How To Hide Comments on Instagram Live

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Karen Lin

Instagram 101 | Feb 08, 2024

Want More Real Instagram Followers?

Do the Instagram Live comments distract you? We understand the comments can get too much sometimes, making you want more control over them. But there’s a solution for how to hide comments on Instagram Live. 

Instagram allows you not only to hide comments but also to recover hidden comments. However, deleted comments on Instagram are not recoverable.

With this option, you can now host or attend engaging sessions without having to read through the comments. You can also turn them on later when you want feedback from your viewers. 

So, whether you’re wondering how to hide your comments during Live or as a viewer, you’re at the right place. In this guide, we’ll tell you tips and tricks on hiding Instagram comments and more. 

A person commenting on Instagram Live.

How To Hide Comments on Instagram Live as a Viewer

Are you watching someone’s Live streams? Do you want to know how to hide comments on Instagram Live as a viewer? It’s easy! Just follow these steps:

  1. Tap in the middle of the screen.
  2. Look for the Hide Comments option and tap on it.
  3. And the comments are gone! 

Now, you can enjoy the Live stream without any interruptions.

If this doesn’t work, and you want a cleaner screen while watching Live stream, here’s a simple hack:

  1. Open the Comment Section: While watching the Live broadcast, tap on the comment section.
  2. Type “@,” but Don’t Send: In the comment box, type the symbol “@” but don’t hit send.
  3. Hide All Comments: Your screen will magically clear, hiding all the comments.
  4. Show Comments Again: If you want the comments back, tap the comment section again.

With these easy steps, you can enjoy an Instagram Live without any comment distractions. It lets you focus completely on the awesome content happening in real-time.

A woman is setting up the camera on a ring light.

How To Get Rid of Comments on Instagram Live Feed as a Host

Do the stream of comments on the screen during a Live session distract you?

During a Live stream, managing comments can be a hassle for the host user. Moreover, it can distract them from the main discussion or content.

But don’t worry, we have a solution. So, if you’re wondering how to get rid of comments on Instagram Live feed as a host, follow the steps. 

1. Start a Live Broadcast

To get started, open the Instagram app on your phone. Now, it’s time to begin your Live broadcast. Here’s how to do it:

  1. First, tap on the Instagram icon to launch the app and log into your account.
  2. Tap the camera icon at the top left.
  3. Choose between a Live video and a simple one.
  4. Pick the Live video option to start your broadcast.

2. Choose a Way To Hide Comments

Starting a Live broadcast on Instagram gives you control over comments. Here are ways to manage your Live comments:

  • Filter offensive comments: Instagram will automatically filter comments with specific words to stop negativity.
  • Disable comments: Turn off comments completely if you want a comment-free session.
  • Enabling comment moderation: This lets you approve comments before they show.

Filter Offensive Comments

Do you want to make sure you don’t see any unwanted comments during your Instagram Live? Easy! Follow these steps:

  1. Go to your Instagram profile and tap those three lines in the top-right corner to open the menu.
  2. Select “Settings” and then tap on “Privacy.”
  3. Choose “Comments” and turn on the switch for “Hide Offensive Comments.”
  4. If you want to hide comments with specific words, go to “Manual Filter” and type those words in. Any comment with those words will vanish during your Live.

Hide Comments on Instagram During Live Broadcast

If you want to hide comments on Live, follow these steps:

  1. While you’re Live on Instagram, tap the comment moderation menu at the bottom.
  2. Choose to turn off comments.

3. Moderating Comments During Live Broadcast

Moderate comments effectively during your Instagram Live by using the comment moderation menu:

  1. Tap the three dots at the bottom right while Live to access the comment moderation menu.
  2. Turn on ‘Enable Comment Moderation’ to approve comments before they show.
  3. Review and decide to show or hide each comment to keep things positive.
  4. Hide or block users causing trouble for a safe and happy Live broadcast.

4. Restrict Commenting

You can limit who can comment to have more control over your Instagram Live. Here’s how:

  1. Before going Live, tap the gear icon in the top-right corner to access settings.
  2. Scroll down and choose “Privacy,” then tap “Comments.”
  3. In the “Who Can Comment” section, choose from “Everyone,” “People You Follow and Your Followers,” or “People You Follow Only.”

5. Block User

Blocking a user from commenting on your Live stream is straightforward. Here’s a simple guide to help you block someone during a Livestream:

  1. During your Live stream, tap on the comment section to open it.
  2. Locate the comment of the user you want to block.
  3. Tap on the username of the person you wish to block. This will open a pop-up with options related to that user.
  4. In the pop-up, choose the “Block” option. This action will block the user from commenting during the Live stream and interacting with your account.
  5. Confirm the action to complete the process.

