If your automation messages appear correctly inside Zorcha but are received as blank messages by users on Instagram, this issue is caused by a limitation on Meta’s end.
This article explains what is happening, why it occurs, and what changes you should make to prevent users from receiving empty messages.
What’s Happening
In some cases, Instagram automation messages behave differently between what you see in Zorcha and what the end user receives.
From your perspective inside Zorcha:
The automation triggers successfully
The message shows as delivered
Text, links, or resources are visible in the message preview
No clear failure is shown
From the user’s perspective:
The message appears completely blank
No text, link, or content is visible
The DM looks empty
This creates a situation where everything appears to be working correctly in your automation, but the end user does not receive any usable information.
Banner You May See
When this issue is detected, Zorcha shows the following warning:
“We detected blank messages being sent from Meta on this automation, suggesting you remove the buttons in your Automation and use plain text instead.”
This is an informational alert to make you aware of a potential delivery issue.
Root Cause
This issue originates from Meta’s messaging infrastructure and is not caused by Zorcha.
A common trigger for this behavior is the use of buttons or link-based message formats in automations, such as:
URL buttons
Quick reply buttons
Any message where links are attached via buttons instead of plain text
Meta may accept and process the message request, which is why it appears as “sent” in Zorcha. However, during final delivery, the content may fail to render in the user’s inbox.
As a result:
The message is marked as delivered
The content is not displayed
The user receives a blank message
Important Limitation
Zorcha cannot identify which specific automation is causing blank messages.
The system can detect that blank messages are being sent, but:
It cannot pinpoint the exact automation
It cannot identify the exact message step causing the issue
This limitation exists because the issue occurs after the message is processed by Meta.
The Error Behind the Scenes
In some cases, logs may show an error like:
{
"code": 2,
"type": "OAuthException",
"message": "Service temporarily unavailable",
"error_subcode": 1545133,
"error_user_title": "Your message cannot be delivered",
"error_user_msg": "Cannot send media to this user without following them."
}
What this indicates:
The message format is not supported in that context
Meta fails to render the message content
The message may still appear as delivered, but shows as blank
Why This Happens
This behavior is due to how Meta handles certain message formats in automated Instagram DMs.
Specifically:
Messages that include buttons or structured link elements may not be supported in all automation contexts
Meta may drop or fail to render these elements during delivery
The result is a blank message instead of a visible failure
This is a platform-level limitation and has been observed across multiple automation tools.
What You Should Do
To prevent users from receiving blank messages, you should modify how your messages are structured.
1. Do Not Use Buttons in Automation Messages
Avoid using:
Link buttons
Quick reply buttons
Any interactive button-based message format
These are the most common causes of blank message delivery.
2. Use Plain Text Messages Instead
Always send messages as plain text.
If you want users to take an action:
Write it directly in the message
Use simple instructions
Example:
“Reply YES to continue.”
“Reply 1 for pricing, 2 for details.”
3. Add Links Directly in Text (Not as Buttons)
If you need to share a link:
Paste the full URL directly into the message text
Do not attach it as a button
Example:
Instead of:
Button → “View Offer.”
Use:
“Here’s the link: https://example.com”
Instagram will automatically make the link clickable.
Is There a Fix?
There is no direct fix available within Zorcha.
This issue can only be resolved when Meta updates or stabilizes how message formats are handled in their API. Until then, adjusting your message format is the only reliable workaround.
Summary
Messages may appear delivered but show as blank to users
This issue is caused by Meta’s messaging system
Buttons and link-based message formats are a common trigger
Zorcha cannot identify which automation is affected
The recommended solution is to:
Remove buttons
Use plain text messages
Add links directly in text
Need Help?
If you need help reviewing your automations or updating message formats, contact Zorcha support.
Our team can guide you on best practices to ensure your messages are delivered correctly while this limitation persists.
📧 Email: [email protected] 💬 Live chat: Available directly on your Zorcha dashboard
The team responds quickly and will walk you through any edge cases or account-specific issues. You don't need to worry about struggling through it alone.
Thanks for being a part of Zorcha 💜
Team Zorcha.