---
title: "Instagram affiliate link automation: send links by DM"
description: "Instagram affiliate link automation: send affiliate links by DM when people comment a keyword. Setup, templates, disclosure basics and metrics."
url: https://replyrep.io/use-cases/affiliate-links
updated: 2026-10-19
---

# Instagram affiliate link automation for creators

Instagram affiliate link automation sends your affiliate or storefront link by DM to everyone who comments a keyword like LINK or the product name. ReplyRep sends it about three seconds after the comment, so the link arrives while the viewer still wants the product. It replaces "link in bio" for creators who earn from Amazon, LTK, brand codes or any affiliate program.

## How does affiliate link automation work?

You post a reel featuring a product. The caption says "Comment LINK and I'll send it to you." Every keyword comment fires a DM with your affiliate link and, if you like, a code. The viewer taps once and is on the product page with your tracking attached.

For a haul or a roundup, each product can have its own keyword on the same reel, or one keyword can send a single link to a storefront page that lists them all.

## Why is a DM better than "link in bio" for affiliates?

- **Fewer taps, more clicks.** Every step between the reel and the product page loses buyers, and commissions only come from clicks.
- **The right product.** The bio link points at everything. The DM points at the thing in the video.
- **Old reels keep earning.** A reel that resurfaces months later still answers every LINK comment.
- **More reach.** Keyword comments are engagement, which helps the reel travel further.

## How do you set it up?

1. **Get the tracked link.** Copy the product link from your affiliate program or storefront. Check it opens on mobile and keeps your tracking.
2. **Add the keyword to the reel.** LINK works for single products. For roundups, use the product name (BLENDER, SERUM) so each comment gets the right link.
3. **Write a short DM with a disclosure.** One line on the product, the link, and a plain note that it is an affiliate link.
4. **Add a suggestion.** After the link, Suggest More can point to the next product people usually buy, or your full storefront.
5. **Arm it before you post.** Set the automation on the reel before it goes live, so the first wave of comments gets the link too.

## What are the disclosure basics?

This is general guidance, not legal advice. In the US, the FTC expects influencers to disclose a financial relationship with a brand clearly, including affiliate commissions. Many other countries have similar rules. Disclose in the post and in the DM itself, in plain words: "This is an affiliate link, I earn a small commission if you buy." Your affiliate program will also have its own requirements, so read them.

## Affiliate link DM templates

**Single product reel**
- Comment keyword: LINK
- Public reply: Sent, check your DMs
- DM: Here's the one from the video, {first_name}: / {link} /  / (Affiliate link, I earn a small commission at no cost to you.)
- Follow up: It's back to full price on Monday, in case you were waiting: {link}

**Haul with a code**
- Comment keyword: SERUM
- DM: Hey {first_name}, here's the serum: / {link} /  / Code {code} takes 10% off. Affiliate link, so I earn a little if you use it.

**Storefront roundup**
- Comment keyword: SHOP
- DM: Everything from today's reel is on one page: / {link} /  / The lamp is the one people ask about most. Affiliate links.

There are more in the [affiliate link DM templates](https://replyrep.io/templates/affiliate-link).

## What should the caption say?

"Comment LINK and I'll DM you where to get it." Put it in the first line and on screen. Add the disclosure in the caption as well (for example #ad or "affiliate link"), so it is visible before anyone comments.

**Make every reel answer its own "link?"** Add a keyword to your next reel and send the affiliate link automatically.

## How do you handle a roundup or haul reel?

A haul with eight products is where the bio link fails hardest, because nobody can tell which of forty storefront items was the one at 0:14. You have two clean options.

- **One keyword per product.** SERUM, CLEANSER, MIST. Each sends its own link. Best when two or three products carry the reel.
- **One keyword, one page.** SHOP sends a storefront collection built for that reel, with products in the order they appear. Best for five or more.
- **Pin a comment** listing the keywords, so late viewers know what to type.
- **Retire keywords** when the reel stops getting views, or switch the DM to your evergreen favourites page.

## Which features do affiliate creators use?

| Feature | What it does in this play | Plan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Comment to DM](https://replyrep.io/features/instagram-comment-to-dm) | Sends the affiliate link on the keyword | Every plan |
| [Follow-Gated DMs](https://replyrep.io/features/follow-to-get-link) | Turns link requests into followers | Lite and up |
| Suggest More | Points to the next product or your storefront | Lite and up |
| [Viral post DM queue](https://replyrep.io/features/viral-post-dm-queue) | Holds DMs over the sending limit when a reel spikes | Lite and up |

## Metrics and mistakes

- **Track** keyword comments per reel, clicks and conversions in your affiliate dashboard, and earnings per reel.
- **Avoid** dead links: products go out of stock and programs change URLs. Check old reels that still get comments.
- **Avoid** skipping the disclosure in the DM because it is in the caption. The DM is where they click.
- **Avoid** the same keyword for different products on different reels if you use Global Triggers. Global keywords answer everywhere.

Affiliate creators should also read [comment for link on Instagram](https://replyrep.io/guides/comment-for-link-instagram), which covers the format end to end, and the [affiliate marketer page](https://replyrep.io/for/affiliate-marketers).

Sources:
- [FTC: Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/disclosures-101-social-media-influencers)

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I send Amazon affiliate links in Instagram DMs?

The DM sends whatever link you put in it. Whether a program allows links in private messages is set by that program's own terms, and some are strict about where links appear. Check your program's policy before you automate it.

### Do I need to disclose affiliate links in DMs?

Disclosure rules focus on the person seeing the link knowing about the commission. The DM is where the link is clicked, so disclosing there, as well as in the caption, is the safe habit. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

### How do I send different links from one reel?

Give each product its own keyword on the reel, such as SERUM and CLEANSER. Each keyword sends its own DM. Or send one link to a storefront page that lists every product from the video.

### Does a follow gate hurt affiliate clicks?

It adds one tap, so a few people drop off. In exchange, every link request becomes a follower who sees your next reel. Many creators gate evergreen reels and leave time-limited deals ungated.

Last updated 2026-10-19. Source: https://replyrep.io/use-cases/affiliate-links