Instagram DMs are direct messages from you to another user. It’s an on-platform messaging system you can use for a wide variety of purposes. You can message people to tell them you like their content. You can message people to try to network with them, as an influencer. You can send offers and inquiries. You can ask for more information about a product or service. There’s no end to what you can do.
Well, that’s not strictly true. While there’s an infinite variety of possible topics, Instagram imposes limits on the use of their direct messaging system.
What is Instagram Direct?
Details and Quirks
A New Feature
Direct Messaging Limitations
Related posts:
What is Instagram Direct?
Before I dig into the specific limitations, first I need to explain something. Instagram direct messages are changing, and they’re changing constantly. In the past, they were a direct messaging system built into the app, and limited only to the app. You couldn’t access or reply to your messages from a desktop platform at all.
Over the past couple years, Instagram has been making a few more changes aimed at making their platform more accessible to marketers. The partnership with various business platforms, allowing apps to access their posting API and schedule posts, is one such change. Another is the rollout of Instagram Direct.
Remember a few years ago, when Facebook used to have their own private messaging system built into Facebook? And then they rolled out Messenger, and started pushing people to use that instead? And how now the only messaging you can do on Facebook is with Messenger? Instagram is sort of doing the same thing.
Instagram Direct is the name of the direct messaging platform Instagram created back in, oh, 2013 or so to give users a way to contact one another privately instead of publicly through photo comments. Since then, they’ve been doing a lot to change and update how the platform works.
Instagram Direct is basically an Instagram-flavored version of Messenger, in a sense. It handles your usual plain text messages, but can also send photos and videos, can send timed self-destruct videos and photos, and can share Instagram features like profiles, hashtag links, and location tags. It can work for one on one chats as well as group chats, just like Messenger.
You’re going to see a lot of comparisons to Messenger, because Facebook owns Instagram and it makes sense that they want to mimic the features they’ve developed successfully on one platform for the other. Instagram Stories have made their way to Facebook, and Messenger is making its way to Instagram, in a roundabout fashion.
Details and Quirks
There’s a lot of relevant information you can find about Instagram Direct, but some questions simply don’t have accessible answers. The limit on the number of messages you can send is one such piece of information. I’ll talk more about that in a bit. First, though, more details on how Instagram Direct works.
DMs through Direct work in a similar way to other sorts of messages on other platforms. You create a chat with other people, one or many, and you can message them and they can message you. You can send a variety of different kinds of content, but traditional privacy rules apply. If someone sends you a post directly but you don’t have permission to see that post, you won’t see it. For example, if it’s from a private account you aren’t approved to follow, you won’t see the post.
In order to send someone messages, you simply need to be using Instagram. However, the behavior of those messages changes depending on whether or not the user in question follows you. If they follow you, your messages appear in their inbox directly. If they don’t follow you, they appear in a message request section, similar to how Facebook Messenger separates messages from people you’re not friends with already. If the user approves the message, they are essentially added to your “contacts” internally, which means future messages don’t need to pass through the request quarantine. Basically, this is a way to discourage spam.
This is important to know if you’re a brand and have to deal with incoming messages on a frequent basis. You need to check your message requests frequently to see if there are any new incoming messages, and approve them so you can communicate with those users. I highly recommend doing this rather than trying to shuffle them off platform, because the experience is a lot smoother.
Abusive or spam messages can be reported. A user simply needs to open the conversation, tap and hold the abusive message, and choose report from the context menu that appears. Messages that are reported go to Instagram for review, and if they are found to be abusive or spammy, the sender can have their messaging privileges revoked or their account suspended. Additionally, anyone can block another user, which prevents them from sending you messages.
Disappearing messages, in the form of photos or videos, can be sent through DMs. They can be viewed only once before they disappear, unless the sender allows replay, which allows the message to be looped once before it disappears. You can also choose to allow a preview image of the disappearing message to linger in the chat history, though it can’t be viewed again. Disappearing messages can only be sent to people who follow you or who have approved messages; they cannot be the initial contact.
