Instagram Welcome Message: Best Practices and Examples [2025]

Instagram now counts over 2 billion monthly active users, making it one of the most powerful platforms for business growth. Whether you run an online store, a hospitality service, a school, or even a personal brand, Instagram offers a direct path to connect with your audience — and not just through posts.

More and more users turn to Instagram when making purchase decisions. In fact, 61% of them check Instagram when considering a product or service. This makes it essential for brands to show up visually and provide smooth, helpful communication in their direct messages.

In this post, we’ll zoom in on a key feature that helps businesses connect with leads instantly — the Instagram welcome message. You’ll learn how to set a welcome message on Instagram, why it matters for engagement, and how to make the most of it. Plus, we’ll explore real-life examples and tips to help you build your own.

What is an Instagram welcome message?

An Instagram welcome message is an automated reply sent to someone who opens your DMs for the first time. Think of it as a friendly digital handshake. This message can greet new users, answer FAQs, point leads toward the next steps in their journey, or simply confirm that their message has been received.

In the Instagram app, you can set up a basic welcome message that’s visible to new users when they first open your chat. Once they send a message, it disappears. For more advanced automation — like smart routing, interactive buttons, or lead capture — it’s best to use a dedicated platform that offers more flexibility.

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Benefits of automating Instagram welcome messages for businesses

At first glance, a simple auto-reply might seem minor. However, when crafted well, a welcome message for customers on Instagram can unlock significant benefits for your business.

Increased customer engagement

When someone lands in your Instagram direct messages, they often hesitate, wondering whether they’ll get a response or how long it might take. If they don’t hear back quickly, there’s a good chance they’ll move on to a competitor.

A welcome message for Instagram removes that hesitation, as users get it immediately. You can use it to set clear expectations; for instance, tell your customers that someone will get back to them in five minutes. Alternatively, you can use it to let them know they can chat with a bot if it’s after hours.

Faster response times

No matter how professional and dedicated your support team is, delays happen. Your DM specialists can get busy or miss a notification. With automated welcome messages, none of that matters. Whether 10 or 100 people message you at once, they all receive a reply immediately, exactly as you’ve set it up in your chat settings.

Besides, data show that response time matters. Over the years, user expectations have steadily increased, dropping from 50 seconds in 2019 to just 30 seconds in 2022. A fast, consistent Instagram welcome message can help your brand keep up with those evolving standards.

Enhanced user experience

An automated Instagram welcome message, especially when it’s rapid and valuable, helps create a smooth and engaging experience for users. When well-crafted, it can transfer them to the right department, answer common questions, or redirect them to relevant pages — without any wait or confusion.

Instead of wondering what happens next, users feel taken care of right away. For example, a clothing brand might send a message like this:

Meanwhile, a beauty salon could use this one:

Lead generation and conversion optimization

Not every message comes from someone ready to buy — and that’s okay. Many users are still exploring, comparing options, or just curious. However, their first message is a perfect opportunity to start a deeper conversation and nudge them closer to conversion.

Your Instagram welcome message can help you collect contact details and gently move your leads to another communication channel, such as email, WhatsApp, or SMS, where you can continue nurturing them. The key is to make it in a natural and rewarding way.

For instance, you could ask for the user’s email address or phone number and offer something valuable in return — a discount or promo code, a lead magnet like an eBook or white paper, early access to exclusive deals, a free consultation, or expert advice. It’s a simple exchange that adds value on both sides: leads get something useful, and you get a chance to grow your list and build a lasting relationship over time.

Personalization at scale

Personalizing your welcome message can make each new interaction feel more relevant. Instead of a standard greeting, consider asking a short question right away — like what the user is shopping for or what kind of help they need. Their answer can determine what content or products you suggest next.

You can also use this opportunity to gather simple data points from leads through mini polls or quick surveys. Later, you can use these insights to customize your chatbot, email, or SMS campaigns based on their preferences. Over time, this strategy will help you build stronger and more personalized relationships across all your communication channels.

