# Automated Instagram chatbot for sales and support

> Zinochat's Instagram chatbot is an AI assistant that automatically answers Direct messages, recommends products, and closes orders 24/7. It replies from your own data, in your brand voice, and hands off to a human when needed.

## What can the Instagram chatbot do?

One AI assistant handles the whole conversation in Direct, from the first question to the moment the order is created.

- **Recommend products**: Answers from the information in your shop's knowledge base, in your brand voice.
- **Understand photos**: When customers send a screenshot or product photo, the bot identifies the item they mean.
- **Quote prices and stock**: Answers right away about price, size, color, availability, and current promotions.
- **Take orders in Direct**: When a customer decides, the bot asks for name, phone number, and delivery address and creates the order in the conversation, with no form to fill in.
- **Follow up with undecided customers**: Checks back with customers who are still deciding, so fewer orders slip away.
- **Hand off to a human**: When a conversation needs a person, your team takes over with the full history and context.

## How it works

From a Direct message to a context-aware reply in seconds.

1. **A customer messages you**: They send a question, a photo, or a request in Instagram Direct.
2. **Zinochat receives it**: The message lands in your Zinochat inbox instantly, even outside business hours.
3. **It checks your knowledge base**: Zino finds the product details, policies, and prices that fit the question.
4. **The AI drafts a reply**: The answer fits the conversation and sounds like your shop.
5. **It answers and takes the order**: The bot replies, creates the order when the customer decides, or hands off to your team.

Connect with an Instagram professional account; no linked Facebook Page required.

## A real example

> **Customer (Instagram Direct):** "Do you still have this in size M?"
>
> **Zino checked:** Finds the product in the knowledge base → Confirms size M is in stock → Suggests something to pair it with
>
> **Zino:** "Yes, size M is in stock! It looks lovely with our beige linen skirt. Would you like to order now?"

It all happens in seconds, even when the shop is closed.

## What is an Instagram chatbot?

An Instagram chatbot is software that automatically answers Direct messages on Instagram instead of a human agent. Rather than making customers wait, the bot recommends products, answers questions, and takes orders instantly, 24/7.

Zinochat's Instagram chatbot is **AI-native**: it understands natural language and replies from your own shop data, instead of only matching fixed keywords like traditional scripted tools.

## Rule-based vs. AI chatbot

| Rule-based chatbot | AI chatbot (Zinochat) |
| --- | --- |
| Matches fixed keywords only | Understands natural language |
| Rigid scripts that stall | Flexible, context-aware conversation |
| Hard to update, edit the flow | Learns from the knowledge base, updates fast |
| No memory of earlier context | Follows and understands the thread |

## Frequently asked questions

### Does the Instagram chatbot reply to Direct messages automatically?

Yes. Zinochat connects directly to Instagram Direct and automatically answers incoming messages, even outside business hours, based on the knowledge base you provide.

### Does it understand different languages?

Yes. Zinochat uses natural-language AI, so it understands how customers actually write, including abbreviations and informal phrasing.

### Can the chatbot create orders automatically?

Yes. The bot recommends products, quotes prices, then records the product and quantity with the name, phone number, and address, and creates the order right in the Direct conversation. Orders appear on your Orders page for your team to track and fulfill.

### When does it hand off to a human?

You set the handoff rules — for example when a customer asks for a person, the conversation goes beyond the script, or an order is high value — and Zinochat routes it to the right teammate.

### How long does setup take?

Connecting Instagram and loading your knowledge base takes only a few minutes. You can test the bot in a sandbox before it goes live with customers.

### What do I need to connect Instagram?

An Instagram professional account (Business or Creator). You log in to Instagram and grant access right inside Zinochat; no linked Facebook Page is required.

### How much does Zinochat's Instagram chatbot cost?

Each connected Instagram account costs 120,000 VND (about $5)/month, and team members are free. AI usage is billed in credits, 100,000 VND for 100,000 credits, and unused credits never expire. New accounts get a 7-day free trial.

- Sign up: https://app.zinochat.com/signup
- URL: https://zinochat.com/en/chatbot-instagram/
- Updated: September 28, 2026