Instagram Direct Messages are on the brink of a big makeover. On Wednesday, Facebook announced plans to essentially integrate Instagram DMs and Facebook Messenger, allowing users to communicate. . Shoot and share fun messages faster than ever before. Your Instagram friends are instantly added. Exclusive face filters, Boomerang and Instagram creative tools. Remix your friends' pics.
Direct Messaging on Instagram has grown (and is still growing) to become an integral core of the social media platform. With DMs, you can communicate beautifully with your followers and other Instagram users. Just like at times Instagram faces loading issues, even the direct messages take face a down time. In this guide, we aggregate some solutions to DM-related issues on Instagram.
All the solutions in this guide are apply to Android and iPhone. To fix Direct Messages issues on Instagram Web, refer to methods #1, #4, #6, and #7. Let's get right to it.
Also on Guiding Tech- Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
- In a new update released Tuesday, Instagram introduced their new 'remix' feature, which allows users to edit, draw on, or even add stickers and emojis to direct message photos their friends send them.
- Facebook announced Wednesday it's integrating Messenger chat with Instagram direct messages, pushing it toward its goal of a unified messaging system across its three messaging apps.
How to Fix Instagram Save to Collection Not Working (And Other Tips)
Read More1. Check Internet Connection
Of course, it's impossible to use Instagram without an active internet connection. If you also can't view photos and videos on your IG timeline in addition to being unable to send direct messages, the problem is most likely connectivity-related. Put your phone in Airplane mode and turn it off after some seconds. That will help refresh your device's internet connection. If the issue persists, check that your router is working correctly. For cellular data, make sure you have an active internet connection, and you're in a region with strong network strength and reception.
2. Relaunch Instagram
Close or force stop the app on your smartphone and launch it again. If you still can't send DMs to anyone, you could try logging out of your Instagram account and signing back in. If you use an Android smartphone, clearing Instagram's cache might help.
Instagram Direct Message Online
3. Update Instagram
The snag could also be due to a bug or an in-app malfunction.Instagram works promptly on correcting these errors, and sometimes, the fixes are shipped with a new app version. Therefore, you might have to install the updated Instagram app to squash the bug preventing you from sending direct messages. Update Instagram on yourdevice and check if that fixes the DM issue.
Update Instagram (for iOS)Update Instagram (for Android)4. You've Been Blocked, Maybe
If your internet is working correctly, and so is the Instagram app, there's the possibility that the issue isn't from your end. If you can't send direct messages to a particular user, there are two possibilities to consider. One, the user has configured their account's privacy settings to restrict DMs. Secondly, the person has blocked you. When blocked on Instagram, you might be unable to send direct messages. We have a detailed guide explaining how to know if someone blocked you on Instagram. You should also read more about what happens when you've been blocked on IG.
5. Use a VPN
This trick is for Instagram users who can't initiate a DM conversation. If you tried sending a first-time DM to anyone on Instagram, but it doesn't go through, a VPN might help. Here's how it works.
First, close Instagram, launch the VPN app, and turn on the VPN connection. Now, relaunch Instagram and try sending the DM again. You don't need to have the VPN on at all times. A VPN helps to get you in the door. You can continue the conversation and send subsequent messages with or without the VPN.
It's also worth mentioning that a free VPN would suffice for this. We have compiled and reviewed some great Android VPN apps and for iOS devices as well. They are fast, secure, and all offer free plan/subscription that's sufficient to help you send DM on Instagram.
6. Check Instagram Server Status
The servers powering Instagram sometimes go offline. Hence causing the entire app or some of its features (direct messaging, for example) to stop working. This has happened multiple times in the past and is bound to happen now and again. You can use tools like DownDetector to check if the Instagram servers are online. The tool also tells you if other users are experiencing any (similar) difficulties with Instagram.
Check Instagram Status (Down Detector)7. Wait It Out
It's common practice for social media apps to limit the usage rate of select features or services. As a spam-prevention measure, Instagram could temporarily restrict you from sending DMs if you've messaged too many users—particularly people you don't follow—within a short time span. We've seen reports from numerous Instagram users temporarily restricted from sending direct messages because they DM-ed too many people.
And because there's no official Instagram policy or documentation regarding DM limits, it's somewhat difficult to know if you've sent too many messages or not. However, we discovered that sending between 30 - 100 DMs to users you aren't following could get you banned from research. So, we recommend you work with that range as a guide and avoid going overboard with the number of (daily) DMs you send.
As mentioned earlier, the ban is only temporary and typically lasts for 24 hours only. If you cannot wait for that long, and you're sure you didn't send multiple DMs in a spam-like manner, proceed to the next troubleshooting solutions below. But if Instagram has truly banned you, you've got no choice but to wait till the end of the ban.
8. Update Phone's OS
If you still can't send DMs but other Instagram users can, the problem could be from your device. Check for software updates and make sure you have the latest OS version running on your smartphone. This applies to both Android and iOS devices.
