Quick Start
This guide covers every ManyChat feature:
- Getting Started — Connect your Facebook page and send your first message
- How to Use Multi-Channel Messaging — Talk to your subscriber base on Messenger, Instagram, SMS and email from one inbox.
- How to Use Interactive Chatbots — Build conversations with buttons and quick replies that run without a human.
- How to Use Live Chat Takeover — Pause the bot mid-chat and answer a real customer yourself.
- How to Use Powerful Integrations — Push subscriber data into Zapier, Shopify, HubSpot and Google Sheets.
- How to Use Templates and Flows — Start from a proven layout instead of an empty canvas.
- How to Use SMS Marketing — Text subscribers directly when a Messenger message would go unread.
- How to Use Popular Agency Partners — Hire a vetted specialist to build the whole bot for you.
- How to Use AI Assistant — Draft replies and whole flow steps from a short prompt.
- How to Use Affiliate Program — Earn recurring commission when people you refer upgrade.
Time needed: 5 minutes per feature
Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives
Why Trust This Guide
I have run ManyChat on my own business Facebook page for two years, across a free account and a Pro account. Every screen below is one I have clicked through myself.
ManyChat is the best known chat marketing tool for small teams.
Most people connect a page, send one welcome message, then stop.
This guide shows you how to use ManyChat properly, feature by feature.
ManyChat Tutorial
This How to Use ManyChat tutorial walks through setup, then every feature, then the traps that waste your first week.
ManyChat
Turn Facebook comments, Instagram DMs and SMS into booked customers. ManyChat automates the first reply so no lead waits. Get started free with up to 1,000 contacts, no card needed.
Getting Started with ManyChat
Before any feature works, you need to setup ManyChat once.
It takes about three minutes.
Here is my walkthrough of the account first:
Now let us go step by step.
Step 1: Create Your ManyChat Account
Go to the ManyChat site and click Get Started Free.
Sign in with Facebook so ManyChat access is granted in one move.
✓ Checkpoint: The permission screen lists your pages.
Step 2: Connect Your Facebook Page to ManyChat
You need administrator rights on the business Facebook page you pick.
Choose the page, then select Connect to finish linking your Facebook page to ManyChat.
Here is what the account looks like once it is live:
✓ Checkpoint: Your page name shows in the top left corner.
Step 3: Write Your Welcome Message and Default Reply
Open the Settings area and edit your greeting text, the line people see before they opt in.
Write the first message your messenger bot sends after someone taps the Get Started button.
Your ManyChat bot can now send automated messages the moment a new person replies.
Then add an automatic reply for anything the bot cannot answer.
✅ Done: Your Facebook Messenger bot is live and ready for every feature below.
How to Use ManyChat Multi-Channel Messages
Multi-Channel Messaging lets you reach the same contact list on Facebook Messenger, Instagram, SMS and email from one place.
ManyChat supports omnichannel marketing, so one contact can get a Messenger reply today and an SMS tomorrow.
Step 1: Open Settings
Click Settings in the left sidebar of your ManyChat dashboard.
Open the Channels tab to see every channel ManyChat offers.
Step 2: Connect Each Channel
Pick a channel and select Connect.
Facebook and Instagram need admin rights on the business Facebook page.
Here is what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: Each connected channel shows a green status dot.
Step 3: Set Your Fallback Order
Choose which channel a message starts on when a contact is unreachable.
Email and SMS work well as backups for an unread Messenger message.
✅ Result: Your automated messages now follow customers across channels instead of one app.
💡 Pro Tip: Collect phone numbers inside your welcome message so SMS is ready before you need it.
How to Use ManyChat Interactive Chatbots
Interactive Chatbots lets you build conversations with buttons and quick replies that answer common questions without you.
ManyChat lets you create interactive chatbots with no coding experience, using the visual flow builder. ManyChat sequences can then drip follow-ups over the next few days, much like an email autoresponder.
Step 1: Start a New Flow
Open Automation and click New Flow.
Name it something clear, like Product Questions.
Step 2: Add Buttons and Quick Replies
Drag a message block onto the flow builder canvas.
Add up to three buttons per card to guide the user forward.
Here is what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: The preview opens a real conversation in Messenger.
Step 3: Preview and Publish
Send a test to your own Facebook Messenger before going live.
Publish once every path ends somewhere sensible.
✅ Result: A working messenger bot that handles repeat questions on its own.
