Breaking Instagram News: You Can FINALLY Automatically DM New Followers. Here’s How to Use It to Skyrocket Your Business the Smart Way

How to set up Instagram’s new auto-DM feature so you can automatically send new followers a message in Instagram right when they follow you and use it to skyrocket your online business.

Instagram just quietly changed the game for small business owners, creators, and anyone running an online brand—because you can now automatically DM every new follower the second they hit “Follow.” This matters more than people realize. Instagram has openly said that users now spend the majority of their time in DMs, not the feed. That’s why they’ve been redesigning the app around DMs and Reels: following the behavior of how people actually use the app.

This new auto-DM feature taps directly into that shift. Instead of letting followers drift into the algorithm and forget you exist, you can greet them instantly, learn who they are, and help them right away. You’re entering the conversation at the exact moment they’re most interested in you. When you do that, your trust, engagement, and income grow—fast.

Let’s walk through how this works, why DMs are becoming the most important place on Instagram, and clear examples of how any kind of business can use this smarter than everyone else.

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What This New Feature Actually Is

Even though it feels like a brand-new Instagram toggle, this isn’t a setting inside the app. Here’s what’s actually happening:

• Instagram (through Meta) added a new “new follower” trigger to its official Messaging API.

• Approved tools—like ManyChat—can now send a DM instantly when someone follows you.

• It’s fully allowed under Instagram’s rules.

Before:

1. Someone follows

2. Nothing happens

3. They forget your content within 48 hours

Now:

1. Someone follows

2. They get a warm welcome

3. You learn what they need

4. You guide them to a helpful resource

This transforms a casual follow into a real relationship.

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Why Instagram Is Shifting Into a DM-First App

Instagram has shared that users spend more time in DMs than anywhere else on the platform. That’s why they’re:

• putting DMs front and center

• releasing new DM tools

• encouraging private sharing

• leaning into Reels → DM behavior

• rewarding accounts that spark real conversations

DMs feel personal. People ask real questions there. They share posts privately. They make buying decisions. Instagram is following the behavior, and smart business owners need to follow it too.

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How to Set It Up (Simple Version)

Here’s the quickest explanation:

1. Sign up or log into ManyChat.

2. Connect your Instagram Business/Creator account.

3. Turn on the “new follower → DM” automation.

4. Write a short, friendly welcome message.

5. Ask one simple question or offer one helpful choice.

6. Route each answer to a small, helpful resource.

You can set this up in under 20 minutes.

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Five Smart Ways to Use This (With Universal Examples)

These strategies work for any business. I’ll show you broad examples plus specific niche ones so you can see how flexible this is.

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1. The “Pick Your Path” Welcome

Goal: Learn what each follower actually needs.

Ask a simple question that helps you tag people by interest.

Examples:

Online physical therapist:
“What’s hurting most right now?
A) Back pain
B) Knee pain
C) Shoulder pain”

Social media manager:
“What do you need help with first?
A) Getting clients
B) Content ideas
C) Consistency”

Etsy candle shop:
“What scents do you love?
A) Clean
B) Warm
C) Seasonal”

Each answer helps you guide them to the right next step.

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2. The “Launch Radar” Filter

Goal: Identify followers who are warm leads.

During a launch, adjust your welcome question:

Examples:

Business coach:
“When are you trying to hit your next income milestone?
A) 3 months
B) 6 months
C) Someday”

Physical therapist selling mobility programs:
“How soon do you want to solve your pain?
A) ASAP
B) This month
C) Browsing”

People tell you exactly how warm they are.

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3. The “Starter Pack” Guide

Goal: Help new followers know where to start.

Most followers don’t know what to do first. This fixes that.

Examples:

Online physical therapist:
“What do you want first?
A) Quick mobility routine
B) Pain-free desk setup
C) Tight hips warmup”

Local salon:
“What are you curious about?
A) Skincare basics
B) Anti-aging
C) Acne help”

Food creator:
“What should I send you?
A) Beginner baking
B) Healthy treats
C) Air fryer favorites”

Instant clarity, instant trust.

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4. The “Audience Brain Scan”

Goal: Extract real insights from real users.

Ask one universal question:

“If you could fix one thing next month, what would it be? Just type it here.”

Followers will tell you—clearly—what they’re struggling with.

This becomes:

• content topics

• product ideas

• launch angles

• sales copy

• email subjects

• hook language

Real people → real language → better marketing.

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5. The “DM → Email Bridge”

Goal: Move warm conversations into email.

DMs start trust. Email deepens it.

Examples:

Physical therapist:
“Want my full pain-recovery plan? Drop your email so you can save it.”

Creator educator:
“Want my content system? I’ll send the full walkthrough to your email.”

Photographer:
“Want my posing guide? I can email it to you.”

DMs and email should work together.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the traps to avoid:

• Pitching too fast
People need connection first.

• Writing too much
The first DM must be short.

• Sounding robotic
Talk like a human, not a bot.

• Setting and forgetting
Review every few weeks.
Improve the question, the wording, the resources.

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The Bottom Line

Instagram is becoming a DM-first platform. When you shift your strategy to match the platform, you grow faster with less effort.

This new auto-DM feature is one of the easiest ways to:

• connect

• segment

• help

• nurture

• convert

your followers, automatically.

The opportunity is new. The advantage goes to the early movers.

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