Build a Chatbot for Social Media with Zernio for Chat SDK

Use cases

Unified Social Media Chatbot API

Three Steps to a Multi-Platform Chatbot

1. 1.
   Get your Zernio API key

   Create an API key in Zernio and add it to your app as ZERNIO_API_KEY.
2. 2.
   Connect the social accounts you want to handle

   Authorize the Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, X, Bluesky, or Reddit accounts you want your chatbot to manage.
3. 3.
   Add the Chat SDK adapter and webhook

   Install @zernio/chat-sdk-adapter, add it to your Chat SDK app, and point a Zernio webhook to your app for message.received and comment.received.

Code examples

npm install @zernio/chat-sdk-adapter

import { zernioAdapter } from '@zernio/chat-sdk-adapter';

const adapter = zernioAdapter({
  apiKey: process.env.ZERNIO_API_KEY!,
});

export const zernio = adapter;

// app/api/zernio/webhook/route.ts
import { zernio } from '@/lib/zernio';

export async function POST(req: Request) {
  const body = await req.json();

  await zernio.handleWebhook(body, {
    onNewMessage: async ({ message, reply }) => {
      const answer = 'Thanks, we got your message.';
      await reply({ text: answer });
    },
    onNewComment: async ({ replyPrivately }) => {
      await replyPrivately({
        text: 'Thanks for the comment. We just sent you a DM.',
      });
    },
  });

  return Response.json({ ok: true });
}

See it in action

See how a multi-platform AI bot handles incoming DMs from Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram through a single Chat SDK handler.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Zernio the best chatbot for social media?

└Zernio is the only Chat SDK adapter that connects you to seven social platforms: Instagram, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, X, Bluesky, and Reddit through a single API key. Unlike building directly on each platform's API, with Zernio, you don't need to apply for or maintain any platform approvals. One adapter, one webhook, every major social inbox.

What do I need to set up first?

└A Zernio account, an API key, connected social accounts, a webhook endpoint, and the inbox addon enabled. We walk through it step-by-step in the docs.

How much does this cost?

└The Chat SDK adapter itself is free and open source. You need a Zernio account with the Inbox add-on, which starts at $10/month. See pricing.

How do I build a chatbot for Instagram DMs?

└Use Vercel's Chat SDK with the Zernio adapter. Your users connect their Instagram account through Zernio's dashboard, you write one onNewMessage handler, and the adapter delivers incoming DMs and sends your replies. No Meta developer program required. The same handler works for Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, X, Bluesky, and Reddit.

Can I build a WhatsApp chatbot without WhatsApp Business API approval?

└Yes. With the Zernio Chat SDK adapter, your users authorize their WhatsApp Business account through Zernio's dashboard, so Zernio handles the platform approval. You install the adapter, point a webhook at your endpoint, and start sending and receiving WhatsApp messages the same day. Rich features like buttons, templates, and reactions are supported out of the box.

Can I use this to build a multi-platform AI agent?

└Yes. You can connect your preferred model and use Chat SDK plus Zernio to build AI support agents, assistants, and automated messaging workflows across all supported channels.

How is Zernio different from Twilio for building social chatbots?

└Twilio focuses mainly on SMS, voice, and WhatsApp through its Conversations API, and requires you to manage approvals and integrations separately for each channel. Zernio is built for social media chatbots and connects Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, X, Bluesky, and Reddit through one unified API and one webhook. Zernio is also the official adapter for Vercel's Chat SDK, giving you a complete bot framework on top of the social integrations.