Also on Guiding TechHow to Fix Instagram Story Stuck at Posting Issue
Read MoreDM Freely In Style
Restarting your smartphone (or browser—for Instagram Web) is also an effective troubleshooting solution that we recommend. Drop a comment below if you need any more help.
Next up:Do you miss out on Instagram messages because you don't get DM notifications on your smartphone? Check the solutions in the post linked below to fix the problem.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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Direct Message For Instagram 4 1 6 Months
As Instagram passes the ten-year mark, the social media app has become more popular than ever, especially for businesses: A third of all Instagram Stories come from business accounts, and 20% of these posts elicit at least one direct message from a consumer.
While new video filters and widgets roll out each month to help us create better content and express ourselves, the app's most lucrative feature is one that entrepreneurs may easily overlook: Direct messaging.
Business owners and consumers alike are becoming increasingly comfortable with conversation within the direct messaging function. This is a big opportunity if you're just getting started with a new product or service and need a scrappy, zero-cost outreach strategy.
With direct messages, you can privately build your network and even pitch your services. Since Instagram also houses all your past posts on your profile for browsing, you can show off your work and let prospects vet you without ever leaving the app.
Users now spend nearly an hour a day on Instagram alone, and you can use that hour to cash in on your side hustle. Here are three suggestions for using Instagram DMs as a lead generation strategy.
Related: 8 Examples of Brilliant Instagram Marketing
Offer free help at the outset
Personalization continues to be a white-hot trend in marketing. Rather than copy-and-pasting a bland message a hundred times over and spamming everyone in sight, take a moment to examine the account of each prospective business you find. Identify where you might be able to help out. Then send a thoughtful, customized message and offer to serve them — for free, at first.
Almost no one is willing to spend the time or resources it takes to offer a pro bono trial period, which is why this approach can give you a competitive advantage. If and when you deliver great results, the receiving party is more likely to engage with you, refer you, or even buy from you.
In psychology, it's called the law of reciprocity. When you go out of your way to help someone, they're more likely to be open to working with you or helping you in the future.
The key is to make it dead-simple for your prospect to say yes. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Avoid open-ended questions. Native instruments kontakt 6 v6 2 1. 'Need help with something?' is a death trap because it asks an already-busy business owner to stop what they're doing, think, and then type out a response to a stranger in their inbox. Lead with a simple yes/no question instead.
Offer something that decompresses them. Perhaps you offer a free trial of your service, or a way for them to produce more marketing content (writing, photo editing, videos) without lifting a finger on their end.
Keep it short. In a texting, direct-messaging culture, short and sweet will help to encourage conversation. If you drone on and on about how great you are, the conversation feels more like a monologue than dialogue.
It's much easier to retain an existing client than it is to close a new one. Make those on the receiving end of your direct messaging efforts feel like they are already clients of yours before they cough up a dime.
Related: How to Use Instagram: An Introduction to Instagram Marketing Tower 4 2.
Have a portfolio
Why Instagram in particular? Unlike other platforms likw LinkedIn or email outreach, Instagram makes it easy for users to jump from the direct message inbox straight to your profile to vet you and see examples of your work.
Over 80% of prospects want to see how your product or service works within the very first touch point. Use your own account's feed and Story highlights to show off past work and and generate interest. The advantage of doing free work is that you'll build your portfolio, and being able to show someone what you do is so much more powerful than trying to explain to them what you do.
When doing free work or just getting started with a side hustle, keep a few things in mind:
Document the before and after. Your free work might lead to an impressive transformation in business or personal results. Before-and-after content is clean, compelling and easy to understand, but may be harder to create if you forget to document day one.
Use yourself as an example. Do you create video montages? Even if you're pitching businesses, content in which you are the subject can help to illustrate the point and show off your technical prowess.
Ask happy clients if you can name-drop. In the age of the Internet, prospects spend more time weighing their options and comparing services than ever before. If you've done work for another client and they were pleased with the results, name-dropping them and making them available for questions could be what seals the deal for your next client.
Develop thick skin
You're going to get quite a few no's and even more prospects will flat-out ignore you. Don't let this discourage you: Sales is ultimately a numbers game, and receiving rejections is just business as usual. Consider these statistics on sales conversion metrics:
44% of salespeople give up on a prospect after one phone call
63% of people who ask for more information won't buy for over three months
Replying to a lead within one hour makes it 7 times more likely you'll have meaningful conversation with an important decision-maker.
No matter what industry your side hustle falls into, strong sales muscles will help you grow. If you're willing to put in the work, Instagram can serve as more than a highlight reel of picture-perfect selfies and vacation photos. Play the long game, set time aside each week to prioritize outreach, and you'll welcome both rejections and revenue with open arms.
Related: 7 Marketing Tips to Help Grow Your Brand on Instagram
