Follow to Get the Link: How to Make People Follow Before You DM on Instagram
How a follow gate works on Instagram, why the first DM needs a button, setup steps, message templates and when not to use it.
WALoops team
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In this guide
- "Follow and comment LINK to get it" turns a comment into a follower, but only if something actually checks the follow.
- Instagram only lets a tool check whether someone follows you after they interact in the DM, so the first DM is a short message with a button.
- Followers get the link right away. Non-followers get a Follow button and an "I'm following" button to try again.
- Use it for rewards worth a follow. Gating a price or a size chart just annoys buyers.
To make people follow before you send an Instagram link, use a follow-gated auto-DM: after someone comments a keyword, send a DM with a button and check their follow status when they tap it. Followers get the reward link; non-followers see Follow and “I’m following” buttons. If Instagram doesn’t return a status, WALoops sends the reward anyway.
How does the Instagram follow check work?
Instagram reveals whether someone follows you only after they interact with the DM sent in reply to their keyword comment. Your account can send one private DM in reply, and the person can tap its button to interact.
So a follow-gated automation runs in steps:
- They comment the keyword. You can also reply publicly: "Check your DMs 📩".
- They get a short DM with a reply chip to tap, like "Want 10% off your first order? 🎁 [Yes, send it]". It lands in Message Requests for people who don't follow you yet, and that is fine.
- They tap the button. The tool checks whether they follow you.
- Followers get the reward: the link, the PDF, the code.
- Non-followers get a nudge: "Almost there! Follow us first 💛" with a Follow us button that opens your profile and an I'm following ✅ button. When they tap it after following, the check runs again and the reward goes out.
Where can people trigger it?
People can start the same follow-to-unlock flow in three ways:
- Comment a keyword on any post or reel. You can optionally reply publicly with "Check your DMs 🎁".
- Reply to your story with the keyword. They are already in your DMs, so the follow check runs straight away.
- DM you the keyword. Someone can DM "CODE" and get the same follow check.
All three use the same follow check and the same reward.
How do I set up follow-to-unlock in WALoops?
Set it up by choosing the Follow to unlock template, defining a keyword and post or reel, then configuring the messages and reward.
- Open Instagram → Auto-DM and choose the Follow to unlock template.
- Set the keyword, for example FREE, and pick the post or reel.
- Write the public replies, one per line. They rotate.
- Write the reward DM and add the link button.
- Under Before they get it, keep Ask them to follow first switched on. Change the follow message and the opener button text if you like.
- Check the live preview, save, and test from a second account that doesn't follow you.
What messages should I send?
Send a short opener with a button, a follow prompt to non-followers, and a reward message with a download button.
Opener
[ Send it to me ]
For non-followers
[ Follow us ]
[ I'm following ✅ ]
Reward
[ Download ]
What does a real follow-to-unlock test look like?
- From a second account that does not follow the gift store, comment CODE.
- Get the public reply and the opener DM.
- Tap Yes, send it.
- Get the message: "Almost there! Follow us first".
- Tap I'm following without following the account and get the same nudge again.
- Follow the account, then tap I'm following again.
- Get the WELCOME10 discount code with a Shop now button.
Tip: Always test from an account that does not follow you. The DM goes to Message Requests for a non-follower, so look there first.
When should I use an Instagram follow gate?
Use a follow gate when a free reward is worth a follow, not when buyers need a price, size chart, delivery information, or support.
| Good fit | Bad fit |
|---|---|
| Free guides, templates, presets, checklists | Product prices ("price?") |
| Giveaway entries | Size charts and delivery info |
| Early access and launch lists | Customer support questions |
| Discount codes for new followers | Anything a buyer needs to decide right now |
A buyer asking for a price is ready to buy. Making them follow first adds a step between them and the sale. Gate the freebies; answer buyers straight away.
Can I combine a follow gate with email capture?
Yes, you can ask for the follow and an email in the same automation. The follower check runs first, then the DM asks for their email, then the reward goes out. Keep it to one ask if the reward is small.
Follow-to-unlock is included in WALoops Instagram auto DM from ₹499 ($5) a month.
