A link that starts a conversation
An ig.me or m.me link for your bio, ads or emails: their first message brings yours, with the source named on the person.
On this page
Before you start
- Growth and above.
- Unique names; printed codes keep the old one.
- An expiry changes the first message.
Name the link and copy it.
Your linkNameCopy · QR code
You will see Copy confirms; QR downloads.
Write the first message and save.
The first messageSave
You will see The link scene on the phone.
If something is off
- Nothing happens when I open the link
- The first message follows their first message.
- I changed the name and my QR codes stopped working
- Printed codes keep the old name.
Common questions
Where do I see who came from the link?
People, filtered to this automation or to the tag: the tag is on each person, a filter at the top of People, and a column in the export.
How do tags work?
A tag is a record on your account. Wherever a tag is typed, the box searches the ones you have and offers Create for a new one; Enter creates it. A spelling close to an existing tag (a typo, a capital, a space for a hyphen) is offered the existing one first, so "From Guide" and "from-guide" never become two tags.
Can one page have several links?
Yes, one automation per link, each with its own name and first message.
For agents: plain text of this guide · all guides
For agents
Guide: A link that starts a conversation
This page: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/keyword-automations/a-link-that-starts-a-conversation
Topic: Automation
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: An ig.me or m.me link for your bio, ads or emails: their first message brings yours, with the source named on the person.
Context: The link itself sends nothing; Meta does not allow a message before the person writes. On Instagram their first message brings your first message; on Messenger a tap on Get Started does. The name in the link is the tag on the person under People, so you know who came from the bio, the packaging or the campaign.
Before you start
1. Growth and above.
2. The link name must be unique on the page; change it and printed QR codes keep pointing to the old one.
3. A campaign link can expire on a date: it still opens a chat, the first message changes.
Steps
Step 1 of 2: Name the link and copy it.
Where: Step 1, Your link: the name (letters, numbers and dashes), the live link, Copy, and QR code, which opens a code to download and print.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/automation-editor-link.en.webp (The link, Copy and QR code.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/automation-editor-link-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: Copy confirms in the button; the QR modal offers Download PNG.
Step 2 of 2: Write the first message and save.
Where: Step 2, The first message: the text and chips they can tap, then Add another message for up to five more (a text, an image or video, a PDF, a card with buttons), each sent as its own message right after. Advanced settings: Ask for their email or phone, Tag the contact, Expire the link.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/automation-editor-link-message.en.webp (The first message with chips.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/automation-editor-link-phone-message.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: The phone shows the link opening the chat and your first message.
If something is off
Problem: Nothing happens when I open the link
Fix: The link opens the chat; the first message goes when the person writes (Instagram) or taps Get Started (Messenger). Nothing goes before that.
Problem: I changed the name and my QR codes stopped working
Fix: A printed code keeps the old name. Keep the old link as its own automation, or reprint.
Common questions
Question: Where do I see who came from the link?
Answer: People, filtered to this automation or to the tag: the tag is on each person, a filter at the top of People, and a column in the export.
Question: How do tags work?
Answer: A tag is a record on your account. Wherever a tag is typed, the box searches the ones you have and offers Create for a new one; Enter creates it. A spelling close to an existing tag (a typo, a capital, a space for a hyphen) is offered the existing one first, so "From Guide" and "from-guide" never become two tags.
Question: Can one page have several links?
Answer: Yes, one automation per link, each with its own name and first message.
Related guides
People and exports: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/keyword-automations/people-and-exports
Answer messages that contain a keyword: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/keyword-automations/answer-messages-that-contain-a-keyword
Plans and automations: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/keyword-automations/plans-and-automations
Plain text of this guide: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/keyword-automations/a-link-that-starts-a-conversation.md
All guides for assistants: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/llms.txt
