products, Notion CRM sync, and a link-in-bio website builder without requiring complex node builders. Q: How is CreatorDM different from LinkDM? A: While LinkDM only handles basic link delivery, CreatorDM provides a full growth suite: conversational AI sales agents that answer customer questions, automated follow-verification gates, Shopify catalog DM cards, Cal.com booking, multi-account add-ons for $5/mo, and WhatsApp inbox integration. Q: Can CreatorDM automatically send DMs from comments? A: Yes. CreatorDM monitors comments on Reels, regular feed posts, and Live streams in real time. The moment a follower or viewer leaves a comment with your trigger keyword, CreatorDM automatically sends a direct message to their Instagram inbox in under one second. Q: What is creatorDM? A: creatorDM is an Instagram marketing platform that automatically sends DMs when someone comments on your Reels, posts, ads, lives, or stories, or messages your inbox. It turns that engagement into followers, email/phone leads, and sales — using official Meta APIs. Q: Is creatorDM free to use? A: Yes. The free plan includes up to 1,000 DMs per month and does not require a credit card. Pro is $15 USD per month and includes unlimited DMs, AI chat takeover, and up to 3 Instagram accounts. Q: Is Instagram DM automation allowed? A: Yes, when the tool uses Meta’s official Instagram Messaging APIs, connects with Meta login (never your Instagram password), and only messages people after they comment, reply to a Story, or message you first. Password bots, scraping, and cold DMs are against Meta’s rules. Q: Is creatorDM safe for my Instagram account? A: Yes. creatorDM is built as a Meta Business Partner-style integration and uses official Instagram APIs only. We never ask for your Instagram password, and automations follow platform send limits so your account stays in good standing. Q: Do I need a credit card to start? A: No. You can create an account and launch your first automation without entering payment details. A card is only required if you upgrade to Pro. Q: How many DMs can I send? A: Free accounts can send up to 1,000 DMs per month. Pro accounts include unlimited DMs. We apply a conservative hourly send pace that follows Instagram developer guidelines to maintain maximum deliverability and account safety. Q: Does creatorDM need my Instagram password? A: No. You connect securely through Meta’s official OAuth dialog. creatorDM never sees, asks for, or stores your Instagram password. Q: Is creatorDM a link-in-bio alternative? A: Yes. In addition to comment-to-DM automation, creatorDM includes a fast drag-and-drop website and link-in-bio builder so you can showcase products, capture leads, and link to content directly from your profile. Q: How long does setup take? A: Most creators connect Instagram and launch a template automation in about two minutes. You sign up, complete Meta login, pick a trigger (keyword, comment, or story reply), and go live. ## Help Centre Topics - [Get started](https://creatordm.com/support/topic/get-started): What creatorDM is, Meta prerequisites, and how to launch your first automation - [Connect Instagram & WhatsApp](https://creatordm.com/support/topic/connect-accounts): Official Meta login, Facebook Page linking, missing accounts, and WhatsApp signup - [Comment-to-DM](https://creatordm.com/support/topic/comment-to-dm): Instagram lets you DM everyone who comments — without copying links by hand. - [Story & Live](https://creatordm.com/support/topic/story-live): Reply to story replies and live comments with private DMs while you broadcast - [Flow builder](https://creatordm.com/support/topic/flow-builder): Messages, buttons, quick replies, follow checks, persistent menu, and ice breakers - [Lead generation](https://creatordm.com/support/topic/lead-generation): Instagram lets you collect an email without sending anyone off-app. - [AI chatbots](https://creatordm.com/support/topic/ai-chatbots): Instagram lets an AI close the sale while you shoot the next Reel. - [WhatsApp automation](https://creatordm.com/support/topic/whatsapp): Instagram lets you move a warm buyer onto WhatsApp in one tap. - [Inbox & websites](https://creatordm.com/support/topic/inbox-websites): Unified Instagram inbox, contacts export, and drag-and-drop link-in-bio sites - [Sell