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Controlling reel redirection in FB Messenger and Instagram Direct Message

  • March 24, 2026
  • 1 comment
  • 25 views
random-user

I have set up automation flows to send Reel URLs to users via Facebook Messenger and Instagram Direct Message. I have already disabled ManyChat’s Card URL Shortener to avoid redirection issues.

However, during testing, I’ve noticed inconsistent behavior: sometimes the link opens the video directly in the native Instagram/Facebook app, but other times it opens the Reel in the in-app browser instead.

Is there a way to make this behavior more consistent? My goal is to ensure users are always redirected to the native app to watch the Reel.

    1 reply

    Fabio Gaulke
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    • Fabio Gaulke
    • Community Moderator
    • April 13, 2026

    Hi, ​@random-user!

     

    That is a very common issue with Meta apps… 🫠

    The best way I found out to open it directly in the corresponding app is using some redirections/shortening tool (like Switchy) with a Deep Linking feature (it forces the app opening).

     

    This normally works 99% of the time.

     

    Hope it helps 🙌

    @fabio.gaulke | @monada.ag
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