Instagram Direct also allows you to unsend a message if you want. By tapping and holding on a message you want to unsend, you can click to unsend it. This removes the message from the conversation, but much like deleting an email, there’s always the possibility that someone in the chat has already seen it.
Group conversations can have up to 32 people in them, though video chat can only be shared by up to six at once. A group of 32 is generally worthwhile for large friend groups or for marketing purposes like webinars, though there are many better platforms for that kind of marketing so I wouldn’t recommend it.
If you want to learn the specific steps on how to do anything with Instagram Direct, like sending specific kinds of content or adding people to a conversation, you can read their help directory here.
A New Feature
Facebook announced just recently that they’re adding a new feature for business users of both Facebook and Instagram. Specifically, they’re linking the messaging inbox between the two sites. Business users on Facebook will be able to see and reply to direct messages on both Facebook and Instagram from the same inbox, the Facebook Page Inbox.
Basically, from within the new Pages inbox, you will see the Messages section off to the left, and there will be two tabs; one for Messenger and one for Instagram Direct. You can see and respond to messages on both directly from the same platform. This is very convenient if you’re managing active profiles on both.
This works on desktop, but it will also be available through the mobile Pages Manager app, so you can manage your contacts on the go. You can read more about this new change over here.
Stay tuned for further integration between Facebook’s various messaging platforms. Facebook has been talking about deep integration between Messenger, Instagram Direct, and even WhatsApp for some time. This is just one step of this grand unification process. I would be absolutely unsurprised to find WhatsApp added next, and then the whole aggregate mass refined and turned into a sort of Messenger 2.0 within the next handful of years. They’ll take it slow to avoid losing users through rapid changes, but it’ll happen.
Direct Messaging Limitations
So, to go back to the original question, is there a limit to the number of DMs you can send on Instagram? Is there a cap, is there a rate limit, is there a penalty for sending too many?
The answer is yes, but also no. Yes, I know that makes no sense. You’ll see what I mean.
Ask anyone who uses Instagram for marketing through DMs and they’ll tell you there definitely is a rate limit. Then, if you ask them what the limit is, they’ll give you a number that’s different from what another person may give you.
The fact is, there’s no fixed, hard-and-fast rule for a rate limit for DMs. Instagram uses a dynamic set of adjustments based on a variety of factors, and absolutely none of it is published anywhere. As far as Instagram’s help center is concerned, there’s not even a limit in place.
What I’ve done is scoured reports and complaints about rate limits and caps, to give you some idea of what people are experiencing. I’ll present you the evidence I’ve found below, and draw some conclusions. None of this is verified or corroborated by Instagram themselves, so take it all with a grain of salt.
First of all, one report from BlackHatWorld speaks of a guy sending the same DMs to people over and over as part of his sales techniques. He’s been doing this for some time, and is often reaching users who aren’t following him. As of his post – in 2017 – his account was only able to send about 2-5 DMs per hour before his account has direct messaging privileges revoked for 12-24 hours. By his own admission, he has been at this for a while. He also has another account, that is both newer and does not have a history of infractions, that can send 15-30 messages per hour without issue.
Of course, given that this is BlackHatWorld, discussion immediately turns to how “sending the same message to non-followers over and over with intent to sell products” is not spam and is instead a great and personal way to connect with an audience. They discuss how many variations of the message need to be rotated in before Instagram stops catching on.
My conclusions from this set of posts are mostly that Instagram looks for repeated messages that fit the bill as spam. The same message or set of messages being sent to non-followers over and over is liable to induce a block. Then, repeated infractions will see lower and lower limitations placed, until eventually the ability to send direct messages at all is revoked entirely.
This Reddit thread, also from 2017, indicates that reported messages are a strong negative modifier. Even if you’re using an account in good standing with a lot of varied and creative messages, if a few people start reporting it as spam, Instagram will likely crack down hard.
A small post on a bot promoting page I’m not going to link or name, meanwhile, mentions that the daily cap tends to be around 100-150 DMs per day for accounts in good standing. This is spread out over the course of a full day, 24/7, so trying to send 100 DMs in an hour is likely going to run into issues. This is, of course, assuming that it’s sending messages to roughly that many different people; an active group chat can have over 100 messages in an hour just fine.
