# Reply to DMs

Automatically reply to TikTok DMs that contain a keyword, with text, buttons, an image, or a video.

This automation replies to DMs sent to your TikTok account when they match your keywords. It pairs well with [Reply to Comments](/dashboard/tiktok/automation/balas-komentar) that invites viewers to send that word.

{% dm-demo name="Kopi Senja" username="kopisenja" caption="A viewer sends MENU by DM and gets the menu right away" %}
user: MENU
bot: Hi! Here's today's Kopi Senja menu ☕ kopisenja.id/menu
{% enddm-demo %}

Make sure you meet everything in [Before you start](/dashboard/tiktok/automation#before-you-start). Open **TikTok** › **Automation**, click **Create automation**, then choose **Start from scratch**. Fill in the **Automation name** at the top left, for example *Menu info by DM*.

#### 1. Set up the DM trigger

In the **Trigger** step:

![Direct message trigger](/assets/dashboard/tiktok/tts-b1-dm.png)

1. **Automation target**: choose **Direct message**.
2. **Matching rule**: **Contains**, **Exact match**, or **Starts with**. **Any words** isn't available for direct messages.
3. **Keywords**: for example *MENU*. Use the same word you mention in your comment reply.

***

#### 2. Put together the reply messages

Click the **Message reply** step.

![TikTok DM message reply](/assets/dashboard/tiktok/tta-05-dm.png)

1. **Message type**: **Text**, **Buttons**, **Image**, or **Video** (shares one of your videos).
2. **Message**: write the reply. Click **First name** or another variable under **Insert** to include the viewer's name.
3. **Add message**: add the next message, up to 5 messages. They're sent in order, and you can change the order with the arrows on each message.

Click **Create automation** to save. The automation starts right away.

***

#### 3. Check the result

1. From another TikTok account, send a DM with the keyword to your account, for example *MENU*.
2. The reply arrives in that account's DMs, in the order you set.

## Troubleshooting

| Problem | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| The test DM gets no reply | Make sure you sent it from another account, the keyword fits the **Matching rule**, and the automation isn't paused. |
| *This rule isn't available for direct messages.* | Change **Any words** to **Contains**, **Exact match**, or **Starts with**. |
| *Already used by another automation: …* | That keyword is already used by another automation. Change the keyword, or edit the old automation. |
| *Add at least one message.* or *Up to 5 messages.* | Fill in 1 to 5 messages in the **Message reply** step. |
| *Choose one image.* | For the **Image** type, click **Choose image**. |