Instagram Welcome Message Examples: 30 DMs to Copy

An Instagram welcome message is the first DM someone gets from your business after they reach out, comment a keyword or tap a question. The best ones are short, use the person's reason for writing, and offer one next step. Below are 30 examples by business type, plus ice breaker questions and quick replies you can copy.

What is an Instagram welcome message?

It is the first message in a DM conversation with your business. Most businesses send it in one of four moments:

Moment	What triggers it	Example opener
First DM	Someone messages you for the first time	"Hi! Thanks for reaching out to [Business]."
Comment to DM	Someone comments a keyword on a post or reel	"Here's the guide you asked for!"
Story reply	Someone replies to your story	"Glad you liked it! Want the link?"
Ice breaker tap	Someone taps a suggested question in an empty chat	"Great question. Our prices start at..."

Each moment needs a slightly different message, because the person arrives with a different reason. A comment-to-DM welcome should deliver what the post promised; a first-DM welcome should ask what they need.

What makes a good welcome message?

• Use their reason. If they commented "GUIDE," open with the guide, not a generic hello.
• Keep it to two or three lines. It is a chat, not an email.
• Give one next step. A link, a question, or two or three buttons.
• Sound like you. Use the same voice as your captions.
• Say when a person will answer if the message is automatic.

Welcome message examples by business type

Replace the brackets. Each one works as a first DM or as a reply to a keyword.

Online stores

1. "Hi [Name]! Thanks for stopping by [Store]. Looking for something specific? Reply with the product and we'll send the link."
2. "Welcome! Here's 10% off your first order: [code]. Shop the new collection: [link]"
3. "Hey! You asked about [product]. Here it is: [link]. Want help with sizing?"

Salons and beauty

1. "Hi! Thanks for messaging [Salon]. Book your next appointment here: [link]"
2. "Welcome! Tell us what you'd like done and we'll suggest the right service and stylist."
3. "Hey [Name], here's our price list: [link]. Which service are you thinking of?"

Restaurants and cafes

1. "Thanks for reaching out to [Restaurant]! Here's tonight's menu: [link]. Want to book a table?"
2. "Hi! We're open [hours]. Reserve a table here: [link] or reply with your party size."

Coaches and course creators

1. "Hey [Name]! Thanks for commenting. Here's the free guide: [link]. What's your biggest challenge right now?"
2. "Welcome! I help [audience] with [result]. Want the free starter checklist? Reply YES."
3. "Thanks for your message! My next group program opens on [date]. Want me to send the details?"

Fitness studios and trainers

1. "Hi! Your first class is on us. Pick a time here: [link]"
2. "Welcome to [Studio]! Are you a beginner or already training? I'll point you to the right class."

Real estate

1. "Hi [Name]! Thanks for your interest in [property]. Want the full listing and a time to view?"
2. "Welcome! Are you buying, selling or renting? I'll send what fits."

Photographers and creatives

1. "Thanks for reaching out! Here's my portfolio and packages: [link]. What date are you planning for?"
2. "Hi! Tell me a little about your project and I'll get back to you with options today."

Agencies and services

1. "Hi! Thanks for messaging [Agency]. What are you looking for help with? Reply 1 for social media, 2 for ads, 3 for something else."
2. "Welcome! Here's a short case study from a client like you: [link]. Want a free 15-minute call?"

Local services (dentists, contractors, clinics)

1. "Hi, thanks for contacting [Business]. Book a visit here: [link], or tell us what you need."
2. "Thanks for your message! We serve [area]. Send us a photo of the job and we'll quote."

Creators and influencers

1. "Hey! Thanks for the message. For collaborations, email [address]. For the links from my reels: [link]"
2. "So glad you liked the post! Here's everything I mentioned: [link]"

Nonprofits and events

1. "Thank you for reaching out to [Organization]! Here's how you can help this month: [link]"
2. "Hi! Tickets for [event] are here: [link]. Any questions, just reply."

Comment-to-DM welcome examples

When someone comments a keyword, your first DM should deliver the promise at once.

