If you run a salon, a studio, or any service people find on Instagram, you already know the drill: "DM to book." It works until the DMs pile up, someone messages at midnight, and a booking slips through. The fix is to let clients book right there in the chat, automatically β this guide shows you how to connect Instagram to RentABot so that happens.
What you'll need
- An Instagram professional account (Business or Creator)
- A Facebook Page linked to that Instagram account
- A RentABot account (a free 14-day trial is enough)
- About 10 minutes
Instagram only lets apps handle messages for professional accounts connected to a Facebook Page β that's an Instagram rule, not a RentABot one. The first two steps below get that in place; if your account is already set up this way, skip ahead to connecting.
Step 1 β Switch Instagram to a professional account
In the Instagram app: Settings β Account type and tools β Switch to professional account, then choose Business (Creator works too). It's free and keeps all your posts and followers.
Step 2 β Link your Instagram to a Facebook Page
Instagram connects to RentABot through a Facebook Page, so your account needs to be linked to one. From your Facebook Page: Settings β Linked accounts β Instagram β Connect, and sign in with the Instagram account. If you don't have a Page yet, create one first β it takes a minute.
Step 3 β Allow access to messages
In Instagram: Settings β Messages and story replies β Message controls and turn Allow access to messages on. This is the switch that lets RentABot see and reply to DMs β if it's off, the bot simply won't receive anything, so don't skip it.
Step 4 β Connect Instagram in RentABot
- Log in to RentABot and open Channels.
- Find the Instagram card and click Connect.
- You'll be sent to Facebook to log in. Grant the requested access and select your Page and the linked Instagram account.
- You're redirected back and the channel shows Active.
That's the whole connection β no bot to create, no code, no tokens to copy.
Step 5 β Set up your services and availability
Before clients can book, tell RentABot what you offer and when. Add your Booking Types (services with a duration and price), your Resources (the people or rooms a booking uses), and your working hours. If you haven't done this yet, the getting-started guide walks through it.
Step 6 β Test it like a client
From a second Instagram account (or a colleague's phone), send a DM to your business account and walk through booking a slot. Pick a time outside your working hours so you don't block a real appointment. Check that it lands in RentABot and your calendar, and that the confirmation comes back in the DM. Then cancel the test booking.
Step 7 β Go live
Now make it easy to find: add a "book via DM" note and your booking link to your bio, pin a post about it, and mention it in stories. Turn on automatic reminders so clients get a nudge before the appointment β the easiest win against no-shows.
Your Instagram is now a 24/7 booking desk that never misses a DM. Ready to set it up? Start a free 14-day trial and connect Instagram in minutes.