# Comment-to-DM and auto-replies

Source: https://social9.com/docs/engage/comment-to-dm

> Reply automatically when a comment contains a keyword, and send the person a private message on Instagram and Facebook.

An auto-reply rule answers comments that contain a keyword, such as "price" or "link", in public, by private message, or both.

**Which plan:** All plans.

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## Where to find it

**Dashboard → Inbox → Auto-replies.** Rules belong to the brand picked at the top.

![The Inbox, where the Auto-replies tab sits next to Conversations and Setup](https://social9.com/docs/screenshots/inbox.png)

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## How to make a rule

1. Under **New rule**, give it a **Name**, for example "Price questions".
2. Add **Keywords (comma separated)**, for example `price, how much, cost`. Choose **Any keyword** or **All keywords**.
3. Write the **Public reply**, the **Private message (Facebook / Instagram)**, or both. Use `{name}` for the person's first name.
4. Press **Add rule**.

The rule answers new comments from then on. It never answers old comments, and it answers each comment only once.

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## How to send a private reply yourself

1. Open the comment in **Conversations**.
2. Write your message.
3. Press **Reply privately**.

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## Good to know

- Rules work on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn Pages, Threads, Bluesky and Mastodon. They never post on X.
- **Private messages** work on Instagram and Facebook only, and only once Meta has approved messaging for Social9. Until then **Setup** shows **Waiting for Meta approval** and only the public reply is sent.
- The Facebook Page or Instagram business account must be connected with the right permissions. Reconnect it on **Channels** if **Setup** says one is missing.
- Instagram and Facebook allow one private reply per comment, within 7 days of the comment.
- Each rule shows how many times it was used. Turn a rule off with its switch. Deleting a rule keeps the replies it already sent.
- You need permission to edit the brand (Owner, Admin or Editor) to add or change rules.
- Keep replies helpful and varied. Networks can limit accounts that post the same reply many times.

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## Related

- [Inbox](https://social9.com/docs/engage/inbox)
- [Instagram](https://social9.com/docs/networks/instagram)
- [Facebook](https://social9.com/docs/networks/facebook)
- [Team and roles](https://social9.com/docs/account/team-and-roles)