24/7 availability

Just because your team only works during business hours doesn’t mean users stop looking for information about your products or services. Someone could reach out in the evening with a question, and by the time you reply the next morning, they’ve already moved on or bought from someone else.

A simple Instagram welcome message that covers common inquiries can really make a difference. If it answers their question straight away or points them in the right direction, you have a better chance of keeping their attention and turning interest into action.

That’s the power of automated DMs on Instagram — they’re always on and help you keep the conversation going. Even when your team is offline, a chatbot can step in to provide helpful answers, offer value, and guide people toward a purchase.

Tips for creating effective welcome messages on Instagram

Creating a welcome message for customers on Instagram isn’t just about saying hello; it’s about setting the right tone, encouraging engagement, and gently leading the conversation. Here are a few proven tips to help you craft a message that actually works:

1. Start with something short and easy to digest. Instagram isn’t the place for lengthy messages, so stick to one or two friendly, purposeful lines. Think of it like a quick elevator pitch — just enough to spark interest without overwhelming the user.
2. Personalize with the user’s name when possible. A simple “Hey, Alex!” makes the interaction feel more human and direct than a generic “Hello.” It shows your audience they’re being seen — not just another follower in the crowd.
3. Include a clear next step. Whether it’s browsing your catalog, asking a question, or claiming a discount, your Instagram welcome message should gently point people in the right direction. Avoid vague phrases like “Let us know if you need anything,” and go for actionable, helpful suggestions instead.
4. Use emojis 🤝 and a friendly tone. Emojis can make your message feel approachable and in tune with Instagram’s casual vibe. Just be careful not to overdo it; one or two thoughtfully chosen emojis are enough.
5. Offer something of value. Give users a reason to stick around. A promo code, free download, or early access to a new product shows you value their time and attention. Even a small gesture can significantly increase the chances they’ll interact with your brand.
6. Test and optimize. Try different versions of your welcome message to see what resonates best with your audience. Adjust your tone, structure, or offer based on how people respond, and use actual responses and click data to refine your approach.

When done well, a welcome message on Instagram becomes a subtle yet powerful tool for nurturing relationships and driving conversions.

Instagram welcome message templates

Here are six types of welcome messages you can set up on Instagram depending on your business goals — whether you want to provide faster support, generate more leads, or strengthen relationships with your community.

Support-oriented messages

Goal: Provide quick assistance and set expectations.

If you find that most of your incoming DMs revolve around orders, product details, or shipping, a well-crafted support message can help users self-sort before a live agent steps in and ease the load on your team.

Here are a few support-focused welcome messages you can adapt:

Sales-focused messages

Goal: Drive immediate interest in a product, service, or offer.

If your Instagram feed features products or services, use your welcome message to incentivize new visitors to explore further or make a purchase.

Try using one of these Instagram welcome message templates:

Lead generation messages

Goal: Collect contact details for future campaigns.

These Instagram welcome messages work well when you want to grow your mailing list or get in touch with qualified leads beyond the app. Offer something valuable in exchange to encourage responses.

Here are a few templates to consider:

Funnel entry messages

Goal: Guide users into a specific flow or journey.

If you’ve set up a chatbot flow for FAQs, bookings, or product recommendations, these welcome messages can guide users to the right option and get them moving smoothly.

Here’s how you can direct users:

Community-building messages

Goal: Start conversations and create a two-way relationship.

If your brand thrives on interaction and values feedback and user-generated content, this type of welcome message for Instagram can help you build trust and spark meaningful connections.

Here are a few community-centered message templates:

Event-based messages

Goal: Promote upcoming events, drops, or time-sensitive campaigns.

These Instagram welcome messages are great to build urgency and drive quick action during product launches, webinars, or limited-time offers.

