TikTok Auto Reply: Welcome, Keyword and Suggested Questions
How TikTok auto reply works for business accounts: the four automatic message types, who gets them, character limits, review times and what they can't do.
By Chatmizer TeamPublished 7 min read
The short answer
TikTok auto reply for business accounts comes as four automatic message types in Business Suite: a welcome message, keyword replies, suggested questions and chat prompts. They need Advanced Access or a verified business account, and Receive messages from Everyone must be on. Welcome messages are capped at 250 characters, keyword replies match exact keywords only, and new messages go through review first.
TikTok sends more first messages to small businesses than most owners expect, usually right after a video takes off. Its built-in automatic messages are a solid first layer. They also have specific limits that decide what you can and can't do with them, and almost nobody explains those limits in one place.
The four TikTok auto reply types
| Type | When it fires | Limit (TikTok help center) |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome message | When someone opens a chat with you | 250 characters |
| Keyword reply | When a message matches a keyword exactly | Keyword 40, reply 500 characters |
| Suggested questions | Shown as tappable questions in the chat | Question 80, answer 200 characters |
| Chat prompts | Short prompts that start the conversation | Set and toggled in Message center |
Who can use TikTok auto reply
- Business accounts with Advanced Access, or Verified Business Accounts. General accounts don't get these features.
- Receive messages from Everyone must be on. TikTok prompts you to switch it on when you set up the first automatic message.
- Each type has its own toggle. A message set up but not toggled on is never sent.
How to set up TikTok auto reply
- 1Open your profile, then Business Suite, then Message center (or Business Center on desktop).
- 2Choose Automatic messages.
- 3Write the welcome message first: who you are, what people can ask, and how fast you reply.
- 4Add keyword replies for your top questions, using the exact words customers type.
- 5Add up to a few suggested questions with short, complete answers.
- 6Submit, wait for review, then switch each one on.
What TikTok auto reply can't do
- Exact match only. "price" triggers, "what's the price?" may not. List the variants people actually type, in each language.
- No understanding. It sends a fixed answer; it can't combine "size M, blue, Cairo" into one reply.
- No comment trigger. TikTok doesn't let a business send a first DM to someone who only commented. You can reply publicly and invite them to message you.
- Some regions can't receive business DMs from automation, such as accounts in the EU, UK or Switzerland, depending on TikTok's rules there.
That third point shapes every TikTok sales flow: the public reply to a comment is the only thing the commenter sees until they message you. Write it to invite the DM. More on the platform's messaging rules in TikTok business messages.
Chatmizer answers TikTok DMs with an AI agent that understands the actual question, replies to comments publicly to invite the DM, and continues in private once the customer writes.
See TikTok DM automationA TikTok auto reply set that works
- Welcome: "Hi! Ask us about prices, sizes or delivery, or tap a question below. We reply within minutes."
- Keywords: price, how much, delivery, size, order, plus the same words in Arabic.
- Suggested questions: How much is it? Do you deliver to me? How do I order?
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I see automatic messages on TikTok?
They need a business account with Advanced Access or a Verified Business Account, and Receive messages from Everyone switched on. General accounts don't have them.
How long is a TikTok welcome message?
Up to 250 characters, according to TikTok's help center.
Can TikTok send a DM when someone comments?
No. A business can't send the first DM to someone who only commented. Reply publicly and invite them to message you; automation can continue once they do.
How long does TikTok take to approve automatic messages?
TikTok's Business Center guide says review typically takes about one to five days, and a message under review can't be edited.
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