Follow gate: send your link only to people who follow you

A comment-to-DM automation already turns comments into conversations. A follow gate adds one step: the person is asked to follow you first, and the link arrives once they have. It turns a giveaway or a free guide into new followers, not just new comments.

How it works

1. Someone comments your keyword (or replies to your story).
2. Instead of the link, they get a short message asking them to follow, with two buttons: “I've followed ✅” and “Visit profile”.
3. When they tap “I've followed ✅”, AiHopper checks with Instagram whether they really follow you.
4. Followers get your DM with the link; anyone who hasn't followed yet gets a gentle reminder.

When to use it (and when not)

• Use it for things people actively want: a free guide, a discount code, a template, a giveaway entry.
• Don't use it on replies to customer questions about price, delivery or orders: making a buyer follow first loses sales.
• Keep one gated freebie running at a time, so the ask doesn't feel constant.

Setting it up in AiHopper

In any comment or story automation, turn on the follow step and write your ask and reminder. Everything else works as before: the public reply under the comment, the DM, the link as a “Click here” button and the lead saved in your list.