---
title: "Instagram automation glossary: DM and API terms explained | ReplyRep"
description: "Plain-English definitions of Instagram DM automation terms: comment-to-DM, private replies, the 24-hour window, rate limits, follow gates and more."
url: https://replyrep.io/glossary
updated: 2026-10-19
---

# Glossary
Plain-English definitions of Instagram DM automation terms: comment-to-DM, private replies, the 24-hour window, rate limits, follow gates and more.
- [What is comment-to-DM on Instagram?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/comment-to-dm): What is comment-to-DM on Instagram? How a keyword comment triggers an automatic DM, the Meta rules behind it, and an example you can copy.
- [What is a private reply on Instagram?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/private-reply): What is a private reply on Instagram? Meta's rules for DMing a commenter: one message per comment, 7 days, 750 an hour, and where it lands.
- [What is the Instagram messaging window?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/messaging-window): What is the Instagram messaging window? Which actions open it, why it usually lasts 24 hours, and what businesses can send once it closes.
- [What is the human agent tag on Instagram?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/human-agent-tag): What is the human agent tag on Instagram? How HUMAN_AGENT lets a person reply up to 7 days later, when it is allowed, and why bots can't use it.
- [What is an active contact in ManyChat?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/active-contact): What is an active contact in ManyChat? How per-contact billing works, ManyChat's tiers and overage as of October 2026, and a worked cost example.
- [What is a global trigger on Instagram?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/global-trigger): What is a global trigger on Instagram? How one account-wide keyword answers on every post, reel, story and DM, with examples and plan limits.
- [What is a follow gate on Instagram?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/follow-gate): What is a follow gate on Instagram? How follow-gated DMs check the follow before sending the link, a template, and when to use one.
- [What is a lead magnet on Instagram?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/lead-magnet): What is a lead magnet on Instagram? How free guides, checklists and codes are delivered by DM, with an example and how to collect emails.
- [What is a story mention on Instagram?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/story-mention): What is a story mention on Instagram? How tagging works, when Meta notifies your account, and how to auto-reply to every mention.
- [What is an Instagram API rate limit?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/rate-limit): What is an Instagram API rate limit? Meta's limits on private replies and DMs, what happens on a viral post, and how tools queue the overflow.
- [What is the Instagram Graph API?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/instagram-graph-api): What is the Instagram Graph API? Meta's official API for professional accounts explained: what it does, the two login setups, and why it matters.
- [What are Instagram ice breakers?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/ice-breakers): What are Instagram ice breakers? The tappable FAQ prompts in a new DM chat: Meta's limits, examples by business type and how to set them up.
- [What is a keyword trigger on Instagram?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/keyword-trigger): What is a keyword trigger on Instagram? How a comment or DM keyword starts an automation, how to choose good keywords, and examples.
- [What are message requests on Instagram?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/message-requests): What are message requests on Instagram? Why DMs from non-followers land in Requests, what that means for auto-DMs, and how to make sure they're seen.
- [What is an Instagram professional account?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/instagram-professional-account): What is an Instagram professional account? Business vs creator, why DM automation needs one, and whether you still need a Facebook Page.
- [What is a DM funnel on Instagram?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/dm-funnel): What is a DM funnel on Instagram? The stages from comment to sale inside direct messages, a worked example, and Meta's rules to plan around.
- [What is opt-in for Instagram DMs?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/opt-in): What is opt-in for Instagram DMs? Meta's consent rules for messaging, what a comment does and doesn't permit, and how to collect emails properly.
- [What is conversion rate for Instagram DMs?](https://replyrep.io/glossary/conversion-rate): What is conversion rate for Instagram DMs? The formula, a worked funnel example from comment to sale, and how to measure each step.