Instagram auto reply message examples you can copy and paste

What a good auto reply does

It answers first. If someone asks what time you close, the first words they see should be the time.

Here's the same message written two ways. Someone DMs a cafe at 5:40pm asking if they're still open.

• The usual version

  Thank you for contacting us. A member of our team will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

  Copy

• The useful version

  Hi! We're open until 6pm today, so you've got about 20 minutes. Want to see the menu?

  Copy

The second one is short and has the answer, a little warmth and a next step. The first one has none of those.

A few habits that hold up across every example below. Keep it to one or two sentences. Use your business name once, so people know they reached the right place. Write the way you write your captions. And if someone sincerely asks whether they're talking to a person, tell them the truth. It costs you nothing, and people tend to forgive a bot far more easily than a fake human.

Before you paste anything

Every example uses [square brackets] for the parts that are yours. Fill in real details, and check them again whenever something changes. An auto reply that quotes last winter's hours does more damage than having no auto reply, because the customer turns up and you're shut.

Also read each one as the customer. Does it make them do extra work? "Tell us what you need" is fine. "Please fill in the following details" is a form, and people don't fill in forms in DMs.

If you'll be pasting the same hours, prices and policies into several replies, write them down once somewhere you can update. Here's what that looks like in Tawlki: plain sentences, one topic per paragraph, no special format.

Greeting and first reply

The first message sets the tone, so keep it light and give people somewhere to go.

• Simple welcome

  Hi! Thanks for messaging [Business]. How can we help you today?

  Copy

• Welcome with a next step

  Hi, and welcome to [Business]! Tell us what you're looking for and we'll point you the right way.

  Copy

• Returning customer

  Welcome back to [Business]! Great to hear from you again. What can we do for you today?

  Copy

• Welcome with options

  Thanks for getting in touch with [Business]. Ask us about prices, opening hours or bookings and we'll help right away.

  Copy

Opening hours and location

These are the questions you answer fifty times a week. Say them once, properly, and let the reply do the repeating.

• Hours

  We're open [days] from [time] to [time]. We'd love to see you!

  Copy

• Hours and address

  You can find us at [address]. We're open [days], [time] to [time].

  Copy

• Holiday hours

  Our hours are different this week: [dates and times]. We're back to normal from [date].

  Copy

Away and after-hours messages

Only promise a reply time you can keep. "First thing tomorrow" works if you really do open the inbox first thing. If you don't, say "within a day" and beat it.

• Out of hours

  Thanks for your message! We're closed right now and open again at [time]. We'll reply as soon as we're back.

  Copy

• Busy period

  We're very busy at the moment, so replies are taking a little longer than usual. We'll get back to you today.

  Copy

• Closed for the day

  Thank you for contacting [Business]. We've finished for the day and will reply first thing tomorrow.

  Copy

Prices and services

Give the number. Many people who ask about price and get "contact us for a quote" go and ask somebody else.

• Price question

  [Service] is [price] and takes about [time]. Would you like to book it?

  Copy

• Price list

  Here's our price list. If something isn't listed, tell us what you need and we'll help.

  Copy

• Discount code

  Here's your [X]% code: [CODE]. It's valid until [date].

  Copy

• Custom quote

  The price depends on what you need. Tell us a little about it and we'll send you a quote.

  Copy

Bookings and appointments

• Offering times

  We have [time] and [time] free on [day]. Which suits you?

  Copy

• Booking confirmed

  You're booked in for [day] at [time]. We've sent the details to [email]. See you then!

  Copy

• Rescheduling

  No problem. Tell us a time that works better and we'll move your booking.

  Copy

Offering two specific times beats "when are you free?" every time. One question, two options, and the customer can answer with a single word.

Orders, delivery and returns

These are the messages where a customer is already a bit worried, so lead with the fact and keep the apology short.

• Delivery times

  We deliver within [area] in [days]. Delivery is [price or free over amount].

  Copy

• Order status

  Thanks for asking! Send us your order number and we'll check where it's.

  Copy

• Returns

  You can return items within [days] if they're unused. Message us your order number and we'll help.

  Copy

• Shipping delay

  Your order is taking a little longer than planned. It should reach you by [date], and we're sorry for the wait.

  Copy

• Out of stock

  That item is out of stock right now. Tell us your size and we'll message you when it's back.

  Copy

Replies to comments

Two messages work together here. A short public reply under the comment, then a DM with the actual thing. Keep the public one tiny, because everyone can read it.

• Public reply to a keyword comment

  Thanks for asking! We've sent you the details in a DM.

  Copy

• Public thank you

  Thank you so much! We're glad you like it.

  Copy

• Offer by comment

  Comment [WORD] and we'll send you the [offer] in your DMs.

  Copy

Thank you and follow up

• After a purchase

  Thank you for your order! If anything isn't right, message us and we'll fix it.

  Copy

• Review request

  Thanks for choosing [Business]! If you enjoyed it, we'd love a review: [link].

  Copy

• After a visit

  Thanks for visiting [Business]! We'd love to see you again soon.

  Copy

Collecting contact details

Ask for one thing, and say why. People hand over an email when they can see what they get for it.

• Asking for an email

  Want the [guide or offer]? Share your email and we'll send it over right here.

  Copy

• Asking for a phone number

  Happy to help with that. What's the best number to reach you on?

  Copy

What these look like in a real inbox

Templates only get you so far, because real customers ask two things in one message. Here a customer wants to know about oat milk and closing time in a single DM, and the reply handles both.

That's the gap with fixed replies, which we get to next.

Where Instagram's built-in auto replies stop

Instagram lets business and creator accounts add up to four frequently asked questions to chats, each with an automated answer. Meta Business Suite also offers an instant reply to a first message and an away message for when you're unavailable.

Both send the same text to everyone. They can't answer a question you never wrote a reply for, book an appointment or collect a lead. If you get the same four questions all day, they're enough. If your customers ask a hundred different things, an assistant like Tawlki reads each question and answers from your own prices, hours and policies, and steps aside when you reply yourself.