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How to Enable Comments on YouTube Mobile: A Definitive Guide

So, you’re wondering how to get those comments flowing on your YouTube videos from your mobile device? Excellent! Let’s cut through the noise and get straight to it. Enabling comments on YouTube mobile depends on why they are currently disabled. It’s either a video-specific setting, a channel-level setting, or due to YouTube’s child safety features. Here’s a breakdown of how to tackle each scenario:

For Individual Videos: If comments are disabled on a specific video, open the YouTube Studio app on your mobile device. Select Content from the bottom menu. Find the video in question and tap on it. Tap the pencil icon to edit the video. Go to “More options” and then “Comments”. Here, you can choose to allow all comments, hold potentially inappropriate comments for review, hold all comments for review, or disable comments entirely. Choose your desired option (likely “Allow all comments” or “Hold potentially inappropriate comments for review”) and then tap “Save”.
For Channel-Level Settings: If you’ve set a default comment setting for all your uploads, you’ll need to adjust that in the YouTube Studio website (not the mobile app, unfortunately). Access the YouTube Studio website on your mobile browser (or desktop). Go to Settings (usually found at the bottom of the left-hand menu). Then, navigate to Community and then Defaults. Here, you can change the default setting for comments on new uploads. This change won’t affect existing videos, only future ones.
Child Safety (COPPA) Restrictions: If your channel or a specific video is marked as “Made for Kids,” comments are automatically disabled to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). To change this, go to the YouTube Studio app, select Content, tap the video, then tap the pencil icon. Go to “Audience” and select either “Yes, it’s made for kids” or “No, it’s not made for kids.” If you select “No,” you should be able to enable comments (following step 1). Note that falsely classifying content as not made for kids to circumvent COPPA restrictions can have serious legal consequences, so be honest!

That’s the core of it. Let’s dive deeper with some frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Why are my YouTube comments automatically disabled?

There are several reasons why your YouTube comments might be automatically disabled. The most common reason is the “Made for Kids” setting. YouTube automatically disables comments, notifications, and personalized ads on content flagged as being for children to comply with COPPA regulations. Another reason could be a channel-level default setting that disables comments on all new uploads. Finally, YouTube itself might disable comments on videos that violate their community guidelines, especially if they attract spam or harassment.

Q2: How do I know if my video is set as “Made for Kids?”

Check the “Audience” section when editing the video in the YouTube Studio app or on the YouTube Studio website. It will explicitly state whether the video is designated for children. If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution and consult resources on COPPA compliance.

Q3: Can I enable comments on older videos that are currently disabled?

Yes, provided the reason for the disabled comments is not related to child safety and you didn’t manually disable them permanently. You can go into the YouTube Studio app or website, find the video, edit the settings, and change the comment permission as outlined in the initial instructions. Remember to save your changes.

Q4: I enabled comments, but I still don’t see them. What’s going on?

Several things could be happening. First, clear your browser’s cache and cookies (or the YouTube app’s cache). Sometimes old data prevents new changes from showing up. Second, make sure you’re logged in to the correct YouTube account. Third, ensure that your comments haven’t been filtered as spam or held for review. Check your “Held for Review” section in YouTube Studio. Lastly, give it a little time. Sometimes, changes take a few minutes to propagate across YouTube’s servers.

Q5: What are “Held for Review” comments, and why are they there?

YouTube’s algorithm automatically filters comments that it suspects might be spam, abusive, or otherwise violate community guidelines. These comments are placed in a “Held for Review” queue in your YouTube Studio. You can then manually approve or reject these comments. This feature helps you maintain a positive and productive comment section.

Q6: How do I manage comments that are being held for review?

In the YouTube Studio website, go to Comments. You’ll see tabs for “Published,” “Held for Review,” and “Likely Spam.” Click on “Held for Review” to see the filtered comments. You can then approve, remove, report, or hide users directly from this page.

Q7: Can I ban users from commenting on my YouTube channel?

Absolutely! Banning users is an effective way to deal with persistent troublemakers. You can ban users directly from the YouTube Studio website by going to Comments, hovering over a user’s comment, clicking the three dots, and selecting “Hide user from channel.” This prevents them from commenting on any of your videos.

Q8: How do I filter comments by keyword or user?

YouTube provides some filtering capabilities within the YouTube Studio website. In the Comments section, you can use the search bar to search for specific keywords or user names. While not a perfect solution, it can help you quickly find relevant comments.

Q9: How do I report inappropriate comments on YouTube?

Reporting inappropriate comments helps YouTube enforce its community guidelines. To report a comment, hover over it, click the three dots, and select “Report.” You can then choose the reason for reporting the comment (e.g., hate speech, harassment, spam).

Q10: What’s the difference between “Hold potentially inappropriate comments for review” and “Hold all comments for review?”

“Hold potentially inappropriate comments for review” allows YouTube’s algorithm to automatically filter out comments it deems likely to be problematic, saving you time and effort. “Hold all comments for review” requires you to manually approve every single comment before it’s visible, giving you maximum control but also demanding significant time commitment, especially for channels with high comment volume.

Q11: Does enabling comments affect my video’s ranking in YouTube search?

Indirectly, yes. A lively comment section can boost engagement, signaling to YouTube that your video is valuable and interesting. This increased engagement can positively influence your video’s ranking. However, the quality of engagement is crucial. A comment section filled with spam or negativity can have the opposite effect.

Q12: I’m still having trouble enabling comments. Where can I get more help?

YouTube’s help resources are extensive. Start with the YouTube Help Center, searching for specific keywords like “enable comments” or “COPPA.” You can also explore the YouTube Creator Academy for tutorials and best practices. Finally, consider reaching out to the YouTube Help Community forum to ask questions and get advice from other creators.

Enabling comments is crucial for building a community around your content. By understanding the various settings and potential pitfalls, you can foster a positive and engaging comment section that benefits both you and your viewers. Remember to stay vigilant, moderate proactively, and adapt your strategy as your channel grows. Good luck and happy commenting!