How to Set Up Instagram Comment Moderation Rules

Moderation Rules are more powerful than simple keyword filters for Instagram comment automation. Instead of matching one word, a Rule tests multiple conditions together — using data from the Instagram Graph API — allowing you to build highly targeted Instagram comment automations that avoid false positives.

Rules vs Keyword Filters

Feature	Keyword Filters	Rules
Number of conditions	One (the keyword)	Multiple (AND / OR logic)
Condition types	Word/phrase match only	Keyword, emoji count, comment length, account followers, username pattern
Complexity	Simple, fast to set up	More complex, handles edge cases
Best for	Obvious spam, quick wins	Nuanced filtering, lead qualification

Creating a Rule — Step by Step

Go to Moderation → Rules tab

Click Moderation in the sidebar, then select the Rules tab.

Click "Add Rule"

A rule builder panel opens. Give your rule a descriptive name (e.g., "Spam bots — low follower + emoji flood").

Define your conditions

Add one or more conditions. Available condition types:

Comment contains — Word or phrase match (same as keyword filter)
Comment does not contain — Useful for exclusions
Comment length < N characters — Flag very short "DM me!" comments
Emoji count > N — Detect emoji-spam comments
Username contains — Block accounts with patterns like "bot" or random numbers
Account follower count < N — Target very new or bot accounts

Set condition logic: AND / OR

If you add multiple conditions, choose AND (all conditions must be true) or OR (any one condition must be true). Example: Emoji count > 5 AND follower count < 100 will catch spam bots but not real fans who use lots of emojis.

Choose the action

Same options as keyword filters: Hide, Delete, Auto Reply, or Send DM.

Save and activate

Click Save Rule. The rule is active immediately. Rules are evaluated in the order they appear in the list — drag to reorder. Rules run after keyword filters.

Example Rule Combinations

Spam bot catcher: Emoji count > 8 AND follower count < 50 → Delete
Qualified lead capture: Comment contains "price" OR "how much" AND comment length > 10 chars → Send DM with pricing info
Competitor mention suppressor: Comment contains [competitor name] → Hide

💡 Tip: Start with broad rules and monitor for false positives. The Rules list shows a count of how many times each rule has fired — use this to spot over-triggering rules and refine conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between moderation rules and keyword filters in InstaGrow?

Keyword filters match a single word or phrase. Moderation rules support multiple conditions combined with AND or OR logic — letting you filter by keyword, emoji count, comment length, account follower count, and username pattern all at once.

In what order does InstaGrow evaluate moderation rules?

Rules are evaluated in the order they appear in your Rules list. Keyword filters run first, then rules are checked in sequence. You can drag rules to reorder them and control which rule takes priority.

Can I use both keyword filters and moderation rules at the same time?

Yes. Keyword filters and moderation rules run independently and can be active at the same time. Keyword filters are evaluated first, then moderation rules run in the order listed.

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