Another black hat forum has a similar discussion where a user indicates that they limited their messaging bot to 7 messages an hour, with a maximum of 35 per day, and ended up being hit with a 6 day block from sending messages. Other people in the same thread talk about sending 50 messages per day without getting blocked. For the most part, this tells me that those people haven’t been caught.
This Quora thread includes a guy mentioning that his experience indicates that whether or not the message is the same or varied doesn’t seem to matter, but in my mind this just means he also hasn’t been caught.
My view is that sending repeated messages, regardless of whether they’re carefully spun or not, is going to get you restricted eventually. Instagram’s passing random checks can catch you, and any reports will get you nuked quickly. DMs are a secondary feature and your marketing should not rely on them; use them for legitimate communication and for influencer outreach, not for direct sales.
FAQs
Can you send too many DMs on Instagram? ›
Instagram has limits in place to stop direct messages that people may not want to get, like spam. If you were warned about sending too many messages and continue to do so, you may not be able to send more direct messages for a period of time.
How many Instagram DMs can you send daily? ›This includes the following, likes and unfollows. Direct Message limits: 20-50 DMs per day.
Can you get banned from sending DMs on Instagram? ›Stricter Penalties for People who Send Abusive Messages
Currently, when someone sends DMs that break our rules, we prohibit that person from sending any more messages for a set period of time. Now, if someone continues to send violating messages, we'll disable their account.
If you can't send direct messages to a particular user, there are two possibilities to consider. One, the user has configured their account's privacy settings to restrict DMs. Secondly, the person has blocked you. When blocked on Instagram, you might be unable to send direct messages.
How long do Instagram limits last? ›How Long Does Instagram Limit Last? It usually lasts between 24 and 48 hours. In some cases, the limitations should be gone within just a couple of hours, but if they persist, your only alternative is to contact support whenever you have a chance.
Why is Instagram telling me we limit how often? ›To protect its community from harmful accounts, it has set rules that have to be followed by its users. If it notices any unusual activity on your account, you may see the “we limit how often you can do certain things on Instagram” message. The full message says “ Try again later.
What are Instagram limits? ›Square post dimension: 1080 by 1080px. Portrait post dimension: 1080 by 1350px. Landscape post dimension: 1080 by 608px. Feed video length limit: 1 hour.
Why does Instagram limit my actions? ›Action blocks are typically caused by the exceeded number of actions you perform in a window of time — per hour or day. Once you exceed the allowed hourly or daily actions limits, your actions might get blocked by Instagram.
How do I fix action blocked on Instagram? ›- Clear the cache on your Instagram app. ...
- Delete the App and reinstall the latest version. ...
- Take a break for a while. ...
- Contact the help Instagram center. ...
- Contact the Instagram and Facebook Business pages.
Similarly, in a post talking about hate speech, Instagram reaffirmed that "DMs are for private conversations, [so] we don't use technology to proactively detect content like hate speech or bullying the same way we do in other places." It appears that Instagram doesn't read your DMs.
How long can Instagram say no thread when trying to send a private message? ›
If you ever get the “Couldn't create thread” error on Instagram, stop trying to direct message others and wait for 24 hours (or more) for it to be lifted. In the event that Instagram is down, there isn't much you can do until Instagram fixes it on their end.
How many violations does it take to get banned from Instagram? ›1. There is no magic number of reports that will get an Instagram account banned. 2. Instagram issues warnings to account owners for violations.
Why are my insta messages not sending? ›Most of time , when Instagram messages not sending, clearing the app cache will resolve the issue. So, To fix Instagram messages not sending, clear Instagram app cache. To clear the Instagram App cache, For Android users, Go to settings >> Find Instagram App >> Tap on clear cache.
Why won't my Instagram messages send? ›If you notice messages not sending on Instagram, there's a chance the application is outdated. After checking all the above items, if your Instagram messages are still not sending, your Instagram may need an update. Then, go to your setting and check for updates.
How long does the action block last on Instagram? ›Action blocks usually last from 12 to 48 hours, but sometimes they can last for up to two weeks. If that's the case and you don't want to wait that long, you can start growing another account while you're waiting to get unblocked.
