Messenger Auto Reply: How to Set It Up in 3 Steps [Feb 2024]

Facebook Messenger auto reply messages are an effective way to elevate your customer experience. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of setting up Facebook automated responses and the different methods of creating them. Plus, we’ve compiled the most popular auto reply messages for your business.

Facebook Messenger Auto Reply: The Basics

In this section, you’ll learn what are Facebook Messenger auto reply messages and how your business may benefit from them.

What is Facebook Messenger Auto Reply

Facebook Messenger auto reply messages refer to automated responses to incoming Messenger chats. Common types of auto reply messages include Welcome Messages and Away Messages.

Why Use Facebook Messenger Auto Reply

There are many reasons why Facebook Messenger auto reply messages matter. Firstly, when you acknowledge new customers with a Welcome Message, it helps you make a good first impression on them.

This is an image showing the benefits of Facebook Messenger auto reply messages.

Away Messages also sets the right expectations about response time when you can’t respond to customers right away. Plus, businesses can take advantage of Welcome and Away messages by greeting customers and asking for their details at the same time.

Auto reply messages also allow you to send quick and consistent messages, making it easier to earn the Very responsive to messages badge. However, their functionality is limited to this initial interaction and doesn't extend to following up on customer messages.

However, to manage conversations effectively and provide timely follow-ups, you need to use conversational AI tools like AI Agent. They can intelligently converse with customers, enhancing the overall customer experience.

Now that you’ve learned the basics of Facebook automated responses and their limitations, let’s dive into the setup process.

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How to Set Up Facebook Messenger Auto Reply

There are two ways to set up Facebook Messenger auto reply messages — through Facebook Page Inbox and respond.io.

The former is intended for small companies that only use Messenger, while the latter is ideal for large companies that also use other Meta products like WhatsApp API and Instagram for messaging.

Plus, the advanced automation on respond.io allows you to capture customer details and send auto reply messages with context based on customer categories.

How to Set Up Facebook Automated Responses in Facebook Page Inbox

To create Facebook Messenger automated responses such as instant replies and away messages, you need to be a Page admin, editor or moderator. Start by going into the Manage Page settings of your Facebook Page.

How to Set Up an Auto Reply on Facebook Messenger in 2024

Step 1: Go to Inbox.

This is an image showing the steps involved in Facebook Messenger auto reply or Facebook automated responses through Facebook Inbox. In order to create Facebook Messenger automated responses, you need to be a Page admin, editor or moderator. To start, go to your Facebook page. Then, go to Inbox. Check out the blog for more info on how to set auto reply in facebook messenger 2021

Step 2: Click on Automations.

This is an image that illustrates the steps involved on creating Facebook Messenger auto reply or Facebook automated responses through Facebook Inbox. The second step to creating auto reply messenger facebook is to Click on Automations. Check out the blog for more info on how to set auto reply in facebook messenger 2020.

Step 3: Toggle on Instant Reply at the top.

Step 4: Select Messenger as the platform.

This is an image on how to set up facebook business messenger auto reply. To set auto reply facebook messenger, select Messenger as the preferred platform by checking the box. Read the blog for more information on how to set up auto reply in facebook messenger, as well as facebook messenger auto reply sample

Step 5: Write your auto reply message and click Save Changes.

This is an image on how to set up facebook messenger auto reply 2020. Wonder how to set up auto reply on facebook messenger? Compose your Facebook Messenger auto reply message through Facebook Inbox. Read the blog for more info on how to change auto reply on facebook messenger.

Here, you can choose to personalize the auto reply with the contact’s name. You may also test the auto reply by sending it to your mobile device.

Finally, click on Save Changes to publish the auto reply message.

Facebook auto replies are limited to 500 characters!

If your Page is set to Away, instant replies won’t be sent. These messages also don’t count toward your Page’s response rate or response time.

Next, we’ll show you how you can set up an away message through the Facebook Page Inbox.

How to Set Up an Away Message in Facebook Page Inbox

1. Navigate to Away Message in Automations. Then, check the Messenger box.

This is an image that shows how set Up an Instant Reply in Facebook Page Inbox. First, navigate to Away Message in Automations. Then, check Messenger as the preferred channel by checking the box.

2. Set your away hours in the Timing section.

This is an image that shows how set Up an Instant Reply in Facebook Page Inbox. To do so, schedule times to be away each week in the Timing section.

3. Draft your message, preview it and save.

This is an image that shows how set Up an Instant Reply in Facebook Page Inbox. To do so, customize the away message.

You may preview your message on Facebook Messenger. Lastly, click on Save Changes. And your away message is now live!

Following Meta’s latest Handover Protocol updates, you can only use one main app—either Facebook Page Inbox or a third-party inbox like respond.io. Only the main app will receive messages.

Next, we'll walk you through setting up Facebook Messenger auto replies on respond.io. Before you begin, make sure to disable Facebook Page Inbox and set respond.io as your primary app.