Try one of these event-focused welcome message templates:

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Real-world examples of Instagram welcome messages

Let’s explore how different brands use automated Instagram welcome messages to establish the tone, provide helpful information, and build trust from the first touchpoint. These examples can help inspire your own message that matches your business goals and voice.

Data request from Next

Next is a UK-based retailer that offers clothing, footwear, and home essentials. On Instagram, the brand showcases new arrivals, seasonal looks, and home inspiration to engage its audience and drive interest in its products both online and in-store.

When someone DMs the account, Next sends an automated welcome message aimed at filtering inquiries. If it’s about an order or account issue, the message explains that a user should provide some details, including their email address. If not, it assures them that a support agent will step in shortly to assist them.

If your business, much like Next, needs key details from customers upfront to speed up support, here’s a similar message template you can use:

Clear response expectations from Duma

Duma is a lifestyle brand offering modern clothing, accessories, and home goods. Their Instagram presence is all about aesthetics. The brand shares new collections, behind-the-scenes design stories, and styling inspiration.

When someone sends a message for the first time to Duma on Instagram, they receive an instant reply. This welcome message is short and friendly, and it sets expectations by letting users know that responses come from live agents, which may take a bit of time.

One way to improve this Instagram welcome message would be to add an expected response time, like “We usually reply within 10 minutes.” Alternatively, you could mention support working hours so that users know when to expect a reply.

If your support team responds manually and you want to make things clear upfront, here’s an improved version you might try:

Multiple contact channels from Bonkers Corner

Bonkers Corner is an India-based streetwear brand with playful, pop-culture-inspired clothing and bold designs. It caters to a young, expressive audience looking for fashion that feels fun and unapologetically different. Their Instagram is packed with fresh drops, styling ideas, and community-driven content.

When a user sends a message to the brand on Instagram, they aren’t left waiting. The auto-reply they get outlines live support hours and shares two alternative methods to get in touch: email or WhatsApp.

If you also provide support through multiple channels and want to show your availability and flexibility, consider adopting a welcome message for customers on Instagram like this:

How to set a welcome message on Instagram with SendPulse

With SendPulse, you can create a custom Instagram welcome message that greets users automatically and keeps your conversations flowing. Let’s walk through the process step by step.

First, connect your Instagram account to SendPulse. Start by opening the “Chatbots” section and clicking “Manage bots.” Next, select “Add bot” and choose Instagram from the list of available channels. You can connect a chatbot using your Instagram business account or Facebook Business page — whichever option works best for you.

Once your channel is connected, it’s time to create a chatbot flow. In the visual builder, you can drag and drop various blocks, such as Message, Flow, Action, Pause, etc., to design and shape your ideal conversation. To set up your welcome message for Instagram, select the “Welcome message” trigger — it ensures your greeting is sent as soon as a user initiates a direct message.

You can personalize your Instagram welcome message with the subscriber’s data, add quick replies or buttons, share product links, and offer next steps like visiting your website or exploring collections. To make interactions more dynamic and helpful, consider adding AI-powered steps or integrating third-party tools via API.

Once your chatbot is live, you can be sure that every user who sends you a new message gets a timely, consistent response. Whether you aim to answer FAQs, share links, or guide leads toward a purchase, your Instagram welcome message will work in the background 24/7.

Conclusion

An Instagram welcome message can be your solid foundation for building meaningful, ongoing interactions with your leads and customers. It can help you manage expectations, collect essential user data, answer popular questions, and encourage action from the very first message.

But the real value? Consistency. Even when your team is offline, your chatbot keeps working: it greets new users, sets the tone, and moves users closer to conversion. This approach is not just efficient; it’s strategic. It helps your brand stay responsive and create a smoother experience for your audience.

If you’re thinking about ways to bring more efficiency to your Instagram conversations, SendPulse gives you the tools to do just that. With its intuitive chatbot builder and powerful automation features, you can easily set up your welcome messages and flexible conversation scenarios and turn first impressions into tangible results.

Get your free account now and give it a try!