Instant vs Flow Automations
When to use a one-step Instant Automation and when to build a multi-step Flow on the visual canvas.
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Instant vs Flow Automations
Botyoo has two ways to build an automation. Picking the right one saves time.
Instant Automations
A single-trigger, single-action setup with built-in options. Best for the common cases:
- Reply to a comment with a DM
- Deliver a link gated behind a follow
- Capture an email before sharing an offer
Instant Automations come with built-in toggles you don’t have to wire up:
| Built-in option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Welcome Message | First reply before the main DM |
| Auto Reply | Public comment reply (with rotating variations) |
| Follow Gate | Send the offer only after the user follows |
| Email Gate | Collect an email inside the DM before sending the link |
| Follow-ups | Schedule reminder messages on a delay |
No visual canvas. Just a form. Most users only need this.
Flows
A visual canvas for multi-step conversations. Use Flows when you need:
- Several messages in sequence
- Time delays between messages
- Different actions based on what the user does
- Media files (photo, video, audio) mixed with text
- Buttons that link to multiple destinations
You drag steps top-to-bottom on a dotted grid. Each step is a card; click the + between cards to insert a new one.
Which one should you pick?
| You want to… | Use |
|---|---|
| Reply to comments with a link | Instant |
| Grow followers with a freebie | Instant (Follow Gate) |
| Collect emails before sending a code | Instant (Email Gate) |
| Send a 3-step nurture sequence | Flow |
| Send an image + text + delayed follow-up | Flow |
| Branch by which button the user taps | Flow (with URL buttons) |
Start with an Instant Automation. Move to a Flow only when you need a step Instant can’t provide.
Switching between them
You can’t convert an Instant Automation into a Flow directly. If you outgrow Instant, create a new Flow that replicates the steps, then pause the Instant Automation.
What’s next
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