What an Instagram DM link is
ig.me is a short-link service run by Meta that sends people straight into a conversation on Instagram. The link for your account is your handle after ig.me/ — for example https://ig.me/yourusername. When someone taps it, Instagram opens a new chat with you, or your existing chat if they’ve messaged you before. (Older Meta documentation writes the same link as ig.me/m/yourusername; you’ll see both.)
Your account needs to be an Instagram professional account (Creator or Business) for messaging tools to work with these links.
How to make your link (one minute)
Write your handle after ig.me/
If your Instagram is @lunabakery, your link is https://ig.me/lunabakery. No app or generator needed — it’s just a URL.
Test it on your phone
Open the link from another account on your phone: it should open Instagram with a chat to you. Remember it won’t open on Instagram Web.
Shorten or style it if you like
It already is short. If you want it on print, turn it into a QR code (below).
Tag each link to know where people came from
Add a ref parameter to the end: https://ig.me/lunabakery?ref=newsletter. When someone opens the chat from that link, Meta passes the ref value to the messaging tools connected to your account — so you can tell the newsletter crowd from the YouTube crowd, or start a different conversation for each.
- Up to 2,083 characters, using only letters, numbers, hyphens (-), underscores (_) and equal signs (=). No spaces.
- One ref per channel works well: ?ref=youtube, ?ref=flyer, ?ref=packaging.
- If the person already has a chat with you, opening the link starts a fresh 24-hour window for your reply.
Where to use an Instagram DM link
- Website “Contact us” page — people message you instead of calling.
- Email newsletters and signatures — “Questions? DM me.”
- YouTube, TikTok and podcast descriptions — move viewers into a conversation on Instagram.
- QR codes on packaging, flyers, receipts, event badges or a shop window — Meta’s own examples include support and coupons on product packaging.
- SMS — send customers a link that opens your Instagram chat.
- Link in bio pages — a “Message me” button next to your other links.
What people see when they tap it
Instagram shows a short note at the top of the chat: in a new conversation it says the person opened it from a link, and that you’ll see they used your link once they send a message. In an existing conversation it says you can see they used your link. Nothing is sent on their behalf — they still write, or tap one of your conversation starters.
Auto-reply to everyone who taps your link
A link brings people to the chat; what happens next decides whether they buy. Meta recommends setting up conversation starters (tap-to-ask questions, also called icebreakers) for new chats opened from these links. With them in place, a messaging tool can answer the moment someone arrives — and answer differently depending on the ref.
In ohyap, every keyword automation comes with its own link and a downloadable QR code: tapping it opens your DMs and starts that automation, as if the person had typed the keyword — the price, the guide, the booking link, whatever the automation sends. It works once your conversation starters are live, and the AI answers whatever they ask next. Everything is included on the Free plan, with 200 messages a month; Creator is $15 a month for 10,000.
Common problems
- The link opens a browser page, not a chat. ig.me links aren’t supported on Instagram Web; open it on a phone with the Instagram app.
- The ref doesn’t reach your tool. Check the ref only uses letters, numbers, - _ or =, and that conversation starters are set up — Meta asks for them on new conversations from these links.
- People open the chat and leave. Give them something to tap: conversation starters, or an automatic first reply that asks one simple question.
Questions people ask
How do I make a link to my Instagram DMs?
Put your Instagram handle after ig.me/ — for example https://ig.me/yourusername. Tapping it opens a chat with your account in the Instagram app. You don’t need an app or a generator; it’s a plain URL from Meta’s own short-link service.
Does an ig.me link work on a computer?
Meta says ig.me links are currently not supported on Instagram Web, so the link is meant to be opened on a phone with the Instagram app.
Can I track who clicks my Instagram DM link?
Add a ref tag — https://ig.me/yourusername?ref=newsletter. When someone opens the chat from that link, Meta passes the ref to the messaging tools connected to your account, so you can see which link they came from and reply accordingly.
What characters can I use in the ref?
Letters, numbers, hyphens (-), underscores (_) and equal signs (=), up to 2,083 characters, with no spaces.
Can I auto-reply to people who open my DM link?
Yes. Set up conversation starters, which Meta recommends for new chats opened from these links, then connect a tool on Meta’s official API. In ohyap each keyword automation has its own link and QR code that start that automation when tapped.
Is there an Instagram DM link generator?
You don’t need one — the link is ig.me/ plus your handle. If you want a QR code and an automatic reply too, ohyap generates both for each automation, free.
Turn every link and QR code into a conversation
ohyap gives each automation its own DM link and QR code, and answers in your voice. Free to start.
Try ohyap free →Sources