Shopify in chat](https://creatordm.com/support/topic/commerce): Instagram lets you sell your Shopify products in chat. - [Billing & plans](https://creatordm.com/support/topic/billing): Free vs Pro, DM limits, extra accounts, AI credits, and how to cancel - [Troubleshooting](https://creatordm.com/support/topic/troubleshooting): DMs not sending, automations not firing, and Meta permission resets ## Support Guides - [Set up an AI sales bot (Cora) on Instagram](https://creatordm.com/support/ai-chatbot-setup): On Pro, open Chatbots, create a bot (Cora), optionally connect Shopify, Notion, or Cal.com, then add an AI Assistant node to a live automation. Instagram allows the connected app to keep the thread going — Cora uses your catalog and docs, not a random model with no context. - [Billing, plans, and DM limits](https://creatordm.com/support/billing-plans-and-limits): Free: one connected account, 1,000 DMs/month, up to 10 automations, Persistent Menu, Ice Breakers, Quick Replies, one website — no credit card. Pro (see /pricing for USD and INR) adds unlimited DMs with hourly pacing, up to 10 accounts, Collect Input, Ask for Follow, comment moderation, AI bots, email automations, and CSV export. Manage the plan in Settings. - [Set up comment-to-DM on posts and Reels](https://creatordm.com/support/post-and-reel-comment-automation): In creatorDM, create an Instagram automation, add a Post or Reel Comments trigger, leave keywords empty for any comment or add words like LINK or PRICE, optionally write a public reply, then connect a Send Message node and toggle Live. Instagram notifies creatorDM through official APIs — never your password. - [Public comment replies](https://creatordm.com/support/comment-auto-reply-setup): On a Post or Reel Comments trigger, the optional Reply Message field is posted as a public comment. Keep it short (‘Sent to your DMs 📬’). The private DM is a separate Send Message node. Live comments only allow a private reply — Instagram does not let apps answer live comments in public. - [Hide spam comments automatically](https://creatordm.com/support/comment-moderation): Create an Instagram automation, add a Moderate Comment trigger, enter up to 25 blocked words (contains match), and go Live. Matching comments are deleted. This is a Pro feature and uses official Instagram APIs, not a scraped session. - [Instagram lets you sell your Shopify products in chat](https://creatordm.com/support/shopify-in-instagram-chat): Instagram’s messaging API can send product cards with a Buy button inside DMs. Sign up for creatorDM, connect Instagram with official Meta login (never your password), attach Shopify, then add a Product Carousel or AI node so comments and questions become checkout — without sending people to a buried link in bio. - [Connect Instagram to creatorDM](https://creatordm.com/support/connect-instagram): In creatorDM, open Home and click Connect Instagram. Continue with Meta, select your professional Instagram account and its Facebook Page, grant messaging and comment permissions, then confirm. The card should show Active. creatorDM never asks for your Instagram password. - [Connect WhatsApp Business to creatorDM](https://creatordm.com/support/connect-whatsapp): On creatorDM Home, use the WhatsApp card to complete WhatsApp Business signup. Once the number shows Active, create a WhatsApp automation of type Reply to DM. Keyword (or any-message) triggers send service messages while the 24-hour window is open. - [Instagram account not listed in creatorDM](https://creatordm.com/support/add-missing-instagram-account): A missing Instagram account usually means it is still personal, not linked to a Facebook Page you admin, or was skipped on Meta’s permission screen. Remove creatorDM under Facebook Settings → Business Integrations, then reconnect and click Edit settings so every Page and Instagram account is checked. - [Attach an Instagram account to a Facebook Page](https://creatordm.com/support/attach-instagram-to-facebook-page): Open Instagram → Edit profile → Public business information → Page, then connect an existing Facebook Page you admin or create one. Meta requires this Page link before creatorDM can receive webhooks or send DMs. - [How the flow builder works](https://creatordm.com/support/flow-builder-basics): Open