Glossary
Instagram DM
Also called: Instagram Direct · Instagram direct message · Instagram messaging API
An Instagram DM is a private direct message sent on Instagram; businesses with a professional account can answer them from other software through Meta’s Instagram messaging API.
Only professional accounts, Business or Creator, can connect their messages to outside tools, and the account owner must allow it in Instagram’s settings. Replies to a story arrive as direct messages too.
Like WhatsApp, Instagram has a 24-hour window: a business may reply freely within 24 hours of the person’s last message. Meta allows a human agent to reply for up to 7 days, but not automated messages. Many teams answer Instagram from the same omnichannel inbox as their other channels.
How Risti does it
Before connecting, turn on Instagram › Settings › Messages and story replies › Connected tools › Allow access to messages. Then press Continue with Instagram: Risti opens Instagram in the same tab, not a popup, and comes back with “Instagram is connected: @handle.” Steps: Connect Instagram.
Direct messages, story replies and post comments arrive in the inbox; comments can be answered publicly or privately, hidden or shown. Replies to direct messages follow the 24-hour window; a private reply to a post comment can go out for up to 7 days. Text goes up to 1,000 characters and files up to 8 MB, with no voice messages and no editing or deleting. Risti can’t publish posts or read your feed or followers.