Check that Flows is included in your access during the limited-time free period, that your user has the Edit Flows permission, and that the brand has a supported network connected. If you still do not see the option, ask the account admin to review the role permissions.
Flows limits, restrictions, and permissions
Updated 6 days ago
Flows has character limits, Meta API restrictions, and permission requirements that affect what you can send and who can use the feature.
Character and automation limits
These limits apply in the current version.
Item | Limit |
|---|---|
Characters in comment reply | 300 |
Characters in first DM (Comment → DM) | 1,000 |
Characters in follow-up DM (Comment → DM) | 1,000 |
Characters in reply DM (DM → DM and Story Reply → DM) | 1,000 |
DMs per comment | 1 |
Automations per brand | No limit |
Posts per automation | 1 (a post cannot have two active automations) |
Maximum delay per step | 24 hours |
Instagram: Meta restrictions
Meta rules limit when and how automatic DMs can be sent on Instagram.
Restriction | Applies to |
|---|---|
The first DM cannot contain links (text and reaction button only) | Comment → DM |
Links go only in the follow-up DM, after the user interacts | Comment → DM |
Links are allowed from the first reply DM | DM → DM / Story Reply → DM |
7-day window to send the DM after a comment | Comment → DM |
24-hour window for follow-up DMs after user interaction | Comment → DM (follow-up) |
Outside the 24-hour window from the user's interaction, the DM is not sent | Automatic replies |
Only 1 DM per comment per user and post | Comment → DM |
A post cannot have two active automations | All networks |
Comment-triggered Flows only evaluate comments on feed posts and Reels, regardless of the configured scope. Comments on stories don't trigger the Flow (use Story Reply → DM instead). Comments on a boosted post trigger the Flow when the post was originally published organically | Comment → DM |
TikTok: restrictions
TikTok has its own limitations on Flows availability and message limits.
Restriction | Applies to |
|---|---|
Business account required | All TikTok Flows |
Comment-based Flows (Comment → Hide, Comment → Reply) available globally | Comment Flows |
DM → DM available only in the United States — not in the EU or UK | DM → DM |
DM → DM limited to 10 automated messages | DM → DM |
A post cannot have two active automations | All networks |
Inbox and Instagram behavior
Messages sent from Metricool behave differently from messages sent in the native Instagram app.
If you reply from Metricool (or another third-party app), the conversation moves to the General folder in the Instagram app, regardless of the user's settings.
Messages delivered by API are not marked as "Read" on Instagram until a reply is sent.
Plan and channel exclusions
Flows is free for all paid plans for a limited time. It is not available on:
Free plans
Starter Mobile 5
Permissions
Edit Flows user permission is required to create and manage Flows.
Instagram Comment → DM requires a Facebook Page linked to the Instagram account.
TikTok Flows require a TikTok Business account.
Frequently asked questions
I do not see the Flows tab in Planning
I cannot create the Instagram comments-to-DM Flow
That Flow requires a Facebook Page linked to the Instagram account. If you connected Instagram without that link, reconnect the account with the associated Facebook Page. If the network is not linked, the modal shows an error and does not open the editor.
Why is "Any comment" disabled in my Comment → DM Flow?
The combination of Any post and Any comment is not available. If you select Any post as the scope, set the comment condition to With keywords and add your keywords separated by commas. You can add as many as you need. If you want to trigger on every comment, select Already published post and choose the post you want to automate.
Why is the TikTok DM Flow not available in my region?
The TikTok DM → DM Flow is available only in the United States. If your account or audience is in the EU or UK, the DM Flow is not available. Comment-based Flows (Comment → Hide and Comment → Reply) are available globally.
Can I use TikTok Flows with a personal account?
No. TikTok Flows require a Business account. Connect a TikTok Business account to Metricool to use Flows.
The automation moved to Draft on its own
If the social network connection is lost, the automation moves to Draft and stops running. Reconnect the network and activate the Flow again.
The DM was not sent
Check the send history: an API failure is logged as failed. For Instagram, the 7-day window after the comment or the 24-hour window after the user's interaction may also have expired. For TikTok, the 10-message limit on the DM → DM Flow may have been reached. In any of these cases, the trigger does not fire and the DM is not sent.
Why doesn't my Instagram Flow trigger on a boosted post?
Comment-triggered Flows evaluate comments on a boosted post only when the post was originally published organically. Comments on ads that were not created from an organic post don't trigger the Flow, regardless of the Flow's scope. No attempt is logged in the send history for these comments, since the Flow never evaluates them. Reply to those comments manually from the Inbox, where they still arrive as expected.
Why does the first Instagram comment DM not allow links?
This is a Meta restriction. In Comment → DM, the first message can only be text (and a reaction button). The link goes in the follow-up DM (Then you can send your link), after the user replies or taps the button.
I get an error when I try to save my Flow
If the error includes URL_NOT_ALLOWED_IN_FIRST_DM, the DM text in Send a private DM to get a reaction contains a link. Meta does not allow links in that first message, so the save is rejected. Remove the link from that field and add it in the Then you can send your link step instead, which is built to carry links.
Can I reuse a Flow's configuration?
Yes. Use Clone in the three-dot menu to copy an existing Flow, then edit it.
Can I run the same Flow on multiple posts?
Each automation is tied to one post, and a post cannot have two active automations. Create or clone one automation per post if you need the same behavior on several pieces of content.
Can I delete several Flows at once?
Yes. Select the Flows with the row checkboxes, open Bulk actions, and choose Delete.
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