Instagram remains a goldmine for lead generation in 2025, but most users still rely on outdated direct message (DM) automations that barely scratch the surface of what’s possible. In this in-depth guide, you’ll discover an advanced GoHighLevel Instagram automation workflow designed to produce over 150 targeted leads per week. This high-converting strategy goes far beyond basic comment triggers and auto DMs—leveraging powerful workflow customization and innovative data extraction tactics. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced marketer, you’ll learn how to build and launch this system step by step to truly supercharge your results.
Based on the original video:
Why Advanced Instagram Automation is a Game-Changer
Generating leads from Instagram is not new—but most automations rely on simple comment keywords and generic direct messages. This often leads to missed opportunities, poor engagement, and low conversions. A well-structured GoHighLevel Instagram automation workflow, however, can:
- Collect and nurture leads automatically, freeing up your time and resources
- Build goodwill and foster higher social proof by responding to comments in human-like ways
- Route qualified prospects to other optimized channels for maximum ROI
- Empower your team to follow-up efficiently within a robust CRM
This approach also allows you to go beyond Instagram’s native limitations and harness data scraping and enrichment, uncovering otherwise hidden opportunities.
Understanding the GoHighLevel Instagram Automation Strategy
At its core, this strategy marries content creation with automation and smart data utilization:
- Encourage audience members to leave a specific comment keyword on your post
- Trigger precise workflows based on those keywords or any comment at all
- Reply on the post and send personalized DMs in a human-like cadence
- Move warm leads out of Instagram and into your CRM or sales pipeline
Beyond basic automation, this system enables you to enrich new leads with additional contact information using public Instagram data. This opens doors for outbound campaigns on multiple channels, not just DMs.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Instagram Automation Workflow
1. Ensure Proper Integration and Account Setup
Before you start, connect your business Instagram and Facebook pages within GoHighLevel. This ensures the full functionality of Facebook Messenger and Instagram DM integrations required for automation. Your Instagram profile must be a business account and linked to the correct Facebook page. Take a moment to enable both Messenger channels for the right accounts.
2. Create the Workflow Trigger
Inside GoHighLevel, create a workflow with the trigger “Instagram comments on a post.” Choose the appropriate Instagram page and specify the published post. Here’s what you need to consider for keywords:
- Include all variations and potential misspellings of your keyword (e.g., “tool,” “tools”)
- Aim for first-level comments only for primary workflows, to reduce clutter from conversations
Optionally, you can set up a DM-based trigger for scenarios where you want users to message you a keyword directly.
3. Design a Human-Like Automation Sequence
To make your automation feel authentic and increase engagement, follow these steps:
- Add a wait step (e.g., 1 minute) before responding
- Send the promised resource or link via DM—decide whether you’ll gate the content behind an opt-in page or provide it directly as a goodwill gesture
- Add another short wait, then reply to the user’s comment (“Sent you the link!”, “Check your DMs!”). Use randomized responses for a human touch
- Like the comment to boost post engagement and credibility
- Include a check-in message a few minutes later to ensure delivery and show genuine care
These micro-interactions help foster trust and dramatically improve your conversion rates from cold Instagram users to warm, engaged leads.
4. Duplicating Workflows for Scalability
Any time you want to run a new campaign or target a different keyword, simply duplicate the workflow, update the triggers, and personalize the offer or resource. GoHighLevel makes it easy to scale up campaigns with minimal effort: launching a new automation can take less than two minutes.
5. Streamlining Lead Follow-Up Inside GoHighLevel
Another advantage of using GoHighLevel over alternative DM platforms is centralized lead tracking:
- Use the built-in conversations tab to filter and monitor new Instagram leads
- Assign appointment setters or sales reps to follow up and close inbound prospects
- Utilize pipeline management and snippets for faster outreach
This integration keeps your team aligned and responsive. It eliminates excessive costs from pay-per-contact platforms, enabling you to scale outreach as broadly as your content can reach new audiences.
