How to send affiliate links in Instagram DMs
Affiliate links are how many creators get paid for recommendations, and Instagram makes them awkward: captions do not allow clickable links, and the bio holds only a few. DMs fix that. The commenter asked, so the link arrives at the right moment.
This guide covers setup, multi-product reels, tracking and the disclosure rules Indian creators need to follow.
Basic setup
- Get your affiliate link from the programme (marketplace or brand).
- Set a keyword on the reel: LINK or the product name.
- Write the DM: product name, one line on why you like it, the link.
- Add a disclosure line: "Affiliate link, I may earn a commission."
- Test from a second account.
Several products in one reel
Routine, haul and "what's in my bag" reels feature several products. Send a carousel with a card for each, so viewers can tap the one they want. Tadlo AI's carousel sends 2 to 10 product cards in one DM, on every plan.
Disclosure
ASCI's influencer guidelines ask creators in India to label paid, gifted and affiliate content with a clear tag such as "Ad", "Collaboration", "Affiliate" or "Free gift", not buried among hashtags. Label the reel and caption, and repeat a short line in the DM. It protects you and keeps your audience's trust.
Link hygiene
- Check links weekly; affiliate links and product pages change.
- Use the platform's own short links where available.
- Swap out-of-stock products for alternatives quickly.
- Keep one link per product per DM, so tracking stays clean.
Tracking what earns
| Number | Where | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| DMs sent | Your DM tool | Interest |
| Link clicks | Your DM tool or link tracker | Intent |
| Orders and commission | Affiliate dashboard | Earnings per reel |
Better DMs, more clicks
- Put the link in the first lines; do not bury it.
- Say one honest thing about the product.
- Use A/B testing to compare two versions of the DM.
- Avoid long lists of hashtags or emojis before the link.
A DM that earns
"Here's everything from my morning routine. Affiliate links, I may earn a small commission. The cleanser is the one I'd buy first." Then the carousel. The disclosure is in, the recommendation feels personal, and the links are one tap away.
Affiliate links from stories
Stories work for affiliate links too. A story with "reply LINK" opens a DM where the automation sends the link, and because the reply opens the 24-hour window, you can answer follow-up questions about the product in the same thread.
Old reels keep earning
Affiliate reels get comments for weeks. Keep the rule on, update links when products change, and you will see clicks from reels you posted months ago.
Volume and caps
A viral haul reel can bring thousands of LINK comments. On tools with monthly DM caps, the latest commenters get nothing; on tools with unlimited DMs, everyone gets the link.
Our pick: Tadlo AI
Tadlo AI
Our top pick
Best for: Affiliate creators
Tadlo AI sends a carousel of 2 to 10 products in one DM on every plan, shows clicks per flow in free analytics, and lets you A/B test DM versions. Unlimited DMs mean your best reel never stops sending links.
Price: Free forever plan with no card needed. Paid plans start at ₹249 a month in India or $5 a month elsewhere. Every plan, including Free, has unlimited automations and unlimited DMs (no monthly DM quota and no per-contact charge; sends are paced within Instagram's limits).
Strengths
- Unlimited DMs and automations on every plan, including Free, so a viral reel never raises your bill
- Verified follow gate: checks through Instagram's API whether the commenter really follows you before sending the link
- Comment-to-DM on any comment or chosen keywords, story reply automation and DM keyword flows in a visual flow builder
- Email capture, comment-to-product carousels and a link-in-bio page in the same tool
- Connects with Instagram Business Login on the official API, so no Facebook Page is needed
- AI reel analysis and analytics on paid plans
Limitations
- Facebook comment-to-DM and Messenger keyword replies are still being added
- Newer than ManyChat, so the template library and tutorial community are smaller
- The Free plan covers one Instagram account
- The Free plan adds a "via Tadlo" line to DMs and limits lead export to 100 leads
Frequently asked questions
Can I send Amazon affiliate links in Instagram DMs?
Yes. A comment keyword can trigger a DM with the link. Follow the affiliate programme's own rules on how links may be shared.
How do I send several affiliate products in one DM?
Use a product carousel. Tadlo AI sends 2 to 10 product cards in one DM.
Do I need to disclose affiliate links in DMs?
Disclose in the post as ASCI's guidelines require, and add a short line in the DM too.
Is it better to send one product or many?
Match the reel. One product for a single-product review; a carousel for routines, hauls and setups.
Can I change the link after posting the reel?
Yes. Update the DM in your tool and every new commenter gets the new link, without editing the reel.
Why are my affiliate links not getting clicks?
Usually the link is buried, the DM is too long, or the link is broken. Put it first and check it regularly.
Sources
- tadlo.ai: Tadlo AI plans and features. Plans, follow gate, A/B testing, carousels and analytics checked 16 October 2026.
- Instagram Messaging API (Meta),
developers.facebook.com/documentation/instagram-platform/instagram-api-with-instagram-login/messaging-api. Messaging window and requests folder; updated 28 September 2026. - Instagram private replies (Meta),
developers.facebook.com/documentation/instagram-platform/private-replies. Updated 30 June 2026. - ASCI influencer advertising guidelines,
ascionline.in/social/guidelines.