Overview

Set up comment-to-DM keyword triggers in ManyChat so a viewer commenting a keyword on an Instagram post/Reel (or DMing the keyword on TikTok) automatically receives a DM with the linked asset. This enables seamless lead capture and content distribution through social media CTAs.

Before You Start

ManyChat account is active and connected to both Instagram Business and TikTok Business accounts
Instagram is a Business (or Creator) account linked to a Facebook Page — required for ManyChat's comment triggers
TikTok Business account connected (note: DM-to-DM only, not comment-to-DM)
Destination URL for the asset you're pointing people to (YouTube video, lead magnet, guide, etc.)
Confirmed which post(s) or Reel(s) should fire the trigger
Access to Notion CTAs database for keyword registry tracking

Steps

Navigate to ManyChat → Automation → New Automation → choose Instagram
Set Trigger to "User comments on your Post or Reel"
Set Scope to Specific Posts/Reels → select the target posts that carry this CTA
Configure keyword match with your chosen keyword (e.g., SKILLS) — set to case-insensitive, "contains" match
Set Action to Send Instagram Private Reply with message + destination URL (example: "Here's the full breakdown — [URL]. Let me know what you build.")
Add optional public comment reply with short acknowledgment like "Sent! Check your DMs."
Save and toggle automation Live
For TikTok setup: Create new automation → choose TikTok → set trigger to "User sends a DM" with your keyword
Configure TikTok action to send DM with destination URL (note: only works for existing followers)
Test Instagram flow by commenting keyword from second account → verify DM arrives
Test TikTok flow by DMing keyword from test follower account → verify DM fires
Update Notion CTAs database with new keyword entry and mark as LIVE
Check keyword registry in Section 8 to ensure no conflicts with existing triggers

Quality Check

Comment the keyword from test account on target post → DM arrives in ManyChat inbox
Same DM appears in actual Instagram DM thread (not just ManyChat's UI)
Link in DM opens and points to correct asset
Link clicks tracking in ManyChat analytics (check after ~1 hour)
Public comment reply (if enabled) posts correctly under test comment
TikTok: DM keyword from test follower account → DM fires correctly
No other live automation uses same keyword (search in ManyChat → Automation list)

Common Issues

Comment doesn't trigger DM: Confirm automation is Live (not Draft), "Send as Private Reply" enabled, post in automation scope, keyword match not too strict (use "contains" + case-insensitive)
DM doesn't send to existing conversation: Instagram enforces 24-hour messaging window — Private Reply path (fresh comment) bypasses this limitation
Keyword collision: If two automations share keyword, ManyChat fires only one (usually older) — search keyword in Automation list and retire duplicates
TikTok comment doesn't work: Expected behavior — TikTok US doesn't support comment-to-DM, only DM-to-DM from followers
Instagram disconnected: ManyChat → Settings → Instagram → reconnect (happens after Meta password resets)

ManyChat Keyword Trigger Setup