Limits, rules and troubleshooting
Instagram's messaging rules, Sygil's limits, and what to do when DMs do not send.
2 min read · Updated October 2026
Instagram's rules (Sygil handles these for you)
- One private reply per comment, within 7 days of the comment.
- Follow-up messages can be sent within 24 hours of the fan replying or tapping a button.
- Instagram may rate-limit sends. Sygil retries and resumes automatically.
Sygil limits
| Item | Limit |
|---|---|
| Automations per account | 100 |
| Keywords per automation | 20 (up to 100 characters each) |
| Specific posts per automation | 20 |
| Public reply variations | 5 (up to 300 characters) |
| Opening and follow messages | 640 characters |
| Button labels | 20 characters |
| Link buttons per message | 3 |
| Final message | 640 characters with buttons, 1,000 without |
My automation isn't sending DMs
- On Instagram, open Settings, Messages and story replies, Message controls, Connected tools, and turn on Allow access to messages.
- The automation is Live, not paused.
- The keyword matches. Use Test it in the editor.
- Your connection is healthy. Look for the amber dot and click Reconnect if it is amber.
- The post is in scope: for "Specific posts", that exact Reel is selected. For "Next post", you saved before publishing.
- The person already received this automation's DM and Send once per person is on.
- You are using an Instagram Business or Creator account.
Reasons shown in Activity
| Message | What to do |
|---|---|
| Your Instagram connection expired. Reconnect Instagram to resume Auto DMs. | Click Reconnect and approve again. |
| Instagram rate limit reached. Sending will resume automatically. | Wait. Nothing to do. |
| The messaging window closed before the DM could be sent. | The fan took too long. Ask them to comment again, or use the opening message button. |
| This person can't receive messages right now. | Nothing to do. It is a limit on their account. |
| Instagram blocked this message. Make sure "Allow access to messages" is on. | Fix the Instagram setting above. |
Staying on the right side of the rules
Do
- Only send content and links you have the right to share.
- Respond to people who asked for something.
- Make the call to action clear: "Comment GUIDE to get...".
- Disconnect Auto-DM if your account is restricted by Instagram.
Don't
- Send unsolicited promotions.
- Mislead people about what the link is.
- Run automations that spam, harass or phish.
- Share illegal content or content you do not own.