How many Instagram followers do you need to get paid? ›With just 1,000 or so followers, you can make money on Instagram. Neil Patel, a widely known digital marketing specialist, says the key is engagement — followers who like, share and comment on your posts. "Even if you have 1,000 followers who are engaged, the potential to make money is there," he writes on his blog.
Why is my Instagram telling me to try again later? ›It is one of the prevention policies Instagram has which helps stop users spamming other people's posts. The "Try again later" error may also pop up if you have commented the same thing over and over again or if a lot of users have reported your profile. In other cases, it is just a technological glitch.
How do you get unbanned from Instagram? ›Keep in mind, we may permanently remove an account that repeatedly violates the Community Guidelines or Terms of Use. If you think your account was disabled by mistake, you may be able to appeal the decision by opening the app, entering your username and password and following the on-screen instructions.
What is a pre ban on Instagram? ›What is the prior notice that Instagram sends? You can get banned by Instagram if only your actions violate a certain percentage of their guidelines. If you make such a mistake, then Instagram will send you a pre-ban notice. In this notice, they'll clearly specify the actions that led to this notice.
How many DMs can you send on Instagram? ›Although Instagram doesn't officially announce an Instagram DM limit on the number of messages we can send daily, the studies have managed to reach a number. The safest number of DMs we can send per day is between 100 to 150. As for the newer accounts, this number plunges to 20 to 50.
What are the new rules of Instagram? ›
Post only your own photos and videos and always follow the law. Respect everyone on Instagram, don't spam people or post nudity. Instagram is a reflection of our diverse community of cultures, ages, and beliefs.
Can action blocks permanent? ›A permanent action block occurs when they don't give you an expiration date. This means that you or your IP address have been frequently blocked, and the block won't be lifted unless you try reporting it to Instagram.
How long is Instagram suspension? ›How Long Do Instagram Accounts Get Suspended For? Temporary suspensions vary in duration depending on the actions that led to the ban. A common timeframe is 24-48 hours.
How do I remove action block? ›How to Fix Instagram Action Block in 2022 - YouTube
How long does Instagram block you from following 2022? ›Instagram action blocks are temporary - not permanent. Blocks can last anywhere from a day to over a week. In most cases, they disappear within 48 hours or after taking certain steps (about which you can read later in this article).
Can the FBI see my Instagram? ›Yes. The FBI and DHS both hire private companies to conduct social media monitoring on their behalf.
Is Instagram safe for sending private photos? ›Instagram users run exactly the same risks when they direct message each other—no end-to-end encryption. No fancy Messenger functionality ported over to the photo and video sharing platform is going to change that.
Are Instagram DMS encrypted? ›You'll see on chats that are end-to-end encrypted. Any other conversations you have with that account will appear as a separate chat in your Chats list. Was this helpful?
How do you DM on Instagram without being creepy? ›- Be thoughtful and creative. ...
- Use proper grammar. ...
- Be aware of the medium and the message. ...
- Avoid a superficial approach. ...
- Know the rules of engagement.
If your message has remained unseen for a long time, you have probably been restricted. The thing is they can read your DM without accepting it, hence, it will be never marked as “seen” for you. Try sending them a DM in case they have forgotten to check your message in their inbox.
How do I know if I'm restricted on Messenger? ›
You can see everyone that you restricted on Messenger and unrestrict them from your settings. From Chats, tap your profile picture in the corner. From the menu, tap Privacy. Tap Restricted Accounts.
What gets you banned on Instagram? ›You can be banned from Instagram for:
Using an automation tool to like/comment on content aggressively or to follow/unfollow users. Buying likes and fake followers. Selling or buying accounts. Creating duplicate accounts.
Go to your profile. Tap the Insights action button. You can also go to in the upper right corner, and tap Insights. Tap the metrics under the Overview section or specific content you've shared for a more detailed breakdown.
What happens when you violate Instagram terms? ›We can remove any content or information you share on the Service if we believe that it violates these Terms of Use, our policies (including our Instagram Community Guidelines), or we are permitted or required to do so by law.
