Summary
You can use Wati chatbots on Instagram to automate replies, collect information, qualify leads, route conversations to your team, and collect WhatsApp numbers.
Instagram supports a smaller set of chatbot nodes than WhatsApp.
This guide explains how to create an Instagram chatbot, check which nodes are supported, build a flow, and trigger the chatbot using a Rule.
Instructions
Create an Instagram chatbot
Go to Automations > Chatbots.
Click Add chatbot.
Select Instagram.
Drag supported nodes from the left panel onto the canvas and connect them to create your flow.
Click Save and test the flow from start to finish.
Check which nodes are supported
Before building your flow, check which nodes are available for Instagram.
Chatbots that support Instagram show an Instagram icon next to their name in the chatbot list.
In the chatbot editor, Instagram-supported nodes appear in their own tab.
Nodes that are not supported are greyed out.
Build your flow using supported nodes from the start. Replacing an unsupported node after connecting the flow may require you to rebuild parts of the flow.
Instagram chatbot nodes
Plan | Available nodes |
All plans | Send a Message, Ask a Question, Set a Condition, Template Message |
Pro and Business | All nodes above, plus AI Assist, Set Tags, Assign Team, Assign User, Update Chat Status, Time Delay, Webhook, Google Spreadsheet |
Important: Webhooks in Wati's Chatbot Builder allow you to send and receive real-time data between your chatbot and external applications using GET or POST API requests. This feature enables dynamic chatbot interactions, such as fetching user details, verifying data, or integrating with third-party services.
To learn more about the Webhook node, see our guide.
Nodes not supported on Instagram
The following nodes or features are not available when building an Instagram chatbot:
Buttons and lists inside an Ask a Question node
Subscribe and Unsubscribe nodes
Catalog messages
WhatsApp Flows
Trigger Chatbot node
The Trigger Chatbot node is not available, so one Instagram chatbot cannot start another Instagram chatbot.
Example: Build a registration chatbot
You can create a registration chatbot that collects a contact's name and email address, then confirms the information they provided.
The example flow uses 4 nodes:
# | Node | What it does |
1 | Instagram Template | Starts the flow with a button template. The message introduces the course and gives the contact 2 options: Register Now and Explore more courses. The message can also use a variable for the contact's name. |
2 | Ask a Question | Asks for the contact's full name and stores the answer in a variable. |
3 | Ask a Question | Asks for the contact's email address and stores the answer. The message explains why the email address is needed. |
4 | Send a message | Confirms the name and email address collected in the previous steps so the contact can check for errors. The flow ends after this message. |
Why start with a button template?
The first node in the example is an Instagram Template with buttons. Starting with a button template:
Lets the contact tap an option instead of entering free text.
Makes the chatbot available as an action for an Instagram comment rule.
Only chatbots whose first node is a button template appear as options for the comment rule. See Comment-to-DM automation for Instagram.
Customize the chatbot flow
You can adapt the registration flow to different use cases.
Change the content type in the Send a message node to text, image, video, or audio.
Add a Set a Condition node after the template to create different paths based on the button the contact selects. For example, Explore more courses can lead to a different flow than Register Now.
Replace the second Ask a Question node with an AI Assist node if you want to collect a WhatsApp number instead of an email address. See Collect WhatsApp numbers from Instagram with AI Assist.
Test the entire flow from a different Instagram account before activating the Rule that triggers it. This helps you identify issues such as a flow stopping before the final confirmation message.
Trigger the Instagram chatbot
An Instagram chatbot starts when a Rule triggers it.
Go to Automation > Rules and create a new rule.
Set the trigger to New Instagram DM is Received.
Add the filters that should trigger the chatbot, such as a keyword, working hours, or contact condition.
In Action, select Start a Chatbot, then choose your Instagram chatbot.
Click Save and switch the rule ON.
See How to set up Instagram DM automations for more information about the available filters.
Consider the Instagram messaging window
A chatbot reply is treated as an automated reply and has a shorter messaging window than a human reply i.e 24 hours. Keep this in mind when designing a chatbot that includes Time Delay nodes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Instagram chatbot basics
1. What can I use an Instagram chatbot for?
An Instagram chatbot can automate replies, collect information, qualify leads, route conversations to a team, and collect WhatsApp numbers.
2. Which chatbot nodes are available on Instagram?
On all plans, Instagram supports Send a Message, Ask a Question, Set a Condition, and Template Message. On the Pro and Business plans, Instagram also supports AI Assist, Set Tags, Assign Team, Assign User, Update Chat Status, Time Delay, Webhook, and Google Spreadsheet.
3. Which chatbot nodes are not supported on Instagram?
Instagram does not support buttons and lists inside an Ask a Question node, Subscribe and Unsubscribe nodes, Catalog messages, WhatsApp Flows, or the Trigger Chatbot node. Because the Trigger Chatbot node is not supported, one Instagram chatbot cannot start another Instagram chatbot.
Instagram chatbot flows
4. Why should I use a button template as the first node of an Instagram chatbot?
A button template lets contacts choose an option instead of entering free text. Chatbots whose first node is a button template can also be selected as an action for an Instagram comment rule.
5. Can I customize an Instagram chatbot flow for different use cases?
Yes. You can change the content type in a Send a message node to text, image, video, or audio. You can also use Set a Condition to create different paths based on a selected button, or use AI Assist to collect a WhatsApp number instead of an email address.
Instagram chatbot messaging
6. How long is the messaging window for an Instagram chatbot reply?
An Instagram chatbot reply is treated as an automated reply and has a 24-hour messaging window. This is important when designing chatbot flows that include Time Delay nodes.