How to Set Up Facebook Automated Responses on Respond.io

Thanks to Workflows, creating Facebook automated responses is quick and easy on respond.io. To get started, sign up for a respond.io account and go to the Workflows module.

1. Set the Workflow Trigger to Conversation Opened.

Image depicting the start of a respond.io workflow

2. Add a Date & Time Step to define your business hours if you only want auto replies sent at certain times.

Image showing the date and time setup on respond.io's Workflows.

3. Add one or more Send a Message Steps. You can create different types of auto reply messages in a single Workflow. In the configuration drawer, set the Channel to Facebook Messenger, and Message Type to text. Then, compose the auto reply message(s).

Image showing the set up of Welcome and Away messages

To collect customer information, add an Ask a Question step after your welcome message. Their answers will be stored as Variables that you can use elsewhere in the Workflow.

Image depicting the ask a question step in respond.io's workflows module

Next, we’ll share some Facebook Messenger auto reply examples designed for different situations.

9 Facebook Messenger Auto Reply Examples

Here are some popular Facebook Messenger auto replies for business, broken down into welcome, away and lead capture messages.

Welcome Messages

Make a good first impression with a warm, friendly greeting.

“Thanks for reaching out to [business name]. How can we help you?”
“Hi! 👋 We are so excited to hear from you! Let us know how we can assist you.”
“Hi there! Welcome to [business name]. What can we do for you today?”

Away Messages

Set expectations when you're not available and let customers know when to expect a response.

“Hello! We’re closed right now, but we’ll get back to you around [time]. If you have any urgent questions, check out our FAQ section here: [URL].”
“Hey! Just wanted to let you know that we have received your message and will be in touch by [time].”
“Thanks for your message! We’re currently out of the office, but we’ll get back to you first thing in the morning.”

Lead Capture Messages

Capture customer details and show customers that you value their interest with a Facebook auto reply message.

“Thank you for contacting [business name] on Messenger. In order to assist you, please provide your email address.”
“Thanks for your message! May we have your name and phone number?”
“Hello, please leave your name and email address below and we will be in touch shortly.”

In summary, start and maintain good customer relations with the use of auto replies. Improve your customers’ experience today with Facebook automated responses.

Start automating replies and more with an AI-powered customer conversation management software and a badged Meta Business Partner. Create a free respond.io account and connect Facebook Messenger to the platform.

Do More with Messenger on Respond.io

Messenger auto replies are a solid start, but they’re not built for scale. If your inbox is getting busier, the basic tools on Facebook won’t cut it.

That’s where respond.io comes in. It gives you the flexibility, automation and visibility you need to stay on top of conversations and grow, minus the chaos.

Omnichannel Inbox: Manage conversations from Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok and more in one place.

Image showing the channels supported on respond.io

Smart Inbox Capabilities: Assign chats, tag teammates, leave internal notes, start WhatsApp calls and use AI Assist & Prompts to reply faster and more clearly.

Image depicting respond.io's contact view

CRM Integrations: Sync data and automate actions across HubSpot, Salesforce, Zapier, Make and other popular tools.

Image showing respond.io's range of CRM integration options.

Lifecycle Tracking: Track every contact from first message to follow-up to make sure no one falls through the cracks.

Image depicting respond.io's Lifecycle feature

Analytics and Reporting: Monitor response times, ad conversions and agent activity across your whole team.

Image showing respond.io's reporting features.

Whether you're scaling support, qualifying leads or running campaigns, respond.io helps you do more with Messenger, and every other channel your customers love.

Turn customer conversations into business growth with respond.io. ✨

Manage calls, chats and emails in one place!

Book a Demo Sign Up Free

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between Instant Replies and Away Messages on Facebook Messenger?

Instant Replies are sent immediately when someone messages your Page for the first time. Away Messages are sent during hours you've marked your Page as unavailable.

Can I personalize my Facebook auto reply messages?

Yes. You can use personalization tokens like the customer’s first name to make your replies more engaging.

Do auto reply messages count toward the “Very responsive to messages” badge?

No. Instant Replies and Away Messages do not count toward your Page’s response rate or response time.

Can I send auto replies outside of business hours?

Yes. You can schedule Away Messages to go out during off-hours to set expectations and let customers know when you’ll be back.

What’s the character limit for Facebook auto reply messages?

Auto reply messages can be up to 500 characters long.

Can I use auto replies on both Facebook and Instagram?

Yes, if you’re using a platform like respond.io that supports both channels in one inbox.

Why aren’t my Facebook auto replies being sent?

This usually happens if your Page is set to “Away” and Instant Replies are toggled on. In this case, only the Away Message will be sent. You can’t send both at once.

Can I set up more advanced automated responses?

Yes. With a third-party platform like respond.io, you can set conditions, ask questions, store answers and send different replies based on customer behavior.