How to turn off comments on Instagram

When you turn off commenting, comments already on the post are hidden. Turn it back on and the old comments return, and people can comment again.

1. Tap Options above your post.
2. Select Turn off commenting. To undo it later, select Turn on commenting.
3. To do it before you share: on the screen where you add a caption or location, tap Advanced settings, then tap Turn off commenting.

Source: Instagram Help Centre: Turn comments on or off for Instagram posts, checked 15 October 2026

By default everyone can comment on your posts and stories. To narrow that down:

1. Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right, then tap Menu in the top right.
2. Below How others can interact with you, tap Comments.
3. Choose People you follow, Your followers, or People you follow and your followers.
4. Or turn off commenting on your posts, reels and stories for everyone.

• These options are for public accounts. A private account can allow comments from Your followers or Followers you follow back

Source: Instagram Help Centre: Hide comments or message requests you don't want to see on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026

For all your stories:

1. Tap Add, then tap Story.
2. Tap Settings in the top right, then tap Story.
3. Below Commenting, tap Allow comments.
4. Tap Off.

• One story, before sharing: while editing, tap Options in the top right, then Turn off commenting
• One story, after sharing: tap your profile picture to view it, tap Options in the bottom right, then Turn off commenting
• A live video: tap Options at the bottom, then Turn off commenting. Keyword filters you've turned on also apply to live comments

Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Change audience settings or turn off comments on Instagram stories, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Start a live video on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026

Most businesses want comments, just not abuse or spam. Instagram's Hide unwanted comments setting is on by default and hides comments with common offensive words, phrases or emojis. To adjust it:

1. Go to your profile and tap Menu in the top right.
2. Below How others can interact with you, tap Comments.
3. Below Types of comments, tap Hide unwanted comments.
4. Choose None, Some or More.

• Hidden words: from the Menu, tap Hidden words below How others can interact with you, then add words, phrases, numbers or emojis separated by commas
• Hide one comment: tap Hide under a comment on your own post. Only you and the commenter can see it, and they aren't told
• Unhide: tap View hidden comments at the bottom of the comments, then Unhide

Source: Instagram Help Centre: Hide comments or message requests you don't want to see on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026

You can delete up to 25 comments at a time. To restrict an account instead, tap and hold one of its comments and tap Restrict. Tapping Comment controls before you select anything takes you to the settings for turning comments off and filtering them.

1. Tap Comments below your post.
2. Tap Options in the top right, then tap Select multiple comments.
3. Select the comments you want to manage.
4. At the bottom, choose Hide comments, Delete comments or Block accounts.

Source: Instagram Help Centre: Manage multiple comments on your Instagram posts, checked 15 October 2026

• Hidden comments still count towards your total comment count, so the number can be higher than what people see
• Other people can still read hidden comments by tapping View hidden comments
• Turning commenting back on restores the comments that were there before
• Switching off Hide unwanted comments or Hidden words brings back the comments they hid
• Teen Accounts have these filters switched on automatically

Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Hide comments or message requests you don't want to see on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Turn comments on or off for Instagram posts, checked 15 October 2026

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