How to Turn Off and Filter Comments on TikTok

Comments are one of the best parts of TikTok, until they aren’t. A video takes off, the wrong crowd finds it, and your notifications fill with spam, insults or the same joke a thousand times.

TikTok gives you a lot of control here. You can turn off comments on one video or your whole account, filter specific words, hold every comment for approval, delete or pin comments, and run a separate set of controls on LIVE. This guide walks through each, in order from lightest to strongest. TikTok renames menus from time to time, so if a label differs in your app, look for the closest match.

How do you turn off comments on a single TikTok video?

On a posted video, tap the “…” (more) button, open Privacy settings and switch off Allow comments. Before posting, you’ll find the same toggle on the post screen, often under “More options”.

Open the video on your profile.
Tap the “…” or share/more icon.
Tap Privacy settings.
Turn off Allow comments.

Existing comments are hidden from viewers while comments are off. Turn the toggle back on and they’ll reappear. This is the best option when a single video attracts trouble but the rest of your account is fine.

How to turn off comments on your whole TikTok account

Go to Profile → Menu (☰) → Settings and privacy → Privacy → Comments and set who can comment to No one. That applies to all your videos.

The same screen usually offers three levels:

Setting	Who can comment	When to use it
Everyone	Anyone who can see your video	Growing accounts that want maximum engagement
Followers you follow back (friends)	Only mutual follows	Personal accounts, or after a harassment wave
No one	Nobody	Taking a break, or for sensitive content

Turning comments off completely removes a signal many creators rely on. If you want to grow, filtering is often a better trade-off than a full shutdown. Comments and conversation matter to reach, as our guide to how the TikTok algorithm works explains.

How to filter comments on TikTok with keywords

In Settings and privacy → Privacy → Comments, turn on Filter keywords and add the words or phrases you don’t want to see. Matching comments are held back and kept out of public view.

Open Settings and privacy → Privacy → Comments.
Switch on Filter spam and offensive comments for TikTok’s automatic filter.
Switch on Filter keywords and tap Add keywords.
Enter each word or phrase and save.
Check the filtered comments list now and then; you can approve anything caught by mistake.

Tips for a good keyword list:

Add variations. People dodge filters with spaces, numbers or symbols, so add common misspellings.
Include spam patterns. “Check my bio”, “DM me”, crypto or giveaway phrases are common.
Add personal details. Your real surname, school or workplace can stop people posting them.
Review monthly. Trolls change tactics, and so should your list.

What does “Filter all comments” do?

Filter all comments holds every new comment for your review. Nothing appears publicly until you approve it in the filtered comments list.

It’s the strongest option short of switching comments off, and it’s useful when:

A video unexpectedly goes viral and attracts a hostile crowd.
You post about something sensitive and want to keep the conversation kind.
You’re away for a few days and can’t moderate in real time.

The downside is effort. Every comment needs a decision, so viewers may wonder why their comments haven’t appeared. Many creators switch it on for a few days during a pile-on, then return to keyword filters once things calm down.

If you use it, set aside a few minutes once or twice a day to work through the queue. Approving good comments quickly keeps your regular viewers chatting, and a reply from you on an approved comment shows newcomers that the comment section is still open to people who are kind.

How to delete, pin and manage TikTok comments

Long-press any comment on your video to see options such as Pin, Delete, Report and Manage multiple comments.

Delete one comment. Long-press, tap Delete.
Delete many at once. Long-press, tap Manage multiple comments, select the comments, then Delete.
Block from comments. In the same multi-select view, tap More, then Block accounts to block several people in one go.
Pin a comment. Long-press, tap Pin. Pinned comments sit at the top, which is great for FAQs or setting the tone.
Reply with a video. Answering a good question with a new video turns comments into content.

Pinning a helpful comment is underrated. A pinned “Song is in the caption” or “Part 2 is up” cuts down on repeat questions. For blocking in more detail, see how to block someone on TikTok.

How to filter and turn off comments on TikTok LIVE

Before going LIVE, open the Settings (gear) on the LIVE setup screen to manage comments and add keyword filters. During the stream, you can mute individual viewers, assign moderators or turn comments off.

Typical LIVE comment controls include:

Keyword filter. Add words to block from your LIVE chat. You can usually edit the list before and during the stream.
Turn comments off. Useful for a short segment, though it removes most interaction.
Mute a viewer. Tap their name and choose Mute for a set time or the rest of the LIVE.
Moderators. Trusted helpers can mute, remove and report. See how to add moderators on TikTok LIVE.
Who can comment. Some accounts can limit LIVE comments to followers or friends.

LIVE is where comments matter most, so turning them off is rarely the right answer. Structure works better. When viewers are busy typing team names in a game such as Tug of War, the chat stays on-topic and spam stands out. More ideas in how to get more comments on TikTok LIVE.

Which comment setting should you use?

Start with the lightest control that fixes the problem: spam filters and keywords for most people, Filter all comments during a pile-on, and No one only when you need a full break.

Situation	Recommended setting
Occasional spam or rude words	Spam and offensive filter plus custom keywords
One video attracting trouble	Turn off comments on that video only
Viral pile-on	Filter all comments for a few days
Persistent harasser	Block and report the account
Need a complete break	Who can comment: No one
Messy LIVE chat	LIVE keyword filter, moderators, mute

For a broader lockdown, pair comment settings with a private account. Our guide on how to make your TikTok account private covers that.

Frequently asked questions

Can you turn off comments on just one TikTok video?

Yes. Open the video, tap the more button, go to Privacy settings and switch off Allow comments. You can also turn comments off on the post screen before publishing.

How do I filter certain words in TikTok comments?

Go to Settings and privacy, then Privacy, then Comments, turn on Filter keywords and add the words or phrases you want to hide.

What happens to old comments when I turn off comments on TikTok?

They are hidden from viewers while comments are off. If you switch comments back on, they reappear unless you deleted them.

Can people see filtered comments on TikTok?

Filtered comments are held back from public view. You can review them and approve any that were caught by mistake.

How do I turn off comments on TikTok LIVE?

Use the settings on the LIVE setup screen or the LIVE controls during the stream to manage or turn off comments. You can also add keyword filters, mute viewers and assign moderators.

Can I delete multiple comments at once on TikTok?

Yes. Long-press a comment, tap Manage multiple comments, select the ones you want and tap Delete.

Does turning off comments hurt TikTok reach?

It can, because comments are a form of engagement. Filtering keywords is usually a better balance than turning comments off entirely if you want to grow.

Written by the Tream Team. Tream is an independent product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by TikTok or ByteDance. TikTok features and eligibility rules change, so check TikTok’s current guidelines in the app.