💡 Pro Tip: Never leave a dead end. Every branch should offer a next step or hand off to a human.
How to Use ManyChat Live Chat
Live Chat Takeover lets you pause the bot mid-conversation and answer a customer yourself.
Automation handles volume, but some questions need a person. Live chat takeover covers that gap.
Step 1: Open Live Chat
Click Contacts, then open any active conversation.
You will see the full message history for that user.
Step 2: Pause Automation
Hit the pause toggle to stop the whole bot for that contact.
Adjust how long the pause lasts inside your live chat settings.
Here is what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: The conversation header shows automation paused.
Step 3: Reply and Resume
Type your answer and send it.
Resume automation when the issue is closed.
✅ Result: You rescued a lead the bot could not help.
💡 Pro Tip: Assign a tag during takeover so you can review these chats later and improve the flow.
How to Use ManyChat Powerful Integrations
Powerful Integrations lets you push subscriber data into other tools like Zapier, Shopify, HubSpot and Google Sheets.
Zapier and the wider integration list sit on the Pro plan and cover complex workflows.
Step 1: Open the Integrations Tab
Go to Settings, then Integrations.
Browse what ManyChat connects to natively.
Step 2: Authorise the Connection
Select Connect and sign in to the tool you want.
Map ManyChat custom fields to the fields on the other side.
Here is what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: A test contact appears in the connected app within seconds.
Step 3: Trigger It From a Flow
Add an action step inside an existing flow.
Choose the integration and pick the data to send.
✅ Result: Every lead your bot captures lands in your CRM automatically.
💡 Pro Tip: Send a test contact first. Bad field mapping is far harder to clean up later.
How to Use ManyChat Templates and Flows
Templates and Flows lets you start from a proven layout instead of a blank flow builder canvas.
Templates are the fastest route to a working bot, and most ManyChat tutorials start here.
Step 1: Browse the Template Library
Open Automation and click Templates.
Filter by goal, such as lead generation or bookings.
Step 2: Install and Rename
Click Install to drop the template into your account.
Rename each step so the flow builder stays readable.
Here is what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: No placeholder text is left in any message.
Step 3: Swap in Your Own Copy
Replace the placeholder text with your own wording.
Update every link to point at your own website.
✅ Result: A finished flow in minutes rather than an afternoon.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep one clean template as a master copy, then duplicate it for each campaign.
How to Use ManyChat SMS Marketer
SMS Marketing lets you text your subscribers directly when a Messenger message would go unread.
SMS gets read fast, which is why it pairs so well with slower channels.
Step 1: Enable the SMS Channel
Open Settings, then SMS, and complete the carrier registration.
Approval usually takes a day or two.
Step 2: Collect Consent
Add a phone number field to any opt in step.
Say clearly what people are signing up for.
Here is what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: Your test phone receives the message.
Step 3: Send Your First Text
Build a short broadcast under 160 characters.
Include one link and one clear action.
✅ Result: A direct channel that does not depend on Facebook at all.
💡 Pro Tip: Cap SMS at two sends per month. Text fatigue kills a list faster than anything else.
How to Use ManyChat Popular Agency Partners
Popular Agency Partners lets you hire a vetted specialist to build the whole bot for you.
If your team has no time to learn the tool, ManyChat keeps a directory of certified agencies.
Step 1: Open the Partner Directory
Visit the agency directory from the ManyChat site.
Filter by industry and by budget.
Step 2: Compare Case Studies
Read the results each agency published.
Look for proof on conversion rates, not vanity metrics.
Here is what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: You have at least three quotes to compare.
Step 3: Send a Scoped Brief
List your channels, goals and deadline in one message.
Ask who owns the account after handover.
✅ Result: A build partner who already knows the platform.
💡 Pro Tip: Ask for access to a live bot they built. A demo video hides a lot.
How to Use ManyChat AI Assistant
AI Assistant lets you draft replies and whole flow steps from a short prompt.
The assistant writes responses based on the intent you describe, which speeds up first drafts.
Step 1: Open the AI Step
Inside any flow, add an AI block.
Describe the job in plain language.
Step 2: Give It Context
Paste your product details and tone rules.
Tell it what the bot must never promise.
Here is what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: The draft reads like your brand, not a template.
Step 3: Edit Before Publishing
Read every generated line out loud.
Cut anything that sounds like a press release.
