A quick reply message for Instagram (also called a Saved Reply) lets you type a shortcut like /price and insert a full pre-written response in one tap. Most businesses use them inconsistently or don't use them at all. Here's a ready-to-use library of 30 examples organized by scenario.
How Quick Replies work#
- Go to Instagram → DMs → tap the three-dot menu → Saved Replies → +
- Write the full reply text in the Message field
- Set a short Shortcut keyword (e.g.,
price,hours,booking) - In any DM conversation, type
/followed by the keyword - the full reply auto-populates
You can have up to 30 Saved Replies. Make every slot count.
Pricing inquiries (5 examples)#
Shortcut suggestion: /price or /cost
1. Our [product/service] starts at [price]. I'll DM you the full pricing breakdown - which option are you looking at?
2. Prices depend on [variable]. For [Option A] it's [price], and for [Option B] it's [price]. Which fits your situation better?
3. Here's our current pricing: [list or link]. Want me to help you figure out which plan fits your needs?
4. [Service] is [price] per [unit/session/month]. We also have a [bundle/trial/package] if you want to start smaller. What are you trying to do?
5. That depends on scope - can you tell me more about what you need? I'll give you an accurate number rather than a ballpark.
Availability and booking (5 examples)#
Shortcut suggestion: /book or /avail
6. We have slots open [this week / next week]. What day and time works for you? (We're available [hours].)
7. To book, I just need: (1) your preferred date and time, and (2) [service type / number of people]. What do you have in mind?
8. Our next available slot is [date/time]. Want me to hold it for you while we confirm the details?
9. Booking is open - reply with your preferred [date, time, number of guests] and I'll confirm within [X minutes].
10. You can book directly at [link], or just tell me what you need here and I'll handle it for you.
Business hours (3 examples)#
Shortcut suggestion: /hours
11. We're open [Mon–Sat, 9am–6pm, timezone]. Outside those hours? Leave your message and we'll reply first thing when we open.
12. Hours: [days and times]. For urgent matters outside hours, [alternative action or contact].
13. We reply to DMs during business hours ([hours]). Your message is saved - we'll get back to you by [specific time].
After hours (3 examples)#
Shortcut suggestion: /away or /afterhours
14. We're offline right now! Back at [time]. Your message is queued - you'll hear from us first thing tomorrow morning.
15. It's after hours for us. We'll reply to this by [time] tomorrow. For urgent help: [alternative].
16. Thanks for reaching out! We're closed for the night. Open again [day] at [time]. We'll reply then.
Shipping and orders (4 examples)#
Shortcut suggestion: /order or /ship
17. To check your order, please share your order number and we'll pull it up right now.
18. Your order [number] is [status]. Estimated delivery: [date]. Tracking link: [link].
19. We ship within [X business days]. Delivery usually takes [X–X days] to [region]. Want a quote for your location?
20. Domestic shipping is [price/free]. International shipping starts at [price] - depends on your country. Where are you shipping to?
Returns, refunds, and complaints (4 examples)#
Shortcut suggestion: /return or /issue
21. I'm sorry to hear that! Let me look into this. Can you share your order number and a photo of the issue?
22. Returns are accepted within [X days] of delivery. Item must be [unused / original packaging / etc.]. DM me your order number to start the process.
23. We'll sort this out. I'm escalating this to our [team/manager] - you'll hear back within [X hours]. Reference: [auto/manual ID].
24. Refunds take [X business days] once we receive the return. I'll send you the return instructions now - just confirm your address.
Thank-you and follow-up (3 examples)#
Shortcut suggestion: /thanks or /followup
25. Thanks for chatting with us! If you have more questions, we're here. Don't forget to [action - review, referral, next step].
26. Glad we could help! Feel free to DM us anytime. And if you loved your [product/experience], a review on [platform] would mean a lot. 🙏
27. Just following up - did everything arrive okay? Let us know if there's anything else we can help with.
General openers (3 examples)#
Shortcut suggestion: /hi or /start
28. Hi! Thanks for reaching out to [Business]. How can we help you today?
29. Hey! You've messaged [Brand]. Are you asking about a product, an order, or something else?
30. Hi [First Name]! Great to connect. What can we do for you?
Going beyond Quick Replies: AI-automated DMs#
Quick Replies reduce typing but still require a human to read and respond to each DM. For businesses getting 20+ DMs per day, that's still a bottleneck - and Quick Replies do nothing when a customer messages at 2am.
Instant Reply automates the full DM conversation on Instagram Business. The AI reads the customer's message, understands their intent, and sends a contextual reply from your business knowledge - pricing, availability, FAQs - without a human in the loop. Quick Replies handle volume. AI automation handles time and scale.
The two work side by side: AI handles the routine volume automatically; your team uses Quick Replies for the nuanced conversations that need a human touch.
Try Instant Reply free for 7 days. Connect Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger in the first 60 seconds.
Related: Instagram welcome message examples · Instagram DM automation guide · Live chat greeting examples
