How To Remove YouTube Comments: A Comprehensive Guide for Creators and Viewers

Want to remove comments from your YouTube videos or even from channels you follow? You’ve landed in the right place. Whether you’re a creator looking to maintain a positive community or a viewer wanting to scrub your online footprint, this guide offers a clear, comprehensive walkthrough.

The Quick Answer: Removing YouTube Comments

The process of removing YouTube comments depends on whether you’re the video owner or just a viewer. Let’s break it down:

• As a Video Owner (Creator): You have the most control. You can delete individual comments, hide users from your channel, set up comment moderation, and even disable comments entirely.
• As a Viewer: Your options are more limited. You can delete comments you’ve made on other people’s videos. You cannot delete other people’s comments (unless you are a moderator of the channel).

Now, let’s dive into the specifics of each scenario.

Removing Comments as a Video Owner (Creator)

As a creator, maintaining a healthy and engaged community often means moderating the comments section. Here’s how you can remove or manage comments effectively:

Deleting Individual Comments

This is the most basic method. You can delete individual comments directly from your video’s watch page or through YouTube Studio.

1. On the Watch Page: Go to your video on YouTube. Scroll down to the comments section. Hover over the comment you want to remove. You’ll see three vertical dots (the “More” menu) appear beside the comment. Click on the dots, and then select “Remove.”
2. In YouTube Studio: Go to YouTube Studio. In the left-hand menu, click on “Comments”. Find the comment you wish to remove (you can use the search bar). Hover over the comment, and click the three vertical dots. Select “Remove.”

Deleted comments are gone permanently, so use this option carefully.

Hiding Users from Your Channel

Sometimes, simply deleting comments isn’t enough. If a user consistently posts inappropriate or disruptive content, you can hide them from your channel. This means their comments will only be visible to them and they won’t be able to interact with your content.

1. Locate a Comment: Find a comment from the user you want to hide, either on the watch page or in YouTube Studio.
2. Open the “More” Menu: Click the three vertical dots next to the comment.
3. Select “Hide User from Channel”: This option will prevent the user from commenting on your videos publicly.

Utilizing Comment Moderation Settings

YouTube provides powerful tools for comment moderation. You can set rules that automatically hold potentially inappropriate comments for review before they appear publicly.

1. Access YouTube Studio: Go to YouTube Studio.
2. Navigate to Settings: In the left-hand menu, click “Settings”.
3. Go to Community: Click on “Community”.
4. Moderation Tab: You’ll find options here to:
   • Set Default Settings: Choose whether comments are “Allowed”, “Held for Review”, or “Disabled” for all new uploads.
   • Manage Approved Users: Add users whose comments will always be approved automatically.
   • Manage Hidden Users: This is where you can see and unhide users you’ve previously hidden.
   • Block Words: Add a list of words that will automatically flag comments containing them for review.

Disabling Comments Entirely

In some cases, you might decide that the best course of action is to disable comments altogether. This prevents anyone from commenting on your video.

1. Edit the Video: Go to YouTube Studio and select the video you want to edit.
2. Show More: Scroll down and click on “SHOW MORE”.
3. Comments & Ratings: Under the “Comments & Ratings” section, select “Disable comments” from the dropdown menu.
4. Save Changes: Click “Save” in the top right corner.

Removing Comments as a Viewer

As a viewer, your power lies in managing your own comments. Here’s how to delete comments you’ve made on other people’s videos:

Deleting Your Own Comments

1. Access Your History: There are two ways to do this. First, on the left menu of the YouTube homepage, click on the “History” tab. If this is not visible, click on the three horizontal lines in the top left corner of the page to expand the menu. On the History page, click on “Comments” on the right menu. Alternatively, go to your Google Activity page.
2. Find the Comment: Locate the comment you want to delete in your comment history. This might involve some scrolling, depending on how active you are.
3. Open the Menu: Click the three vertical dots next to the comment.
4. Select “Delete”: Confirm that you want to delete the comment.

This will permanently remove your comment from the video.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I remove all comments from my YouTube videos at once?

While YouTube doesn’t offer a one-click “delete all” button, you can use the YouTube Studio’s comment moderation tools and filter by video to delete comments in batches. You can also explore third-party browser extensions or scripts that automate the process, but exercise caution as these may violate YouTube’s terms of service.

2. What happens when I hide a user from my channel?

When you hide a user, their comments become invisible to everyone but themselves. They can still comment, but no one else will see it. They also won’t be notified that they’ve been hidden. This is a useful alternative to banning, as they may not even realize they’ve been hidden.

3. Can I report a comment on YouTube?

Yes, you can report a comment if it violates YouTube’s Community Guidelines. To do this, click the three vertical dots next to the comment and select “Report.” You’ll then be prompted to specify the reason for the report.

4. How do I become a moderator for a YouTube channel?

The channel owner must grant you moderator privileges. They can do this in YouTube Studio by going to “Settings” > “Community” and adding you to the “Moderators” section. Moderators have the power to remove comments, hide users, and perform other moderation tasks.

5. What is the difference between removing a comment and hiding a user?

Removing a comment deletes that specific comment. Hiding a user prevents their future comments from being visible to others, without notifying the user that they have been hidden.

6. Can I see comments that I’ve removed or hidden?

You can see comments that are being held for review in the YouTube Studio comments section. You can also view a list of hidden users in the “Community” settings. However, once a comment has been deleted it is gone for good.

7. Are there any automated tools to help with YouTube comment moderation?

Yes, several third-party tools offer advanced comment moderation features, such as sentiment analysis and automatic filtering. However, be cautious when using these tools and ensure they comply with YouTube’s terms of service. Some examples include: BrandMentions, Awario, and Mentionlytics.

8. How do I block specific words from being used in comments on my videos?

In YouTube Studio, go to “Settings” > “Community” and add the words you want to block to the “Blocked words” list. Any comments containing those words will be automatically held for review.

9. What happens if I disable comments on a video?

Disabling comments prevents anyone from posting new comments on the video. Existing comments remain visible, but no further interaction is possible.

10. Can I restore a comment that I accidentally deleted?

Unfortunately, no. Once a comment is deleted, it’s permanently gone. This is why it’s important to be sure before you delete a comment.

11. How can I deal with spam comments on my YouTube videos?

Utilize YouTube’s comment moderation settings to automatically filter out spam. Report spam comments to help YouTube improve its detection algorithms. Additionally, consider using third-party tools specifically designed to identify and remove spam.

12. Does deleting a YouTube comment affect the overall engagement of my video?

Deleting legitimate comments can negatively affect engagement, as it reduces the overall conversation and interaction on your video. However, deleting spam or abusive comments can improve the quality of the discussion and foster a more positive community, ultimately benefiting long-term engagement.

By understanding these methods and utilizing YouTube’s built-in features, you can effectively manage your comments section, foster a positive community, and maintain control over your online presence. Good luck creating and engaging!