insta-chat

The simplest Instagram chat automation tool made with Google Sheets, for my wife.

60 lines of Javascript for the frontend (Code.gs, index.html)
60 lines of Python for the backend (bot.py)
Made with <3

Background

My wife is a Youtuber/Influencer.

One day, I saw her about to subscribe to an Instagram chat automation tool for $15/month.

She needed to automatically reply to comments containing specific keywords, with a predefined message.

"Baby, I can make this for you in 2 weeks", said I. Turns out, I only needed 3 days.

The Tech

I'm convinced now almost all web apps can be an Excel file.

With Apps Scripts, you can build full-on websites in your Google Sheets.

I embedded custom HTML with the FB Login JS Button. My wife uses it to log in and I populate the sidebar with her Instagram posts.

Then, my wife creates the automations entries, and my bot.py script (running in the cloud) periodically reads the Google Sheets and sends the desired message to her followers.

The Aftermath

My wife cancelled her subscription. We are now saving $15/month. She loves me more now :)

I also want something like this.

The backend only works with my wife's Google Sheet. Email me if you're interested in having something similar. If there's enough interest, I will build something that everyone can use.