Instagram bot account

Five steps to set up an account that openly acts as a bot and broadcasts a message.

The steps

1

Create the account

Sign up in the Instagram app with an email or phone number, a username and a password.

2

Switch to a Professional account

Choose Business or Creator. It is free, and automation tools only work with this type.

Settings → Account type and tools
3

Label it as a bot

Put "automated account" in the name or bio. Do not pose as a real person or another brand.

4

Pick how you broadcast

Choose one of the two options below.

5

Test before going public

Send a message from a second account and check that the reply looks right.

Step 4: two ways to broadcast

Option A

Broadcast channel

You post→Channel→All members
  • Instagram's own one-to-many feature
  • Followers choose to join
  • Good for announcements
  • You post by hand
  • Availability depends on account type and region
Option B

Chatbot service

Someone messages→Trigger→Auto reply
  • ManyChat, Chatfuel or similar
  • Connect the account, write the message
  • Triggers: DM keyword, post comment, story reply
  • Fully automatic
  • Only replies to people who contact you first

Rules that keep the account safe

Do

  • Reply within about 24 hours of a person's last message
  • Connect tools through Meta's official login
  • Check Instagram's current limits when you set up

Don't

  • Mass-DM followers who never messaged you
  • Give your Instagram password to a third-party app
  • Pretend the bot is a human

Your checklist