The proliferation of spambots and illegitimate “growth” apps combined with strict policies and consequences have made Instagram automation a tough nut to crack.

However, it’s time for digital marketers to destigmatize Instagram automation. With new and effective organic growth tools that are 100% approved by Instagram, you can say toodles to Insta taboos and start leveraging Instagram automation.

One is always looking out for new and legitimate organic growth tools, almost non-existent on Instagram. This is pretty crazy to think about, considering Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms.

Most digital marketers have thought about experimenting with the legacy Instagram automation tools out there. Auto-reply to comments, increase engagement, and passively grow your followers. What’s not to love?

Then, the Google searching begins, and you quickly realize the risks outweigh the benefits. Alas, Instagram has gotten so tough on automation tools and bots that it begs the question, “is Instagram automation dead?” No! It’s alive and well, maybe for the first time.

The planets aligned, and the Insta elite decided to merge APIs with Messenger, creating… a frankenapp! Just kidding. But in all seriousness, now more than ever, Instagram is a freaking awesome app.

This new API release, circa Oct. 2020, opened the doors for a new set of 100% approved Instagram automation tools.

Why Automate Instagram?

There are a few use cases for Instagram automation that every business, brand, and influencer can benefit from utilizing in 2021.

Does this mean you have to experiment with a bunch of different tools again? Nope, so far, there is just one tool with Instagram’s blessing in 2021: InstaChamp by MobileMonkey. We’ll dig into InstaChamp later, but first, let’s take a deep dive into the state of Instagram Automation in 2021.

The State of Instagram Automation in 2021

We have experimented with all of the various Instagram automation tools out there. But in the end, we always fell back on manual organic strategies. Why is that?

For starters, most Instagram automation tools aren’t worth your time or money. Plus, they’ll get you flagged or banned faster than you can say “Instagress.”

Of course, there have been many well-intended apps and total turn and burn garbage apps for Instagram automation since the platform launched in 2010.

Instagram’s Official Guidelines for Automating Instagram

Back to the question of the day, week, and year… is it safe to use Instagram automation tools in 2021? The short answer: YES, with InstaChamp. Anything else, it depends.

Before I get to the long answer, let’s first define what Instagram automation is, at least for this report. There are essentially two different forms of automation out there for Instagram, and both are provided by third-party software:

• Front-end Instagram Automation: These Instagram automation services primarily function on the front-facing or public-facing side of tasks, i.e.: DMs, commenting, and likes.

• Back-end Instagram Automation: The Instagram automation services which focus on scheduling posts, analytics, and anything else behind the scenes.

For this report, we are mostly referencing front-end Instagram automation. Which, makes perfect sense. Of course you’d want to automate these tedious tasks, but Instagram is trying to reduce the bad actors mucking things up for everyone.

Is Instagram Automation Authentic or Inauthentic Activity?

According to Instagram, “Third-party apps that generate inauthentic likes, follows and comments violate our Community Guidelines and Terms of Use.”

So, according to the Community Guidelines, let’s take a closer look at what is considered authentic or inauthentic Instagram automation activities.

A Brief History of Instagram Automation Tools to Date

Play the Engagement Algorithm Game to Win with Instagram Automation

There are a few different ways to game the Insta algo. Mainly, you need to find a way to boost your authentic engagement rates.

75% of consumers prefer to engage with brands via private messaging channels vs. traditional channels. With these Instagram statistics, the importance of replying to every DM is evident.

Even if you prefer to maintain your clunky manual workflow, if you’re running an agency or have a large following, it probably involves multiple VAs handling your Instagram accounts. If you connect MobileMonkey to your Instagram, you can add multiple users.

Imagine no more VAs tripping over each other with a single login and the ability to assign and organize your Instagram DMs, comment moderation, and more.

Examples of Authentic and Safe Instagram Automation Using InstaChamp, with 100% Insta-Approval

Instagram Comment Auto-Responders via Direct Messages

InstaChamp’s comment auto-responder is not like the rest because it only sends private DMs in response to comments requesting it. Plus, there is an entire conversational dialogue intelligently programmed into every DM interaction.

By encouraging your followers to comment with a trigger word, like “BOOST” in the example below, you get more comments that are instantly followed by more DMs (because InstaChamp auto-DMs them). That’s a big spike to every post’s engagement and all within Instagram’s Official Guidelines.

Instagram Story Mentions Auto-Responder

Instagram Stories have taken off as the most engaging area on the platform.

Digital agencies report up to 2-3X more engagement using Instagram Stories versus other post types of social media content.

You also benefit from the additional prime real estate by being featured at the top of your follower’s newsfeeds in the Story Highlights section.

Almost all digital marketing reports for 2021 point to the same conclusion: social media users want more authentic connections. Instagram Stories is the best place to do this.

Consider that it’s almost an entirely mobile platform, 50% of global web traffic in 2021 is mobile, plus 98% of active Facebook users are on mobile. Instagram Stories is clearly a good place for brand awareness and customer engagement.

How does InstaChamp’s Story Mention auto-responder work? 

It’s simple, someone mentions or tags you in their Instagram Story, and InstaChamp automatically sends them a DM “thank you” note. Not only is it appreciated, but it increases your engagement in the Insta Algo-sphere.

But you don’t have to take my word for it. Neil Patel explains it in 5 minutes in the video below.

Auto-Reply to DMs with Instagram Automation

Very similar to how the InstaChamp comment auto-responder works, the DM auto-responder will automatically reply to incoming DMs with conversational dialogue.

As you can see in the example above, you can include a link to drive traffic wherever you’d like. You can also add multiple options and clickable buttons to form a DM inbox funnel.

After the auto-replying to mass amounts of DMs, the best part, in my personal opinion, is the new DM inbox that MobileMonkey offers. That’s only if you connect your Instagram to a MobileMonkey account (for the time being), which has all of InstaChamp’s features included, along with chat automation tools for Facebook, SMS, and live chat on your website. It is so well organized and streamlined for marketing purposes that Instagram’s native DM inbox will feel like a dinosaur of a legacy app. I have no idea why Instagram never improved on this but cheers to MobileMonkey for filling those innovative shoes.

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