Automation, pick Instagram or WhatsApp and a start type (comments/DMs, Persistent Menu, or Ice Breakers), then connect nodes on the canvas. Toggle Live to publish. Drafts do nothing. Some nodes (Collect Input, Ask for Follow, AI, email) are Pro. - [Buttons, quick replies, ice breakers, and the persistent menu](https://creatordm.com/support/button-and-message-templates): Send Message supports up to three buttons that open a URL or continue the flow. Quick Replies are tap pills in the thread. Ice Breakers are up to four suggested questions on a new DM. The Persistent Menu is the hamburger (☰) list. Ice Breakers and Persistent Menu are Instagram-only automation types. - [Ask for a follow before you send the link](https://creatordm.com/support/ask-for-follow): On a Pro Instagram flow, add a Condition node set to ‘If user follows you’. The true path sends the link; the false path asks them to follow and offers an ‘I am following’ button that re-checks. New accounts include an Ask For Follow draft template. - [What is creatorDM?](https://creatordm.com/support/what-is-creatordm): creatorDM is Instagram and WhatsApp automation software. It uses official Meta APIs — never your password — to send DMs when someone comments, replies to a story, messages you, or taps an ice breaker, then can collect leads, ask for a follow, or hand the chat to an AI bot. - [Create a creatorDM account](https://creatordm.com/support/create-creatordm-account): Go to app.creatordm.com/sign-up, create an account with your email (no credit card), then connect Instagram or WhatsApp from Home using Meta’s official login. You can launch a comment-to-DM automation as soon as the account shows Active. - [creatorDM prerequisites (Instagram)](https://creatordm.com/support/creatordm-prerequisites): creatorDM needs an Instagram Creator or Business account linked to a Facebook Page you admin, plus Instagram Settings → Messages and story replies → Message controls → Connected tools → Allow access to messages ON. Personal accounts cannot use Meta messaging APIs. - [Unified Instagram inbox](https://creatordm.com/support/unified-inbox): Open Inbox in the app to see conversations from connected Instagram accounts. Automations still fire; you can take over a thread when a human should answer. Visiting Inbox also completes the Get started checklist. - [Build a link-in-bio website](https://creatordm.com/support/link-in-bio-website): Open Websites, create a site, drag blocks (about, shop, contact), and publish. Free includes one site. Use Open Website in a flow or paste the URL on Instagram. It is a real page — not a list of 12 tiny buttons. - [Collect emails and leads inside Instagram DMs](https://creatordm.com/support/getting-started-with-lead-gen): On a Pro automation, add Collect Input after your trigger or welcome message. Each prompt (email, phone, custom) waits for their next DM. Answers land in Contacts for CSV export, and you can attach an Email node. Sign up, connect Instagram with Meta, then use the Collect User Input template. - [Story reply automation](https://creatordm.com/support/story-reply-automation): Create an Instagram automation, add a Story Reply trigger, optionally add keywords or leave them empty for any reply, then connect a Send Message node. The optional reply text is sent as a DM, not a public story sticker. Requires a professional account connected through Meta. - [Live comment automation](https://creatordm.com/support/live-comment-automation): Add a Live Comments trigger to an Instagram automation. Keywords optional (empty = any live comment). The reply is a private inbox DM only — Instagram blocks public live comment replies from APIs. Follow-up messages send if the viewer writes back. - [DMs are not sending](https://creatordm.com/support/dms-not-sending): If DMs never arrive, check that Instagram or WhatsApp shows Active on Home, the automation is Live, Instagram Connected tools → Allow access to messages is ON, keywords actually matched, and you are under the Free 1,000 DM cap. WhatsApp only sends inside the 24-hour session. Then reconnect Meta if needed. - [Automation not triggering](https://creatordm.com/support/automation-not-triggering): Confirm the trigger type matches the event (post comment vs story reply vs DM), the selected post is the one they commented on (or you chose all posts), keywords contain the text they used, and the automation is bound to the same Instagram account that published the content. - [WhatsApp automation and Instagram handoff](https://creatordm.com/support/whatsapp-automation): Connect a WhatsApp Business number on Home, then create a WhatsApp Reply to DM automation (keywords or any message). On Instagram flows, add Delegate to WhatsApp so a button opens a pre-filled chat. Session messages only send for 24 hours after their last inbound message. ## Support FAQ Q: How do I connect Instagram to creatorDM? A: Sign in at app.creatordm.com, open Home, and click Connect Instagram. Complete Meta’s official login, pick your Creator or Business account and its Facebook Page, then grant messaging and comment permissions. creatorDM never asks for your Instagram password. Q: Why is my Instagram account missing from creatorDM? A: Meta only lists Instagram accounts that are Creator or Business, linked to a Facebook Page you admin, and included when you click Edit Settings on the Meta permissions screen. Remove the creatorDM Business Integration, then reconnect and check every Page and Instagram account. Q: How does comment-to-DM automation work? A: Create an Instagram automation, add a Post or Reel Comments trigger, optionally add keywords such as LINK or PRICE, then connect a Send Message node. When someone comments, creatorDM can post a public reply and send the private DM through Instagram’s official API. Q: Does creatorDM work on Instagram Stories and Lives? A: Yes. Story Reply triggers send a DM when someone replies to your story. Live Comments triggers send a private reply during the broadcast — Instagram does not allow public comment replies on Lives. Q: Is creatorDM safe for my Instagram account? A: Yes. creatorDM is a Meta-verified integration that uses official Instagram and WhatsApp Graph APIs. We never store your Instagram password, and sends follow platform pacing so your account stays in good standing. Q: What is included on the free plan? A: Free includes 1 connected account, 1,000 DMs per month, comment / story / inbox triggers, Persistent Menu, Ice Breakers, Quick Replies, one link-in-bio website, and up to 10 automations. No credit card is required. Q: What is creatorDM Pro? A: Pro adds unlimited DMs, up to 10 accounts, Collect Input lead capture, Ask for Follow, comment moderation, AI chatbots with Shopify / Notion / Cal.com, email automations, and unlimited contact export. See /pricing for current USD and INR prices. Q: Can I use creatorDM with WhatsApp? A: Yes. Connect a WhatsApp Business number from Home, then create a WhatsApp automation that replies to inbound DMs inside Meta’s 24-hour customer-care window. You can also add a “Move to WhatsApp” step on Instagram flows. ## Blog Articles - [Is Instagram DM Automation Allowed in 2026?](https://creatordm.com/blog/is-instagram-dm-automation-allowed-2026): Yes if the tool uses Meta’s official Instagram APIs and Meta login — not your password. What’s allowed in 2026, what gets accounts banned, and a safety checklist. - [Why Creators Are Leaving ManyChat for creatorDM in 2026: The $15/Mo Alternative](https://creatordm.com/blog/manychat-alternative-for-instagram-creators): Compare creatorDM and ManyChat. Avoid ManyChat’s contact tax with creatorDM’s flat $15/mo pricing, $5 account add-ons, built-in link in bio, AI takeover chat, Shopify, Notion, and WhatsApp. - [How to automatically DM people who comment on Instagram](https://creatordm.com/blog/automatically-dm-instagram-commenters): Set up a comment-to-DM automation: connect Instagram with Meta login, pick a keyword, write the message, and go live in about two minutes. - [What is Instagram DM automation?](https://creatordm.com/blog/what-is-instagram-dm-automation): Instagram DM automation sends a direct message when someone comments, replies to a story, or opens your inbox — using official Meta APIs, not your password. ## Sitemaps & Feeds - [XML Sitemap](https://creatordm.com/sitemap-index.xml): Complete index of all site pages - [RSS Feed](https://creatordm.com/rss.xml): Latest blog updates and articles - [App Signup](https://app.creatordm.com/sign-up): Create a free creatorDM account - [App Login](https://app.creatordm.com/sign-in): Sign in to your creatorDM dashboard