What does clearing Instagram cache do? ›When you clear the Instagram cache, it means you delete only those files that the app stores on your phone. You are not deleting any media that you've posted from your Instagram account and they remain safe on the company's services. So, your uploaded photos, videos, and Instagram Reels remain intact.
How do I clear my Instagram cache 2022? ›- Tap 'Settings' on your Instagram's profile.
- Tap 'Security'
- Tap 'Clear Search History (for iPhone) or 'Search History' (for Android)
- Tap 'Clear All'.
- That's it!
Your Instagram DMs text is black either because of following one of the reason: Latest update of Instagram App. Instagram server is down. There is some bug in the Instagram specific to DMs.
How do you send 1000 messages on Instagram? ›- Step #1: Connect your IG account.
- Step #2: Create your Instagram campaign.
- Step #3: Setup your DM recipients.
- Step #4: Compose the Message.
- Step #5: Schedule the Campaign.
- Step # 6: Check Campaign Results and Reply to Messages.
- Step7(Pro step) Bulk DM Instagram influencers.
Meaning that they disabled the option to receive direct messages from anyone. However, if you simply request to follow them, you'll appear on their notifications. After, you'll be able to write or send media to them again.
How long can Instagram say no thread when trying to send a private message? ›If you ever get the “Couldn't create thread” error on Instagram, stop trying to direct message others and wait for 24 hours (or more) for it to be lifted. In the event that Instagram is down, there isn't much you can do until Instagram fixes it on their end.
Why do I keep getting the try again later on Instagram? ›
"Try again later" occurs when monitors on the Instagram app believe you are doing something inappropriate or you have tried to do something too quickly. It is one of the prevention policies Instagram has which helps stop users spamming other people's posts.
How many DMs can you send on Instagram? ›Number of DMs You Can Send in 24 Hours
However, it is safe to say that a trusted Instagram account can send 50 to 100 Instagram DMs per day. Newer Instagram accounts can send 20 to 50 Instagram DMs in 24 hours.
How to send Bulk DMs on Instagram the easy way? - YouTube
Why does it say you Cannot reply to this conversation? ›If it still doesn't work, reasons why include: The person you're trying to message deactivated or deleted their account. You've blocked the person you're trying to message or they've blocked you. You're trying to respond to a group conversation that the other members of the conversation have already left.
Why does my phone keep saying message failed to send? ›Your SIM carrier is responsible for maintaining the SMSC network. If you have an incorrectly set SMSC, you will still receive text messages because the other person's SMSC is forwarding the messages directly to your SIM number. But your text messages fail to send because your texts are not reaching your carrier's SMSC.
Can I DM someone who doesn't follow me on Twitter? ›Anyone you do not follow can send you a Direct Message if: You have opted in to receive Direct Messages from anyone* or; You have previously sent that person a Direct Message.
Why are my Instagram messages not sending? ›Restart your app and try re-sending the messages that are stuck. Check if you have updated Instagram on your phone to its latest version. Messages may also not get delivered or received if your internet connectivity is interrupted. Switch to mobile data to send the messages.
How do you DM on Instagram without being creepy? ›- Be thoughtful and creative. ...
- Use proper grammar. ...
- Be aware of the medium and the message. ...
- Avoid a superficial approach. ...
- Know the rules of engagement.
If an Instagram direct message cannot be sent to a particular friend, then the chances are that they have blocked your account. To know if they have blocked you, go to their page, and none of their posts will be displayed. For Instagram privacy matters, some users prefer to receive messages only from followers.
How do you take off the limit on Instagram? ›How To Remove Limits On Instagram - YouTube
What does clearing Instagram cache do? ›
When you clear the Instagram cache, it means you delete only those files that the app stores on your phone. You are not deleting any media that you've posted from your Instagram account and they remain safe on the company's services. So, your uploaded photos, videos, and Instagram Reels remain intact.
How do I clear my Instagram Cache 2022? ›- Tap 'Settings' on your Instagram's profile.
- Tap 'Security'
- Tap 'Clear Search History (for iPhone) or 'Search History' (for Android)
- Tap 'Clear All'.
- That's it!