--- title: "Add Your First Source - Auto-Respond Docs" description: "Step-by-step guide to connect your first lead source and start receiving automated responses" source: https://auto-respond.com/docs/get-started/add-first-source/ --- ![Add Your First Source documentation guide](https://auto-respond.com/assets/docs/get-started-add-first-source.svg "Add Your First Source Documentation") A visual guide to the Add Your First Source documentation, covering the setup, configuration, and workflow details explained on this page. Documentation illustration for Add Your First Source. # Add Your First Source Connect your first source to start receiving automated responses. This takes under 2 minutes - you’ll link a platform account (Yelp, Thumbtack, Facebook / Instagram, or Google Local Ads) and Auto-Respond starts creating a job-specific response for every new inquiry in under 2 seconds. ℹ️ **Account Required**: This guide assumes you have an Auto-Respond account. [Create your free account first ↗](https://app.auto-respond.com/login) if needed. ## How source connections work Every source in Auto-Respond is connected through the platform’s own sign-in (OAuth): 1. You open **Add Source** from the Sources page. 2. You’re redirected to the platform and sign in with your existing account. 3. You grant Auto-Respond permission to access your inquiries and conversations. 4. You’re redirected back, and the platform profile appears on your Sources page. Your passwords are never shared with Auto-Respond - only a secure access token is returned after you approve. ## Connect your first source ### Open the Sources page After logging in, open **Sources** from the **Auto Responder** section of the sidebar. If you haven’t added a source yet you’ll be directed there automatically. ![Add Your First Source screen prompting the account holder to connect a lead source](https://auto-respond.com/assets/docs/add-first-source/add-first-source-yelp-auto-respond-connect-your-account.png "Add Your First Source: Connect Your Account") The Sources page prompts a new account holder to connect the first supported lead source before automated responses can begin. Product screenshot: open Sources to begin the first source connection. ### Click Add Source Click the **Add Source** button on the Sources page. A single dialog opens listing every platform you can connect. ### Pick the business (multi-business accounts only) If you have more than one business, pick which business the new source should belong to using the selector at the top of the dialog. Single-business accounts skip this step. ### Pick the platform The dialog shows one card per platform: - **Yelp** - **Thumbtack** - **Facebook / Instagram** - one Meta authorization can expose Facebook Messenger pages and linked Instagram accounts. Each source you activate is billed separately at its displayed source price. - **Google Local Ads** - **Voice Agent** - create an AI voice agent instead of connecting a platform. Each card has a **Connect** (or **Create** for Voice Agent) button that starts the flow for that platform. ℹ️ **Strategy**: Start with your busiest lead source first for immediate impact and testing. You can add more sources later. ### Authorize the connection Clicking **Connect** takes you to the platform: 1. You’re redirected to the platform’s website. 2. Sign in with your existing business account. 3. Grant Auto-Respond the message / lead access it asks for. 4. You’re redirected back automatically. ### Pick which profiles or locations to activate Some platforms (Yelp, Facebook, Instagram) have more than one profile attached to one login. You’ll see a list and can pick which ones to activate. Each one becomes its own source with its own settings and billing. ### Verify the connection A confirmation page appears and the new source shows up on the Sources page with a green **Active** status. ![Add Your First Source confirmation screen after a lead source is authorized](https://auto-respond.com/assets/docs/add-first-source/add-first-source-yelp-auto-respond-accepted-finished.png "Add Your First Source: Connection Accepted") The source authorization confirmation shows that the selected lead source was accepted and can return to the product. Product screenshot: the supported platform confirms the completed source authorization. ### Review connected sources The Sources page lists every connected source with a status badge, the platform icon and account name, and buttons for **Permissions** and **Messaging Settings**. ![Add Your First Source page showing the connected source and its active status](https://auto-respond.com/assets/docs/add-first-source/add-first-source-yelp-auto-respond-source-view.png "Add Your First Source: Connected Source View") The Sources page lists the newly connected lead source with its status, platform identity, permissions, and messaging settings controls. Product screenshot: verify that the first source appears as active in the Sources list. ## Per-platform setup Each platform has its own connection flow, its own data, and a few of its own quirks. Follow the page for the platform you’re connecting: ### [Yelp](https://auto-respond.com/docs/lead-sources/yelp/) [One source per Yelp location. Includes project details, attachments, and the customer's real phone number when they share it.](https://auto-respond.com/docs/lead-sources/yelp/) ### [Thumbtack](https://auto-respond.com/docs/lead-sources/thumbtack/) [One source per Thumbtack Pro account. Includes service category and attachments.](https://auto-respond.com/docs/lead-sources/thumbtack/) ### [Facebook Messenger](https://auto-respond.com/docs/lead-sources/facebook-messenger/) [Two-way Messenger conversations on your Facebook Pages. One source per Page.](https://auto-respond.com/docs/lead-sources/facebook-messenger/) ### [Facebook Lead Ads](https://auto-respond.com/docs/lead-sources/facebook-lead-ads/) [One-time lead form submissions - no chat. Integrations-only configuration.](https://auto-respond.com/docs/lead-sources/facebook-lead-ads/) ### [Instagram](https://auto-respond.com/docs/lead-sources/instagram/) [Instagram DMs on a Business or Creator account linked to a Facebook Page.](https://auto-respond.com/docs/lead-sources/instagram/) ### [Google Local Ads](https://auto-respond.com/docs/lead-sources/google-local-ads/) [Google Local Services Ads messages and leads. Phone number usually included.](https://auto-respond.com/docs/lead-sources/google-local-ads/) ## More Options - invite link for agencies If you’re a marketing agency or account manager connecting a platform on a customer’s behalf, the **Add Source** dialog has a **More Options** section at the bottom. Expand it to generate a copy-paste **Invite Link** for the chosen platform (Yelp, Thumbtack, Facebook, or Google Local Ads) that lets the customer complete the authorization themselves. ## What happens next Once a source is Active, new inquiries are picked up automatically. Auto-Respond creates the first response based on your Messaging Settings, follow-up sequences run on your schedule, integrations push the lead to your CRM, and your team gets notified. When your first lead arrives, you’ll see the platform it came from, the customer’s name and inquiry details, the full conversation thread, and options to message them directly. ## Testing your setup Have a friend send a test inquiry from the platform. Check that the response arrives quickly, reads well, and the lead shows up in your dashboard. If something isn’t working: - **Authorization problems** - try re-authenticating the connection from the [Source Tokens](https://auto-respond.com/docs/get-started/source-tokens/) page. - **Message delays** - check your business hours and timing settings. - **Missing leads** - make sure the source is set to **Active**. ## Next Steps 1. **[Configure conversation flow](https://auto-respond.com/docs/messaging-settings/conversation-setup/)** - Set up AI or predefined responses 2. **[Create follow-up sequences](https://auto-respond.com/docs/messaging-settings/follow-ups/)** - Automated nurturing messages 3. **[Add team notifications](https://auto-respond.com/docs/messaging-settings/integrations/)** - SMS, Slack, or Telegram alerts 4. **[Monitor performance](https://auto-respond.com/docs/analytics-reporting/)** - Track response rates and conversion *** Questions about source connection? Email or use in-app chat. Last updated: October 1, 2026