1. "Hi [Name]! Here's the [freebie] you asked for: [link]. Enjoy!"
2. "You commented 'PRICE', so here it is: [product] is [price]. Tap below to order."
3. "Thanks for commenting! Here's the recipe: [link]. Want more like it every week?"

Meta allows one private reply to a comment, sent within 7 days of the comment, and further messages only if the person replies, within 24 hours of their reply (Meta for Developers). So put the link or a button in that first message. For more ideas, see the comment-to-DM tools roundup.

Story reply welcome examples

1. "Thanks for replying to our story! Want the link to what we showed?"
2. "Glad you voted! Here's the full post with the results: [link]"

Instagram ice breakers: questions to use

Ice breakers are suggested questions people see when they open an empty chat with your business. Meta allows up to 4 (Meta for Developers), and they are not shown on desktop. Pick the questions people ask you most.

Business	Ice breaker questions
Store	"Where's my order?" / "Do you ship to my country?" / "What's on sale?" / "Talk to a person"
Salon	"Book an appointment" / "See prices" / "What are your hours?" / "Where are you?"
Coach	"Get the free guide" / "How does coaching work?" / "Prices" / "Talk to me"
Restaurant	"Today's menu" / "Book a table" / "Opening hours" / "Do you deliver?"

Write a welcome reply for each question, so a tap gets an answer straight away.

Quick replies to add to your welcome message

Quick replies are buttons under a message. When someone taps one, the button text is posted as their reply. Instagram allows up to 13 buttons, each up to 20 characters before it is cut off (Meta for Developers). Three is usually enough.

• "See prices" / "Book now" / "Ask a question"
• "Women" / "Men" / "Kids"
• "Beginner" / "Intermediate" / "Advanced"
• "Yes please" / "Not now"

Each tap tells you what the person wants, so the next message can match it.

How to send Instagram welcome messages automatically

You can type welcome messages by hand, but people expect a quick answer, and a comment-to-DM promise only works if the DM arrives while they are still looking. SociaHive's Instagram automation sends them for you:

• Comment to DM: a keyword on a post or reel sends your welcome DM with the link.
• DM keywords: a first message containing "price" or "book" gets the matching reply.
• Ice breakers and quick replies: set the questions and buttons, and route each tap to its own reply.
• Story replies: answer people who reply to your stories.

Instagram automation starts on the Creator plan (pricing). For ready-made messages by industry, browse the DM templates, and for more DM ideas, see our Instagram DM examples and Instagram auto reply examples. The full setup is in the Instagram DM automation guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you say in a welcome message on Instagram?

Thank the person, answer the reason they wrote, and give one next step. For example: "Hi [Name]! Thanks for reaching out to [Business]. Here's our price list: [link]. Want to book a time?" Keep it to two or three lines.

How do I change my welcome message on Instagram?

If you send it through an automation tool, edit the message in that tool's flow and save. If you use ice breakers, update the questions and the reply linked to each one. Test it from a second account, because you cannot trigger your own automation from the same account.

Can I send a welcome message to new followers on Instagram?

We cover welcome messages for people who message you, comment or reply to a story, because those moments start a conversation. Messaging is limited by Meta's rules: a business can reply within 24 hours of the person's last action, as Meta's messaging documentation describes.

How long should an Instagram welcome message be?

Two or three short lines. If you need to share more, send a link or use quick reply buttons so the person picks what they want next.

Should a welcome message include a link?

Yes, if the person asked for something, such as a guide or a price list. Deliver it in the first message. If they only said hello, ask a question first and send the link once you know what they need.

Sources

1. Meta for Developers, Ice breakers, Instagram API with Instagram Login, updated June 30, 2026
2. Meta for Developers, Quick replies, Instagram API with Instagram Login, updated October 5, 2026
3. Meta for Developers, Send a private reply to a commenter, updated June 30, 2026
4. Meta for Developers, Send messages, Instagram API with Instagram Login, updated September 28, 2026