How long can you DM someone after they comment on Instagram?
7 days. Through Meta's private replies, an app can send one message to a commenter within 7 days of their comment on a post or Reel. After that, you can only message people who write to you.
Meta's private replies have a fixed window:
| Where they commented | You can send a private reply |
|---|---|
| A post or Reel | Within 7 days of the comment |
| A live video | Only while the live is still on |
You get one message per comment. If the person answers, the conversation opens and you can reply within 24 hours of each message they send. If they don't answer, that's the end of it: you can't follow up.
That's why the first message should deliver what you promised straight away, and end with an easy question that invites a reply.
Sources
Checked October 14, 2026. Platforms change their rules; tell us at contact if something here is out of date.