Skip to main content
Solved

Automation sequence with a condition

  • November 28, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 32 views
Andymvisuals

Hey there,

I try to set up a basic automation, starting with a comment to a post. Basically, I want to replicate the sequence below


01:07:18

Though when I set the second node in the sequence, Send Message, I’m not able to select Send within 24 hour option as I get the error Mark this message as a "Private Reply" if you want to send it as a reply to a post, reel comment, a follow action or share to story reply.

Thus, if I set it to Send as Private Reply, the socket Next Step becomes unavailable. As understand, a user in IG has to reply first to your initial message if one wants to send him follow-ups, additional info, etc.

Generally, I need to CTA first and only then I’ll be able to send a message with Send within 24-hour window and additional socket Next Step?

If a user doesn’t click the botton, I won’t be able to send any follow-ups, is that correct? If so, the whole sequence shown in the video doesn’t work. There should be another node in-between the initial message with a button and Actions and Smart Delay nodes.

UPD

According to the article, https://help.manychat.com/hc/en-us/articles/23431135317916-Share-to-DM-trigger 

When someone shares your content, they don’t automatically become a subscriber, and the 24-hour messaging window does not open. You can only send one message as a Private Reply.

Once the user interacts with your account — by clicking a button, selecting a quick reply, or sending a direct message — the 24-hour window opens, allowing you to send additional messages.


So, again, it seems like the whole sequence in the video doesn’t make sense since it’s not possible to interact with a user in any way other than Send as Private Reply mode.


 

Best answer by cata_rendon

Hi ​@Andymvisuals , I think you are referring to the flow below. As you can see, the trigger here is “User sends a message” — in that case, the user is the one starting the conversation, so you’re allowed to continue messaging them within the next 24 hours.

For comment triggers on posts or reels, you do need the user to click a first-interaction button in order to keep the conversation going.

Hope this clarifies!

Cheers,
Catalina Rendon

 

 

    5 replies

    cata_rendon
    Forum|alt.badge.img+3
    • cata_rendon
    • Manychat Community Moderator
    • Answer
    • November 28, 2025

    Hi ​@Andymvisuals , I think you are referring to the flow below. As you can see, the trigger here is “User sends a message” — in that case, the user is the one starting the conversation, so you’re allowed to continue messaging them within the next 24 hours.

    For comment triggers on posts or reels, you do need the user to click a first-interaction button in order to keep the conversation going.

    Hope this clarifies!

    Cheers,
    Catalina Rendon

     

     

    https://www.dominariai.com | www.linkedin.com/in/catalina-rendon-gamboa
    Andymvisuals
    • Andymvisuals
    • Author
    • Up-and-Comer
    • November 28, 2025

    I see, thanks Catalina. My fault, I haven’t noticed it in the video.

    Fabio Gaulke
    Forum|alt.badge.img+3
    • Fabio Gaulke
    • Manychat Community Moderator
    • November 28, 2025

    Hey, ​@Andymvisuals! ​@cata_rendon nailed it 100%.

    There’s an limitation (from Meta) regarding the Reply to Comment in Post/Reel trigger. If you use it, even with other triggers, the first message MUST be set as Private Reply and this disables the “next step” connector.

     

    Therefore, a good practice is setting this first block as some welcoming message to engage the user to click the first button in order to open the conversation window. After that you can make use of follow ups and any other logic/strategy you wish.

     

    And if you’re willing to use the comment trigger, but also the DM/ Story Reply, etc… I’d suggest to build one automation just for the Comment trigger and another for the DM+ triggers. At least it will be possible to implement the initial follow up for those users that interact with you via DM. 😉

    @fabio.gaulke | @monada.ag
    Andymvisuals
    • Andymvisuals
    • Author
    • Up-and-Comer
    • November 28, 2025

    Hey Fabio, thanks for the reply.
    What kind of automations I can use for sort of follow-up messages? For instance, some users don’t click buttons at all. I’ve been thinking about using tags as an initial trigger and a smart delay node, then a message node. 

    Fabio Gaulke
    Forum|alt.badge.img+3
    • Fabio Gaulke
    • Manychat Community Moderator
    • November 28, 2025

    Hey Fabio, thanks for the reply.
    What kind of automations I can use for sort of follow-up messages? For instance, some users don’t click buttons at all. I’ve been thinking about using tags as an initial trigger and a smart delay node, then a message node. 

     

    Unfortunately, there’s really no way to send any kind of message outside the 24h Messaging Window. 🙃

    If there’s no interaction from the user, nothing will work…

    Here you find some extra information about the Messaging Windows: https://help.manychat.com/hc/en-us/articles/23358636027932-Understanding-messaging-windows

     

    The “ key element” in this situation is using your creativity to make your audience develop urgency and interest to get something from you after triggering some automation.

    This could be via some kind of freebie, exclusive information or content and so on… something that makes the audience check the DM right after commenting the keyword. 

    It’s easy? No… but this is the way. 😅😉

     

     

    @fabio.gaulke | @monada.ag
    Community Terms & ConditionsCookie settingsAccessibility statement