Guide: Ask them to follow first
This page: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-steps/ask-them-to-follow-first
Topic: Flow steps
Time: about 3 minutes
Who can do it: Owner, Administrator or Manager
Author: https://anantgupta.xyz (Anant Gupta, founder of CommentWatchDog)
Start in the app: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/inbox
Result when done: Only followers go on; others are asked again, then take the No way.
Context: Ask to follow sends a card with two buttons: one opens your profile, the other checks with Instagram whether they follow. Followers go on at once; someone who has not followed yet gets your "not following yet" line with the same buttons, up to the number of asks you set, then takes the No way.

Before you start:
1. Instagram only.
2. Instagram says whether someone follows only after they write or tap, so this step goes after the private reply.
3. The card text is up to 160 characters (a title of 80 and a subtitle of 80).

Steps:
Step 1 of 4: Add Ask to follow to your flow.
Where: Open the flow (Automation, then the flow's row). In the Steps panel on the left, under Ask and wait, drag Ask to follow onto the canvas, or select the step it should follow and click Ask to follow. On a phone: Add step at the top left of the canvas, then Ask to follow under Ask and wait. In a comment flow it goes after the private reply's tap.
Link: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/inbox (Open the app)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-flow-palette.en.webp (The Steps panel: Ask to follow, under Ask and wait.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-flow-palette-phone.en.webp (On a phone, Add step lists the same steps: Ask to follow, under Ask and wait.)
You should see: The Ask to follow card is on the canvas and its settings panel is open (a sheet on a phone).

Step 2 of 4: Write the ask.
Where: Panel, the box at the top: the ask, such as Follow us to get the link.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-node-follow.en.webp (The ask's message.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-node-follow-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: The card shows the ask.

Step 3 of 4: Name the two buttons.
Where: Panel, Buttons: two labels. The first (Visit profile) opens your profile, the second (I'm following) checks whether they follow.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-node-follow.en.webp (The two buttons.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-node-follow-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: The card shows both buttons.

Step 4 of 4: Set what happens when they have not followed.
Where: Panel, If they are not following yet: the line sent with the same buttons. Ask at most: Once, Twice or 3 times; after that, the No way.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-node-follow.en.webp (Ask at most, under the not following yet line.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-node-follow-more-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: The ways read Yes (they follow you) and No (not after the asks).

If something is off:
Problem: Facebook doesn't say who follows a Page
Fix: The follow check works on Instagram only.
Problem: It will not connect right after the start
Fix: Instagram answers the follow question only after the person writes or taps. Put it after the private reply's tap.
Problem: Instagram did not answer the check
Fix: The card goes once more; if Instagram still does not say, they go on as a follower would. Unknown is never "not following".

Common questions:
Question: How many times does it ask?
Answer: Once, twice or 3 times, as you set (twice by default), then the No way.
Question: Are new follows counted?
Answer: Yes. Follows gained through the check are counted per day in the flow's Insights.

Related guides:
- Send the private reply: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-steps/send-the-private-reply
- Check their Instagram profile: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-conditions/check-their-instagram-profile
- Send a message with buttons and quick replies: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-steps/send-a-message-with-buttons-and-quick-replies

Plain text of this guide: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-steps/ask-them-to-follow-first.md
All guides for assistants: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/llms.txt