The Ultimate Guide on How To Slide Into Instagram DMs

The world of online dating is shifting in 2026, and it can be hard for you to have the best first move on a dating app. To ensure your overall online presence is as appealing as your initial message, and to understand why you might not be getting the matches you deserve, you might want to optimize your dating profile.

Instagram is now a primary tool for your search. To get a reply, master sliding into dms and use a message to be successful.

This is the ultimate guide on how to slide into instagram dms and land a date with a dm.

Ask them about one of their latest posts

Try asking your crush about a recent post they made on their Instagram profile. If they traveled somewhere, ask them how their trip was. If they went out for a birthday event, ask them about it. This is an easy way you can start a casual conversation, while also letting them know that you’re genuinely interested in getting to know them better.

Use an open-ended question that will get the conversation rolling rather than asking a yes or no question that might lead to a dead end.

If you’re trying this approach, here are a few examples you can use when sliding into a girl's dms:

• I saw you just went to \[insert name of place here\], and I’m thinking of going soon! Any recommendations?
• I’ve always wanted to try \[insert name of restaurant here\]. What was your favorite dish?
• I see you've posted new hiking pictures. Do you have a favorite hiking spot?

If you’re new to the city, ask them for tips

If you’ve recently moved and are new to the city, it can be the perfect opportunity to ask your crush for tips. This is an easy approach where you can ask about the best coffee shops, restaurants, and malls in town. It can also be a great segway into coming up with a potential date idea in real life for the two like asking them if they want to grab coffee.

You can ask your crush to be your tour guide and help you out in finding the best local gems in town. Here’s how you can ask your crush for tips:

• I’ve just moved to \[insert city name here\] and have been searching for the best coffee shops in town. Any recommendations?
• You always seem to be at the best restaurants in town! What’s your favorite spot?

Respond to one of their stories

This is one of the easiest ways to slide into someone’s dms and start a conversation. If they’ve posted a story recently, reply to their story to engage them in a conversation. Your reply will end up in their DMs. Whether they post a song or a photo at a spot in town – comment on it and ask them a question or two about it so they can answer questions and get chatting with you.

The next time you slide into dms, use these examples to spark up an interesting conversation over Instagram stories:

• I love this song too! What else are you listening to right now? Want to swap playlists?
• This place looks amazing! Where is it? You always find the best places in town, any tips?

DM them a funny video or post

Sharing a funny video or post is a great way for you to get a reply when sliding into dms. It shows your humor to the woman you like and helps you have a conversation.

Never send unsolicited photos with your message; Instagram blurs images in the dm, and it will be deleted immediately because of this.

Send them a post that reminded you of them

Sending your crush a post that reminded you of them is a brilliant move. It shows them that you’re thinking about them throughout the day, which will definitely make them blush.

It's also the perfect excuse to show your interest without being super forward. Everyone loves to be thought of, and if things go well your message will get some laughs and open the door to an engaging conversation.

Here are some examples you can use:

• This reminds me of you so much!
• I know you really love \[thing, place, etc.\], so I thought you should know about this.
• I just saw this and it made me think of you.

Bring up a mutual friend from Instagram

If you have any mutual friends between you and your crush, you can use this as a simple conversation starter and icebreaker. Think of people who you went to the same school with or worked with in the past. You can drop the name of your friends, or ask whether they’ve seen them recently, or even how they know them.

By knowing you have the same social circles, your crush may feel more comfortable starting a conversation with you if they feel you’re familiar and know a few of the same people.

You can even ask your mutual friend about your crush before starting the conversation. Here are some great examples to try when you slide into dms:

• \[Friend name\] told me you \[something funny/memory\] and I really want to set the record straight! Is this true?!
• I see you know \[friend name\] too! Have you seen them recently? \[Insert how you’ve interacted with said friend recently\].

Compliment them

Everyone loves getting a compliment or two, and it’s always tough resisting a flattering conversation. Be witty and playful with your compliment, rather than saying “you’re hot” or “you’re drop-dead gorgeous” like other guys.

Instead of complimenting their profile picture, comment on her pics recently to show you have good energy and aren't interested in just double tapping her photos. People want to be complimented on more than just their appearance when you slide into dms, and chances are – they’ve definitely had a smiliar dm slide before.

Be confident and flirty, but don’t be overly flirtatious since this is your first message to them. If you’re not getting the replies you expect, it might be time for a profile review to find out why and make sure your entire presence is optimized.

Here are some compliments you can try out when you slide into dms on Instagram:

• I just wanted to say I am obsessed with your new hair – it looks great!
• You look amazing in all of your photos, tell me your secret.
• You always find the coolest places to check out in town! What’s your secret?

Be confident and forward

When you decide to slide into someone's dms, confidence is the key to making it work. If a person is engaging with your Instagram profile, use that momentum to get a conversation started. For the best chance of a reply, timing is everything; sending your message around 11 am often finds people in a positive mood during their morning break.

Try these forward examples:

• I noticed the double taps lately. Care to share your thoughts?
• Is this how we start the dm slide for someone who watches every story? Asking for a friend.

Always follow a "No-Reply" protocol and be realistic. If they don't respond, you have to move on. There is no need for another message if interest isn't mutual.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I slide in a DM on Instagram?

You slide in a DM on Instagram by first ensuring your profile looks polished and then reaching out with a specific, engaging message. It is best to start by following the user and reacting to their story with a thoughtful comment or an open-ended question. By keeping the message short and focusing on a sincere, non-physical compliment, you increase the likelihood that they will want to get back to you and start a real conversation.

How do I get into Instagram DMs?

You get into Instagram DMs by opening the official app and tapping the messenger icon located at the top right of the home feed. This area of the interface is where you view all your private conversations and search for the names of people you want to contact. In 2026, this remains the central hub to manage your incoming requests and see if you have received a new reply from a friend or a potential new connection.

How to slide into DMs without being weird?

You slide into DMs without being weird by interacting with the public content of the person for a few days before you send a private message. Replying to a story is an excellent strategy because it provides a natural bridge for a conversation to begin without it feeling forced or out of nowhere. Mentioning mutual friends or asking for a recommendation related to their recent posts is another great way to ensure the message is perceived as friendly and respectful.

How do I DM someone on Instagram for the first time?

You DM someone on Instagram for the first time by visiting their profile and selecting the message button to open a direct chat window. Simply type your introduction and press the send button to have this message delivered to their inbox as a request. To get a better response rate for your initial outreach, it helps to have a high-quality profile picture and bio so the recipient knows exactly who is trying to get in touch with them.

Conclusion

Mastering how to slide into instagram dms in 2026 is all about finding the right balance between confidence and respect. Throughout this guide, you have learned that the secret to getting a reply is to be genuine and lead with actual value. Whether it is responding to a recent story or mentioning a shared interest, your primary goal is to spark a natural conversation. Remember that a dm is just the start of a potential connection, and it is vital to be mindful of the tone you set.

The final verdict for success in the dms is simple: treat others like people, not just profiles. Focus on the quality of your message and ensure your own page looks great before you hit send. This gives them a reason to want to engage with you in return. To really stand out and find out why you're not getting matches, get a professional profile review that helps you identify areas for improvement and transform your online presence. Now that you have the strategies for a perfect reach-out, it is time to get out there and start building new relationships for the future.