✅ Result: Usable copy in a minute instead of an hour.
💡 Pro Tip: Feed it your five most common support questions. That single prompt fills half a bot.
How to Use ManyChat Affiliate Program
Affiliate Program lets you earn recurring commission when people you refer upgrade to a paid plan.
Agencies and creators who teach automation can turn that audience into a second income line.
Step 1: Apply to the Program
Submit the affiliate application from the ManyChat footer.
Approval is manual and takes a few days.
Step 2: Grab Your Links
Copy your tracking link from the partner portal.
Use a different link per post so you can see what works.
Here is what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: Your first click registers in the portal.
Step 3: Track Payouts
Check the dashboard for pending and approved commission.
Payouts run monthly once you clear the minimum.
✅ Result: A tracked revenue stream on top of your client work.
💡 Pro Tip: Pair each link with a real tutorial. Teaching converts far better than a bare recommendation.
ManyChat Pro Tips and Shortcuts
After two years inside this tool, these are the habits that saved me the most time.
Check the analytics dashboard every Monday to judge your chatbot’s effectiveness before you change anything.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Duplicate a selected block | Ctrl + D |
| Undo a change in the flow builder | Ctrl + Z |
| Zoom the canvas to fit | Shift + 1 |
| Search contacts | Ctrl + K |
Hidden Features Most People Miss
- Messenger ref URL: Every flow can generate a link that drops a user straight into it from your own website or an ad.
- Custom user fields: Create custom fields for things like plan tier or city, then branch your flow on them.
- Comment triggers: Reply to Facebook comments on your Facebook posts with a DM, which was a real game changer for my page and is still the cheapest lead generation trick around.
- ManyChat growth tools: Drop a messenger button or overlay widget on your site to collect leads while you sleep.
- ManyChat branding removal: Paid plans drop the branding line from your bot.
Here are the benefits I lean on most:
ManyChat Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Treating the bot like a broadcast channel
❌ Wrong: Blasting your whole contact list every week and watching people mute you.
✅ Right: Segment on user activity, then send only to people who clicked something recently.
Mistake #2: No default reply
❌ Wrong: Leaving unmatched questions in silence, which makes the bot look broken.
✅ Right: Set a default reply that offers a menu and a route to a human.
Mistake #3: Building one giant flow
❌ Wrong: Cramming welcome, sales and support into a single sprawling flow nobody can edit.
✅ Right: Split it into small flows and link them. Editing an existing flow then takes seconds.
ManyChat Troubleshooting
Problem: The page will not connect
Cause: You are not an admin, or ManyChat lost a permission during login.
Fix: Check your role in Facebook Business settings, then reconnect and tick every permission box.
Problem: Messages stop sending after a day
Cause: Meta’s 24 hour window closed for that subscriber.
Fix: Use an approved message tag, or re-engage with a paid Marketing Messages send.
Problem: A flow triggers twice
Cause: Two triggers, often a keyword and a comment rule, point at the same flow.
Fix: Open the trigger list and delete the duplicate. Test with a fresh contact afterwards.
Problem: Contacts are missing custom field data
Cause: The field was created after those users subscribed.
Fix: Run a short survey flow to backfill the field for your existing subscriber base.
📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, contact ManyChat support from the help menu.
What is ManyChat?
ManyChat is chatbot technology that helps a business automate conversations with customers.
Think of it as an autoresponder that lives in chat apps instead of an inbox.
Watch this quick overview:
It includes these key features:
- Multi-Channel Messaging: Talk to your subscriber base on Messenger, Instagram, SMS and email from one inbox.
- Interactive Chatbots: Build conversations with buttons and quick replies that run without a human.
- Live Chat Takeover: Pause the bot mid-chat and answer a real customer yourself.
- Powerful Integrations: Push subscriber data into Zapier, Shopify, HubSpot and Google Sheets.
- Templates and Flows: Start from a proven layout instead of an empty canvas.
- SMS Marketing: Text subscribers directly when a Messenger message would go unread.
- Popular Agency Partners: Hire a vetted specialist to build the whole bot for you.
- AI Assistant: Draft replies and whole flow steps from a short prompt.
- Affiliate Program: Earn recurring commission when people you refer upgrade.
ManyChat delivers all of this without a single line of code, which is why so many small teams pick it over a developer build.
For a full review, see our ManyChat review.