Unlocking the Advanced DM Pitch Workflow
Once your base campaign is running smoothly, it’s time to level up with a global DM pitch automation. This strategy lets you:
- Capture every single comment, on every post, regardless of the keyword
- Filter for first-time entrants to avoid spamming and cut repetition
- Initiate soft, conversational DMs that build rapport and qualify leads
Set the workflow trigger to “comments on any Instagram post” and remove the keyword filter. Prevent repeat DMs by adjusting re-entry settings and using tagging logic—ensuring users only receive your pitch once. This approach turns every commenter into a potential conversation and business opportunity.
Soft Pitching: The Art of Starting Conversations
The initial DM in this workflow asks a simple question, such as:
“Thanks again for the comment! I was curious what brought you here—are you running a business or starting one?”
This non-intrusive opener sparks engagement and encourages authentic dialogue. From here, you or your appointment setter can naturally transition into discussing your offer, based on their reply.
Pro-Level Data Enrichment: Leveraging Scrapers and AI
To overcome Instagram’s limited user information, this workflow includes a powerful data enrichment process. Here’s how it works:
- Upon comment receipt, send a webhook with the user’s Instagram username
- Use a scraper (like Apify) to extract profile details, such as website, full name, and bio
- Run an AI-powered research step to cross-reference details, searching for business names, emails, job titles, and more using external databases
- If enriched, pass the data back into GoHighLevel for multi-channel outreach—like email or voice drops
While this advanced step only “succeeds” about 10% of the time, those successful matches are pure gold—real business owners or prospects with verifiable contact details. If you’re running campaigns with hundreds of comments per week, these leads can have a massive impact on your pipeline.
Use Case Example: Extracting and Converting High-Value Leads
Suppose someone comments on your post. The automation grabs their username (“thomas.not.jefferson”), scrapes their public profile, and retrieves their website. Now, with a combination of AI and contact databases, their email is found—they’re entered into a tailored cold email campaign, voicemail drop, or even a LinkedIn outreach flow. Before this process, you’d only be able to message them within Instagram; now your possibilities are multiplied.
Key Takeaways for Successful Instagram Automation in 2025
- Advanced GoHighLevel workflows can yield significantly more Instagram leads than traditional auto DM tools
- Micro-delays, random responses, and check-ins create authentically human interactions
- Automated data scraping and enrichment unlocks high-value, multi-channel lead opportunities
- Tagging, workflow duplication, and filtered inboxes enable fast scaling and precise targeting
- Even a 10% success rate in data enrichment can translate into dozens of qualified leads each week for most users
Real-World Impact: Scaling Beyond Instagram DMs
This modern workflow enables you to collect Instagram leads automatically, engage them with genuine conversations, and, when possible, move them into other channels. By integrating AI enrichment, your team or appointment setter can maximize the value of every interaction—focusing outreach efforts only on the warmest prospects.
For users comparing scheduling and automation tools, see our deep dive on online scheduling platforms and their advantages for remote teams.
FAQ: GoHighLevel Instagram Automation Workflows
How does GoHighLevel compare to traditional DM automation tools?
GoHighLevel offers much greater flexibility, better integration with CRMs, and advanced workflow customization. Unlike many standalone DM bots, it supports tagging, duplication, and direct assignment to appointment setters, making it ideal for scaling serious lead generation.
What triggers should I use for Instagram automation workflows?
Start with “comment on post” (filtered for specific keywords) for focused campaigns and “comment on any post” for broader lead capture. Add “customer replied” triggers to monitor DMs and enable multi-step engagement sequences.
Can I extract an Instagram user’s email or phone number legally?
You may extract publicly available information using scraping tools or AI enrichment, but always respect privacy laws and Instagram’s terms of service. Use gathered contact details solely for ethical, value-driven outreach.
What should my first DM say to new leads?
Begin with a low-friction, conversational message—such as asking whether they run or are starting a business. Avoid hard pitches at first; building rapport increases reply rates dramatically.
What if the data enrichment step fails?
This is common—most Instagram profiles lack deep public info. With large enough campaigns, even a 10% match rate yields valuable prospects. Continue nurturing remaining leads in-app for best results.
