If Ellipsend lets you send a message, you're safe. If it blocks you, the 7-day window is closed, or it never opened. The rest of this article is the why and the how.
The 7-Day Window
Meta gives you 7 days to reply to a contact after their last message to your page. Inside that window, message freely. Outside it, Ellipsend can't send your message.
If you need to message a contact outside the 7-day window, you can do it from Meta Business Suite. Do this sparingly to avoid possible restrictions on your account.
The clock starts (or restarts) any time the contact sends you something: a DM or a reaction. If 7 days pass with no message from them, the window closes.
The inbox shows this directly: green dot = messageable, red dot = expired. The text box for an unavailable contact reads "This contact isn't available to be messaged right now."
To filter by window, use Availability in the inbox filters. 24 Hour shows contacts who messaged you in the last 24 hours. 7 Day shows everyone you can message in Ellipsend right now, because they're still inside the 7-day window. Expired shows contacts whose window has closed.
For filter setup, see Inbox & Messaging.
Why You See Contacts You Can't Message
Your inbox shows everyone who has interacted with you, including people whose window never opened. So a contact showing "This contact isn't available to be messaged right now" isn't a bug. It's one of three situations:
They commented on your post but never messaged you. A comment alone doesn't open the window. You'll see their comment in the thread, but until they send you something, there's nothing Meta lets you reply to from the inbox. You can still send them one private reply from the Comments dashboard: open Comments in the left menu and click Reply privately on their comment within 7 days of it. Once they answer, the window opens.
An automation reached out, but they haven't responded yet. Your private reply or Opening DM went out. Until they reply, the window stays shut, for you and for Ellipsend.
The last time they sent you a message was more than 7 days ago. The window was open, and it closed. Their conversation history is still there, but new messages have to wait until they message you again.
In every case, trust the inbox. If the message composer is locked, Meta is the one blocking the message, not Ellipsend.
How to Get the Window Open
When someone comments on your post, you can send one private reply to their DMs, either automatically with an Ellipsend Automation or by hand with Reply privately in the Comments dashboard. It's not actually a standard DM, even though it looks like one. And you only get one per comment. Use an Opening DM in your automation to prompt them to respond. Once they reply, the 7-day window opens and they can receive further messages from you, automatically via the Automation or manually via the Inbox.
Skip the Opening DM when you just want to send one thing (e.g., a link at the end of a chat).
Why Outbounds Aren't Possible
Meta's official messaging API has no "start a new conversation" endpoint. Conversations only begin when the contact DMs you or comments on your post.
If you do send outbounds via the Instagram app, you'll be able to message them in Ellipsend once they reply. See the Zero DM Restriction Playbook linked below for best practices to keep your account safe.
How Ellipsend Keeps Your Account Safe
Using Ellipsend is the protection. As an official Meta tech provider, your messaging routes through officially approved channels and removes the need to have people log directly into your Instagram account.
The 7-day window is only one of Meta's rules. For the full set of habits that have kept our customers at zero DM restrictions across two years, grab The Zero DM Restriction Playbook.