6. Unhide Comments After the Broadcast

After moderating during your Live broadcast, unhide your hidden comments with these steps:

  1. Go to your profile, tap the three horizontal lines, and select ‘Settings.’
  2. Under ‘Privacy,’ choose ‘Comments.’
  3. Turn off ‘Hide Offensive Comments’ to make all comments from your Live broadcast visible again.

A person is hiding comments on a Live session.

Why Hide Comments on Instagram Live Feed as a Host?

In 2023, 92% of global internet users preferred video content over static photos, with Live Streams ranking third in popularity. Nowadays, Live streaming is widely used by brands and influencers for engagement.

When hosting a Live session, you have to manage various aspects. One important decision is whether you want to see what your viewers are saying. While this may seem counterintuitive to engagement, there are valid reasons why you might choose to hide comments on your Live feed. Let’s explore a few reasons.

  • Focus on the Session: Hiding comments during a live session helps hosts concentrate on the main discussion. Imagine you’re teaching or performing, and comments keep popping up—it can be really distracting.
  • Less Interruption: When there are lots of comments, it can be tough to keep track. Hiding them makes the experience smoother for both the host and the viewers.
  • Look More Professional: For important things like business events or product launches, hosts may hide comments to maintain a professional appearance and keep everything under control.
  • Avoid Inappropriacy: Hiding comments can stop bad or rude remarks during the Live video, creating a safe and positive space for everyone.
  • Less Confusion: If the host demonstrates something, hiding comments avoids confusion and keeps the focus on the main content.
  • Better Visuals: Some hosts really care about how their Live videos appear. Hiding comments can make the screen look cleaner, especially for those who want a cool visual experience.
  • No Spam: Live videos can attract spam or irrelevant comments. Hiding comments acts like a filter, keeping out content that isn’t relevant.
  • Encourage Different Interactions: When hosts hide comments, it could be a way of saying, “Hey, if you want to chat, use direct messages or ask questions another way.” It can change things up and encourage people to interact in other ways.

A person is reading comments on Instagram

How To Hide Comments on Instagram After Posting Live Session on Feed

Hiding comments on Instagram is a straightforward process, allowing you to manage the visibility of comments on your posts. Don’t know how to hide comments on Instagram? We can be your guide. Here’s what you can do if you spot inappropriate, unwanted comments that you want to hide:

  1. Launch the Instagram app on your mobile device.
  2. Go to the post on which you want to hide comments. You can either find it on your profile or in your feed.
  3. Tap the speech bubble icon below your post to open the comments section.
  4. Scroll through the comments to find the specific comment you wish to hide.
  5. Swipe left on the comment you want to hide. This will reveal a few options.
  6. After swiping left, tap the three-dot icon next to the comment. This will open additional options.
  7. From the menu that appears, choose the “Hide” option. This action will hide the selected comment from other users’ views.
  8. Instagram will ask for confirmation to hide the comment. Confirm the action, and Instagram will hide the comment from your post.

A person leaving a comment on an Instagram post.

How To Reply To Comments on Instagram

Now, if you’re done hiding negative comments or hate speech, you may want to reply to the other lovely ones. 

Replying to comments on Instagram is a great way to engage with your followers and build a sense of community. But how do you do that? Here’s a simple guide on how to reply to comments on Instagram:

  1. Launch the Instagram app on your mobile device.
  2. Go to the post on which you want to reply to comments.
  3. Tap the speech bubble icon below your post to open the comments section.
  4. Scroll through the comments to locate the specific comment you wish to respond to.
  5. Underneath the comment, you’ll find a “Reply” button. Tap on it to open the reply field.
  6. In the reply field, type your response to the comment. You can include emojis and mentions and even use Instagram’s reply features.
  7. Write the reply and tap the “Send” button (usually a paper airplane icon) to post your response.

Your reply will now be visible under the original comment. Others can see the conversation thread, creating a more interactive and engaging environment.

A person is reading Instagram Live comments.

Get More Comments and Visibility on Your Instagram Posts With Path Social

Hiding comments on Instagram Live is a useful strategy that makes the experience of your Live videos better. This helps you create a positive environment during Live streams. When you control which comments show up on your screen, it keeps your content flowing. It also cuts down on distractions, prevents inappropriate comments, and lets you guide the conversation your way. 

Now that you know how to hide comments on Instagram Live, you must be wondering about increasing your engagement.

If so, Path Social is here to your rescue. At Path Social, we have a decade-long expertise in Instagram management services for influencers and brands. Not only that, but we have an in-house platform for Instagram influencers and an AI targeting algorithm. This enables us to help you connect with real, interested, and engaged users. The result? A lasting Instagram community. 

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