ManyChat Pricing
Here is what ManyChat costs in 2026:
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | Testing the platform with a small contact list |
| Pro | $15/month | Businesses running real campaigns and integrations |
| Elite | Custom Pricing | High-volume brands and agencies needing support |
Free trial: Yes. The free plan runs forever and covers up to 1,000 contacts.
Money-back guarantee: No formal refund window. You can cancel at any time and keep access until the period ends.
Pro pricing scales with how many active subscribers you keep, so a growing list raises the bill.
💰 Best Value: Pro — tags, integrations and custom fields are all locked behind it, and those three unlock most of the platform.
ManyChat vs Alternatives
How does ManyChat compare to the rest of the market?
Watch this comparison:
| Tool | Best For | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| ManyChat | Messenger and Instagram automation | $15/mo | ⭐ 4.4 |
| Chatfuel | AI agents for ecommerce | $23.99/mo | ⭐ 4.3 |
| MobileMonkey | Sales outreach and prospecting | $99/mo | ⭐ 4.0 |
| Botsify | Multilingual support bots | $49/mo | ⭐ 4.1 |
| Tars | Conversational landing pages | $99/mo | ⭐ 4.4 |
| Flow XO | Developer-led custom bots | $19/mo | ⭐ 4.1 |
Quick picks:
- Best overall: ManyChat — widest channel list and the friendliest builder.
- Best budget: Flow XO — cheapest entry point for a multi-platform bot.
- Best for beginners: ManyChat — templates and growth tools do the heavy lifting.
- Best for web capture: Tars — built around on-site conversational forms.
🎯 ManyChat Alternatives
Looking for ManyChat alternatives? Here are the options worth a trial:
- 🚀 Chatfuel: Strong AI agents for ecommerce stores, with solid Instagram support and a clean setup flow.
- 💼 MobileMonkey: Now aimed at outbound sales teams, pairing chat with prospect data and email outreach.
- 🧠 Botsify: Handles multiple languages well and adds human handover for support-heavy teams.
- 🎨 Tars: Turns landing pages into conversations, which lifts form conversion rates on paid traffic.
- 🔧 Flow XO: Developer friendly, with logic and webhooks that go deeper than most no-code builders.
For the full list, see our ManyChat alternatives guide.
⚔️ ManyChat Compared
Here is how ManyChat stacks up head to head:
- ManyChat vs Chatfuel: Chatfuel leans harder into AI agents. ManyChat wins on channel breadth and template depth.
- ManyChat vs MobileMonkey: MobileMonkey suits outbound sales teams. ManyChat is cheaper and better for inbound chat.
- ManyChat vs Botsify: Botsify handles multilingual support better. ManyChat handles marketing and growth tools better.
- ManyChat vs Tars: Tars owns on-site conversational forms. ManyChat owns social messaging and follow-up.
- ManyChat vs Flow XO: Flow XO offers deeper logic for developers. ManyChat is faster for a marketer to ship.
Start Using ManyChat Now
You now know how to use ManyChat across every major feature:
- ✅ Multi-Channel Messaging
- ✅ Interactive Chatbots
- ✅ Live Chat Takeover
- ✅ Powerful Integrations
- ✅ Templates and Flows
- ✅ SMS Marketing
- ✅ Popular Agency Partners
- ✅ AI Assistant
- ✅ Affiliate Program
Next step: pick one feature and build it today.
Most people start with Interactive Chatbots and add channels later.
Done well, a bot that answers in seconds lifts replies and brings more sales from traffic you already pay for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ManyChat and how does it work?
ManyChat is chat automation software. You connect a Facebook page, Instagram or SMS, then build flows that reply to users automatically based on keywords, comments or button clicks.
How to set up ManyChat step by step?
Sign up free with Facebook, grant ManyChat access, select Connect on your business Facebook page, write a welcome message, set a default reply, then build your first flow.
Is ManyChat hard to learn?
No. The visual flow builder uses drag-and-drop blocks, so most people ship a working bot within an hour. Advanced tagging and integrations take a little longer.
What is the 24 hour rule for ManyChat?
Meta only allows standard promotional messages within 24 hours of a user’s last interaction. After that window you need approved message tags or paid Marketing Messages.
How do I set up chatbot on ManyChat?
Open Automation, click New Flow, add a message block, attach buttons or quick replies, connect a trigger such as a keyword or comment, then test and publish.
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