How Instagram messaging windows work
Learn when AIVAS can send an Instagram message, what happens after 24 hours, and how Meta's rules apply to manual and comment replies.
Meta gives businesses up to 24 hours to respond after someone sends an Instagram DM. AIVAS keeps agent replies, scheduled follow-ups, and Inbox sends inside that window. When it closes, you can still write a draft in AIVAS, but AIVAS will not send it.
The 24-hour window
A new DM from the person starts a new 24-hour window. A reply from your business does not restart the clock. A comment or a private reply to a comment does not start a standard DM window either.
When the window closes, wait for the person to send another DM before sending through AIVAS. If you have a draft, you can use Instagram's own tools only when Meta permits that message.
Manual replies after 24 hours
Meta's Human Agent tag can allow a business to reply manually for up to 7 days after the person's message. It does not allow automated follow-ups. AIVAS Inbox does not use this tag, so its sends stop after 24 hours.
Replies to comments
For an eligible comment on a post, ad, or Reel, a business may send one private reply within 7 days. This is separate from the standard DM window. If the person answers that private reply, their message opens a new 24-hour window.
Meta may change these rules. Check its current policy before planning a way to contact someone outside the standard window.