When you connect an Instagram account to Wati, Wati automatically creates 2 built-in rules: IG Welcome Message and IG Out of Office Message. These rules let you automatically reply to new Instagram conversations based on your working hours.

The built-in rules are created but not active. Customize the messages and filters you need, then switch the rules ON.

The 2 built-in rules are designed to work together: the Welcome Message handles new conversations during working hours, while the Out of Office Message handles new conversations outside working hours.

By default, the IG Out of Office Message rule runs when both conditions are met:

The rule runs once for the conversation. For example, if someone sends 5 messages after hours, they receive the Out of Office reply only once, on their first message.

If you want the Out of Office message to be sent only to contacts you have not interacted with before:

By default, the IG Welcome Message rule runs when:

The Welcome and Out of Office rules are complementary. Together, they provide an automated first response to new Instagram conversations based on when the message is received.

You can add a keyword filter to the Welcome Message rule to send different responses based on what the customer asks.

For example, you can configure a keyword for a specific product so customers receive product information instead of a generic welcome message.

You can also create a separate rule with a keyword filter for more specific Instagram DM automations.

You can customize either built-in rule to change its filters or automated message.

Your Wati working hours control when the Welcome and Out of Office rules run. If you change your working hours, you do not need to edit the rules.

Wati automatically creates 2 built-in rules: IG Welcome Message and IG Out of Office Message. The Welcome Message handles new Instagram conversations during working hours, while the Out of Office Message handles new conversations outside working hours.

No. The IG Welcome Message and IG Out of Office Message rules are created but not active. You must customize them as needed and switch the rules ON.

The IG Out of Office Message rule runs when a contact starts a new chat and their message arrives outside your Wati working hours.

No. The IG Out of Office Message rule runs once per conversation. If a contact sends multiple messages after hours, they receive the Out of Office reply only on their first message.

Open IG Out of Office Message, add the Contact does not exist filter, click Save, and switch the rule ON.

The IG Welcome Message rule runs when a new contact starts a conversation and the message arrives during your Wati working hours.

Yes. You can add a keyword filter to the IG Welcome Message rule so that customers receive different responses based on what they ask. For example, you can configure a product keyword to send product information instead of a generic welcome message.