Guide: Reply, attach a photo, send a GIF, record a voice note
This page: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/messages/reply-attach-a-photo-send-a-gif-record-a-voice-note
Topic: Messages
Time: about 3 minutes
Who can do it: Anyone on your team
Author: https://anantgupta.xyz (Anant Gupta, founder of CommentWatchDog)
Start in the app: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/inbox
Result when done: You can answer a customer with whatever the moment needs, without leaving the page.
Context: The composer in Messages carries the things a real conversation needs: text, an image, a GIF, an emoji and a voice note. Everything is sent as your page.

Before you start:
1. Images can be up to 8 MB.
2. Recording a voice note needs microphone permission in your browser.
3. A message that cannot be sent is kept with a Retry rather than lost.

Steps:
Step 1 of 3: Write and send.
Where: The composer under the thread. Enter sends; the message appears in the thread with a sending state until it is delivered.
Link: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/inbox (Open the app)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/messages-compose.en.webp (Write, then Reply.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/messages-compose-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: Your message in the thread, marked as sent, and Seen once they read it.

Step 2 of 3: Attach a photo or a GIF.
Where: The attach icon takes an image up to 8 MB; the GIF button opens a searchable picker. On a phone both are in the More sheet.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/messages-ig.en.webp (Attach an image, and Send a GIF, beside the box.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/messages-more-phone.en.webp (Photo, in the More sheet.)
You should see: The image or GIF appears in the thread as its own message.

Step 3 of 3: Record a voice note.
Where: The microphone in the composer, or Record a voice message in the phone sheet. Your browser asks for the microphone once. Stop when you are done, then send.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/messages-ig.en.webp (Record a voice note.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/messages-ig-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: A playable voice message in the thread, which the customer hears in Messenger or Instagram.

If something is off:
Problem: The image was refused
Fix: It is larger than 8 MB, or the format is not supported. Send a smaller version.
Problem: The microphone is blocked
Fix: Allow it in your browser for this site, then try again.
Problem: GIFs are unavailable
Fix: The GIF service is not answering. Try again later; everything else still works.
Problem: A message says Not sent
Fix: Meta refused it, usually because the reply window has closed. Retry is there, and the window rule is in its own guide.

Common questions:
Question: What can I send from the Messages composer in CommentWatchDog?
Answer: Text, an image up to 8 MB, a GIF from a searchable picker, an emoji and a voice note. On a phone the photo, GIF and voice options are in the More sheet.
Question: Are messages sent from my own account or from the page?
Answer: From the page. Everything you send from the composer goes out as your page, not as you personally.
Question: How do I know whether the customer has read my message?
Answer: The message shows as sent in the thread, then as Seen once they read it. While it is being delivered it carries a sending state.
Question: Does the customer hear a voice note in Messenger or Instagram?
Answer: Yes. The voice note appears as a playable message in the thread and the customer hears it in Messenger or Instagram. Your browser asks for the microphone once.

Related guides:
- The 24-hour reply window: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/messages/the-24-hour-reply-window
- React to an Instagram message: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/messages/react-to-an-instagram-message
- Translate a message and your draft: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/messages/translate-a-message-and-your-draft

Plain text of this guide: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/messages/reply-attach-a-photo-send-a-gif-record-a-voice-note.md
All guides for assistants: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/llms.txt