How to Set Automatic Facebook Page Replies on Messenger

Dealing with hundreds of Facebook DMs every day? Well, Facebook Messenger can automatically reply to all messages.

Meta Business Suite has these options for automated responses (in Messenger):

• Custom Keywords (my favorite, but it’s only available on the web version) – you set a specific response to questions that have certain keywords. For example, if someone sends a question with the keyword “how much,” you can set an automatic “call +254 717 XXX XX4” reply.
• Instant Replies – everyone who lands on your DM will get the message, even before they type anything.
• Away Messages – the solution to annoying notifications when you’re unwinding or hanging out with friends.
• Frequently Asked Questions – need I explain that?
• Contact information – for customers looking for your contact details
• Location – for people asking about your location
• Hours – for buyers looking for your business hours
• Job application received – to let your applicants know that you’re reviewing their application.
• Positive feedback – quick thank you to someone who reviews your business positively.
• Negative feedback – to follow up on negative reviews
• Appointment reminders – as the name suggests
• Page recommended – to thank someone who recommends your page
• Page not recommended – you got it, right?

Messenger can also automatically label unread messages if you’re keen on answering every message yourself. You’ll find this function (and those mentioned above) on the Automations page.

In this guide, I’ll cover how to set auto reply in Facebook page messenger using the mobile and web versions. Automatic responses will help you prioritize messages so that you don’t feel overwhelmed.

Please note that using Away Messages and Instant Replies is not a shortcut to earning the ‘Very responsive‘ badge. For that, you’ll need to respond to your Facebook page messages on time. So turn on your notifications and set aside some time to go through your inbox. We’ve covered this and more in our guide: how to increase response rate on Facebook page.

How to set up automatic Facebook page replies on your mobile phone

It’s pretty easy to set automatic responses on your Facebook page using your mobile phone.

Below are the steps to follow:

1. Go to the Messaging icon on your Facebook page

2. Click on the three dots at the top right to access the Automations option

3. Check the Instant reply status on your page’s automations

4. If the Instant reply button is switched off, click on it and select Messenger as your channel

You’ll also see the suggested instant reply message under the ‘Take this action’ section.

5. Customize the message by clicking the edit button

6. Select Personalization to add any personalized information to the instant reply.

For example, you can include your business phone number. Save after adding your contact information to have a personalized automatic reply.

Your page’s automatic response is now set!

How to set up automatic Facebook page replies on your computer

You can set automatic Facebook page replies on the web version using Custom Keywords.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to your page, scroll the left navigation panel, and click Settings

2. Click Messaging under Page Settings

3. On the Messaging Settings page, scroll to the bottom

4. Click Set up under “During a Messenger Conversation”

5. Go to Create your own under Automations. Click Custom Keywords

I’ll get into the Suggested Presets in a moment.

For now, create a message based on common words that clients use on your DM.

For example, if you get a lot of questions like how much is XYZ, use “how much” as your keyword to send an automated response like “call 0717 XXX XX4.”

6. Click Create

7. Name the keyword group and fill in the keywords

I’ll name my keywords Buy Requests to reflect that the automatic response is for people who want to buy. So name your keywords as you like.

Then go to your DMs and pick the common keywords people use when they want to buy a product. I’ll use how much, buy, sell, deliver, and can.

TIP: If you lose your way in Meta Business Suite, go back to your inbox, then click on Automations on the top-right.

8. Create the custom message

I’ll use “call +254 717 XXX XX4” because I want the buyers to call me.

In the next section, I’ll go over the Suggested Presets that we saw earlier.

Other ways to create automated Facebook replies

Facebook allows you to create instant replies, away messages, frequently asked questions, etc.

But using these options will NOT increase your page’s response rate. 

Let’s check them out.

1. Create Instant Replies for all messages

Everyone who lands on your DM will receive your message before they even text. So, it’s a good option if you have the same response for all possible inquiries.

Simply create your message and turn on Instant reply.

When you click Preview in Messenger, you’ll receive the message on your personal account.

2. Create a customized Away Message when you’re off business hours

During off-hours, send an automatic message directing your audience to your products page or FAQ page. Or, whatever you want.

The best part? You won’t receive any message notifications during off-hours.

First thing, edit the time.

Click Add Time, then select a day and time. You can add different times (e.g., weekends and evenings).

Next, set your message.

You can personalize each message by adding the recipient’s name.

To do that, click Add Customer Name.

Then select one of the options:

• First name of the recipient
• Last name of the recipient
• Full name of the recipient

Note that you turn on Away Messages in one of two ways:

• Automatically when your scheduled Away Time hits
• Changing your status to Away within your inbox. Go to your Inbox and click on the clock sign to change the status

3. Add Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Bring in all the typical questions that your customers ask in your DM.

Click Add Question.

Then put your question in the Question box and the answer in the Message box. You can also add images and links to the answer.

After adding your questions, remember to turn on Frequently Asked Questions at the top of the page.

Let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below.

Interesting facts you should know: Facebook usage stats.