Answer direct messages, story replies and post comments next to every other channel.
Updated October 14, 2026 · For owners and admins
On this page
In short
You connect Instagram to Risti from Settings › Apps › Marketplace by signing in to Instagram and allowing access. You need a professional account, Business or Creator, with access to messages turned on. It takes about 2 minutes, and direct messages, story replies and post comments then arrive in your shared inbox.
Before you start
An Instagram professional account, Business or Creator.
The login for that account.
The Owner or Admin role in Risti.
Allow access to messages
In the Instagram app, go to Settings › Messages and story replies › Connected tools and turn on Allow access to messages.
Open the Instagram card
In Risti, go to Settings › Apps › Marketplace, find Instagram under Social and press Connect.
Continue with Instagram
Press Continue with Instagram. The whole page moves to Instagram; there is no popup window.
Tip. Prefer tokens? Choose Advanced: connect manually, enter the Instagram account ID and Access token, then press Connect Instagram.
Allow Risti
Sign in if asked and allow access. Instagram sends you back to Risti, which shows “Connecting Instagram”.
Confirm the account
When you see “Instagram is connected: @handle.”, press Continue.
Set routing and comment rules
On the account page, Routing picks the teams that get these conversations and Comments holds the comment rules.
Instagram@acmeConnected
What happens next
Reply to post comments publicly or privately, and hide or show them, without leaving the inbox.
Replies to direct messages follow a 24-hour window from the customer’s last message. A private reply to a post comment can go out for up to 7 days.
Text holds up to 1,000 characters and files up to 8 MB. Voice messages, edits and deletions are not supported.
Risti can’t publish posts or read your feed or followers. To reach customers on more channels, connect WhatsApp too.
If it doesn’t work
Does Risti work with a personal Instagram account?
No. You need a professional account, Business or Creator. Switch the account to professional in Instagram first, then connect it.
Why does Instagram open in the same tab?
Risti sends you to Instagram on the full page, not in a popup, and brings you back once you allow access.
Can Risti post to my feed?
No. Risti works with direct messages, story replies and post comments. It can’t publish posts or read your feed or followers.
How long do I have to reply to a message?
Reply within 24 hours of the customer’s last message. A private reply to a post comment can go out for up to 7 days.