How to Disable YouTube Comments: A Creator’s Definitive Guide

So, you’re thinking about silencing the digital peanut gallery on your YouTube channel? Perhaps the comments are a vibrant hub of constructive discussion, or maybe they’ve devolved into a chaotic swamp of negativity. Whatever the reason, disabling comments is a straightforward process. The bottom line: disabling YouTube comments can be done channel-wide, or on a video-by-video basis, offering granular control over your content’s interaction. Let’s dive into the how-to.

The Core Process: Silencing the Comments

Disabling comments requires access to YouTube Studio, the central hub for managing your channel. The method varies slightly depending on whether you want to disable comments for an entire channel, a single video, or multiple videos at once.

Disabling Comments on a Single Video

This is the most common and often the most useful method, allowing you to tailor the comment section to the specific content. Here’s how:

1. Log in to YouTube Studio: Access your YouTube account and navigate to YouTube Studio.
2. Go to Content: In the left-hand menu, click on “Content.” This will display a list of all your uploaded videos.
3. Select the Video: Find the video you want to modify and click on its title or thumbnail.
4. Open Video Details: Click on the “Details” icon (a pencil icon).
5. Scroll Down and Show More: Scroll down to the bottom of the “Details” page and click on “SHOW MORE.”
6. Locate Comments Section: Continue scrolling until you find the “Comments and Ratings” section.
7. Disable Comments: In the “Comments” dropdown menu, select “Disable comments.”
8. Save Changes: Click the “SAVE” button in the top-right corner of the screen.

That’s it! Comments are now disabled for that specific video. Users will no longer be able to post new comments, and existing comments will be hidden.

Disabling Comments on Multiple Videos Simultaneously

If you need to disable comments on a bunch of videos at once (perhaps you’re pivoting your channel’s strategy or just want a fresh start), here’s how to do it in bulk:

1. Log in to YouTube Studio: Access your YouTube account and navigate to YouTube Studio.
2. Go to Content: In the left-hand menu, click on “Content.”
3. Select Videos: Select the videos you wish to update by checking the boxes next to their thumbnails. You can select multiple videos.
4. Edit Option: At the top, you will see an “Edit” dropdown menu. Click on it.
5. Choose Comments: Select “Comments” from the dropdown menu.
6. Update Comments: Change the setting to “Disable comments.”
7. Update Videos: Click the “UPDATE VIDEOS” button and acknowledge the warning message.

Be absolutely certain before you bulk disable comments. This action can’t be undone individually for each video, so double-check your selections.

Disabling Comments Globally (Channel-Wide Default)

YouTube allows you to set a default comment setting for all future uploads. This doesn’t affect existing videos, but it ensures that new videos will have the desired comment setting from the get-go.

1. Log in to YouTube Studio: Access your YouTube account and navigate to YouTube Studio.
2. Go to Settings: In the left-hand menu, click on “Settings.”
3. Go to Upload Defaults: In the “Settings” menu, click on “Upload defaults.”
4. Go to Advanced Settings: Click on the “Advanced settings” tab.
5. Locate Comments Section: Find the “Comments” dropdown menu.
6. Disable Comments: Select “Disable comments” from the dropdown menu.
7. Save Changes: Click the “SAVE” button.

From now on, any new video you upload will have comments disabled by default. You can, of course, override this setting on a per-video basis if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the most common questions creators have about disabling YouTube comments, along with detailed answers:

1. Will disabling comments delete existing comments? No, disabling comments doesn’t actually delete existing comments. They are simply hidden from public view. If you re-enable comments later, the old comments will reappear. To permanently delete comments, you would need to do so manually, one by one or by using third-party tools (with caution, as some may violate YouTube’s terms of service).

2. Can I choose to disable comments only for certain users? YouTube doesn’t offer a feature to disable comments specifically for individual users. However, you can block users. Blocked users cannot comment on any of your videos, even if comments are enabled. You can also hide user comments by clicking on the three dots next to their name. Their comment will only be visible to themselves and the channel owner.

3. What happens when I disable comments? When you disable comments, viewers will no longer see the comment section on the video page. They won’t be able to post new comments, and existing comments will be hidden. The video’s public “Likes” and “Dislikes” will usually remain visible unless you choose to hide them separately.

4. Can I re-enable comments after disabling them? Yes, you can re-enable comments at any time. Simply follow the same steps as disabling them, but instead of selecting “Disable comments,” choose a different option like “Allow all comments,” “Hold potentially inappropriate comments for review,” or “Hold all comments for review.” The previously hidden comments will reappear.

5. Does disabling comments affect my video’s ranking in search results? The impact of disabling comments on search ranking is debatable and not definitively proven. Some argue that active engagement (including comments) can signal to YouTube that your content is valuable, potentially boosting its ranking. Others believe that high-quality content, watch time, and audience retention are more significant factors. It is better to address the problem with the comments instead of disabling them.

6. Will disabling comments stop all interaction on my video? No, disabling comments only stops comments on the video page itself. Viewers can still “Like” or “Dislike” your video, share it on other platforms, and add it to playlists (unless you disable these features separately).

7. What are the alternatives to disabling comments entirely? If you’re hesitant to completely disable comments, consider these alternatives:

   • Moderation: Use YouTube’s moderation tools to hold potentially inappropriate comments for review.
   • Whitelist: Approve only comments from specific users.
   • Keyword Blocking: Automatically remove comments containing certain keywords.
   • Hiding Users: Hide specific users’ comments from public view.
   • Engaging with Comments: Actively respond to comments, fostering a positive and constructive community.

8. I disabled comments on a video, but they’re still showing up. What’s wrong? This can sometimes happen due to caching issues. Try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. If that doesn’t work, wait a few hours and check again. It’s also possible that you accidentally re-enabled comments or that the setting didn’t save correctly.

9. Can I get in trouble with YouTube for disabling comments? No, disabling comments is perfectly acceptable and doesn’t violate YouTube’s terms of service. It’s your prerogative as a creator to manage your comment section as you see fit.

10. If I disable comments on one channel, does it affect my other channels? No, comment settings are specific to each channel. Disabling comments on one channel won’t affect the comment settings on your other YouTube channels.

11. Can I disable comments from the YouTube mobile app? Yes, you can disable comments from the YouTube Studio mobile app. The process is similar to the desktop version: navigate to the video details, find the “Comments” section, and select “Disable comments.”

12. What’s the difference between “Hold potentially inappropriate comments for review” and “Hold all comments for review?” “Hold potentially inappropriate comments for review” uses YouTube’s automated system to identify and flag comments that might violate community guidelines (e.g., hate speech, harassment, spam). You then have the option to approve or reject these comments. “Hold all comments for review” means that every single comment will be held for your approval before being published. This gives you maximum control, but it also requires significantly more time and effort.

Ultimately, deciding whether or not to disable YouTube comments is a personal choice. Weigh the pros and cons, consider your channel’s goals, and choose the option that best suits your needs and fosters the kind of community you want to build. Sometimes, a little moderation is all you need. Other times, a clean slate is the right move. Good luck!