Table of Contents

How to Reignite the Conversation: Turning Comments Back On on TikTok

So, you’ve been in the comment section wilderness on TikTok, and you’re itching to get back into the fray? Whether you mistakenly switched them off, needed a temporary break, or are ready to engage with your audience again, turning comments back on TikTok is a pretty straightforward process. Let’s cut to the chase:

How to Turn Comments Back On on TikTok:

The specific steps depend on where you disabled comments in the first place. You might have disabled them on a single video or for all your videos via your account settings.

For a Single Video:
1. Go to the video where you want to enable comments.
2. Tap the three dots (…) on the right side of the screen.
3. Swipe left on the bottom row of icons until you see “Privacy Settings.” Tap it.
4. Toggle the “Allow Comments” switch to the “on” position (it will turn green).
5. Exit the Privacy Settings. Comments should now be enabled on that video.
For All Videos (Account-Wide Setting):
1. Go to your profile page by tapping the “Profile” icon in the bottom right corner.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner.
3. Select “Settings and privacy.”
4. Tap “Privacy.”
5. Scroll down to the “Comments” section.
6. Under “Comment filters,” look for “Who can comment on your videos?” and tap it.
7. Choose your desired setting. Options typically include: “Everyone,” “Followers you follow back,” or “Mentions only.” Selecting “Everyone” generally opens the floodgates.
8. If you previously selected “No one,” changing it to another option will effectively turn comments back on for future videos. Note that this setting doesn’t retroactively affect videos where you’ve individually disabled comments.

That’s it! You’re back in the conversation. Now, let’s dive into some of the frequently asked questions surrounding TikTok comments, management, and moderation.

Understanding TikTok Comments: FAQs and Expert Insights

Here are some FAQs to help you further navigate the world of TikTok comments, offering helpful context and strategies.

FAQ 1: Why Were My Comments Turned Off Automatically?

Several reasons could lead to comments being automatically disabled:

Violation of Community Guidelines: TikTok has strict community guidelines. If your video or account has been flagged for violating these guidelines (e.g., hate speech, violence, misinformation), TikTok might automatically restrict comments, among other actions.
Account Age: If you recently created your account, TikTok might temporarily restrict certain features, including comments, as a security measure. This usually lifts after a short period.
Account Type/Privacy Settings: If you have a private account, only approved followers can comment. If your privacy settings are too restrictive, it might appear as if comments are turned off for everyone else.
Accidental Setting Change: It’s easy to accidentally toggle the “Allow Comments” switch when editing a video or adjusting privacy settings. Double-check your settings.
TikTok Glitch: While rare, occasional glitches can cause features to malfunction. If you suspect a glitch, try restarting the app or contacting TikTok support.

FAQ 2: How Do I Moderate Comments on TikTok?

TikTok provides several tools for comment moderation:

Filtering: In your “Settings and privacy” > “Privacy” > “Comments” section, you can filter comments based on keywords. You can create a custom list of words and phrases that will be automatically hidden or sent to a review queue.
Report Inappropriate Comments: Tap and hold on a comment to report it to TikTok. TikTok’s moderation team will review the comment and take action if it violates community guidelines.
Delete Comments: As the video creator, you can delete any comment on your videos by tapping and holding on it and then selecting “Delete.”
Pin Comments: Highlight positive or important comments by pinning them to the top of the comment section. This increases visibility and can guide the conversation.
Block Users: If a user consistently posts inappropriate or harassing comments, block them to prevent them from interacting with your content.

FAQ 3: Can I Approve Comments Before They Are Posted?

Yes, TikTok offers a comment approval feature:

Go to “Settings and privacy” > “Privacy” > “Comments.”
Toggle the “Filter all comments” switch to the “on” position.

With this setting enabled, all comments will be held for your approval before they are visible to others. This gives you complete control over the conversation on your videos.

FAQ 4: Can I Turn Off Comments on Live Videos?

Yes, you can turn off comments during a live video:

During your live broadcast, tap the three dots (…) on the bottom right of the screen.
Select “Settings.”
Toggle the “Comments” switch to the “off” position.

This allows you to focus on your content without distractions or potential negativity. You can turn them back on at any time during the live stream.

FAQ 5: What’s the Difference Between “Everyone” and “Followers You Follow Back” in Comment Settings?

This determines who can engage with your videos:

Everyone: Anyone on TikTok, regardless of whether they follow you or not, can comment on your videos. This maximizes engagement but also increases the risk of spam or inappropriate comments.
Followers You Follow Back: Only users you follow back can comment on your videos. This creates a more curated and potentially safer comment section. It’s a good option if you want to build a close-knit community.

FAQ 6: How Do I Deal with Spam Comments?

Spam comments are a persistent problem on social media. Here’s how to combat them on TikTok:

Report Spam: Report spam comments to TikTok.
Block Spammers: Block users who consistently post spam.
Use Comment Filters: Add common spam phrases (e.g., “Check my profile,” “Free giveaway”) to your comment filter list.
Consider Comment Approval: If spam is a major issue, enable comment approval to review all comments before they are published.

FAQ 7: Can I Change My Comment Settings for Multiple Videos at Once?

Unfortunately, TikTok doesn’t offer a bulk edit feature for comment settings. You have to adjust the “Allow Comments” setting on each video individually if you want to change it for videos that are already published. The account-wide setting only affects videos published after you make the change.

FAQ 8: Why Can’t I Comment on Other People’s Videos?

Several reasons might prevent you from commenting on other people’s videos:

Their Comment Settings: The video creator may have restricted comments to “Followers they follow back” or disabled them entirely.
You Are Blocked: The video creator may have blocked you.
Account Restrictions: TikTok might have placed restrictions on your account due to violations of community guidelines.
Technical Issues: A glitch or temporary server issue could be preventing you from commenting.

FAQ 9: Does Turning Off Comments Affect My Video’s Performance?

Potentially, yes. Comments are a form of engagement, and higher engagement can signal to TikTok’s algorithm that your video is interesting and valuable. Turning off comments might reduce overall engagement, potentially impacting your video’s reach. However, this also depends on the content of the comments. If your comments section is full of negativity and spam, turning them off might actually improve the perception of your video.

FAQ 10: Can I Turn Off Comments for Specific Users Only?

No, TikTok doesn’t offer the ability to selectively turn off comments for specific users without blocking them. Your options are to allow comments from everyone, followers you follow back, mentions only, or no one, or to block specific users entirely.

FAQ 11: How Do I Report Abusive Comments?

Reporting abusive comments is crucial for maintaining a safe and positive community:

Tap and hold on the comment you want to report.
Select “Report.”
Choose the reason for reporting the comment (e.g., hate speech, harassment, bullying).
Provide additional details if necessary.
Tap “Submit.”

TikTok’s moderation team will review the reported comment and take action if it violates community guidelines.

FAQ 12: What Happens When I Block Someone on TikTok?

Blocking someone on TikTok has several effects:

They can’t follow you.
They can’t view your videos (if your account is public) or stories.
They can’t send you messages.
They can’t find your profile in search.
They can’t comment on your videos or live videos.
You also won’t see their content.

In essence, blocking someone completely severs their connection to your account and content. It’s a powerful tool for protecting yourself from harassment and negativity.