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New Instagram Story Comment Feature: What You Need to Know

Estimated Read Time: 10 min.
An image showing Instagram's new update about public comments on Stories, highlighting what users need to know about the feature.
Overview

Just when you thought Instagram had maxed out on ways to keep you glued to your screen, they’ve thrown another curveball our way—Instagram Story Comments. If you thought reactions and DMs were enough, think again. This new feature lets users publicly comment on Stories, adding a whole new layer of engagement. Love it or hate it, Instagram is determined to make Stories more interactive.

In this article, we’ll break down what Instagram Story Comments are all about, how you can manage them, and why you might want to keep them on—or turn them off. Whether you’re excited to hear what your followers have to say or just want a break from the noise, we’ve got the lowdown on everything you need to know!

Understanding Instagram Story Comments

Instagram Story Comments are a new feature shaking things up on the platform. Before, it was all about quick reactions or sliding into DMs, but now there’s a public comment section under Stories for everyone to see. It’s like a post comment section, but with a 24-hour lifespan. Here’s how it works: If your account is public, anyone you follow can comment. If it’s private, only those you follow back can. Comments are visible to anyone who views your Story and stick around even if you save the Story as a Highlight.

Benefits of Instagram Story Comments

  • Boosted Engagement: These comments give followers another way to interact with content, leading to more meaningful conversations and reactions. For influencers and brands, this can be a game-changer by providing more visibility into what content works and what doesn’t. Imagine getting real-time feedback or sparking a lively discussion on a new product drop or life update. It’s a handy way to gauge interest without sifting through a pile of DMs. Speaking of engagement, we offer you our Instagram Story Views service! A service that can help your story show up on more devices, encouraging more comments! 
  • Building a Community Feel: With public comments, followers might feel like they’re part of a mini community around a Story. Seeing others’ comments could encourage more interactions, leading to higher engagement overall. Whether you’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look, asking questions, or running a poll, this feature gives an extra layer of community building.

How the Public Is Reacting to This Feature

The internet’s got mixed feelings about Instagram’s latest update. Some folks are loving the new way to engage, calling it a great way to connect more deeply with followers. On the flip side, some are already making memes about it, saying it’s just another way for Instagram to get in our business. Others think it’s a useless feature that messes with privacy and opens up more room for spam. Whether it’s a love or hate relationship, the reactions are pouring in fast and furious.

Then there’s this crowd calling it a, as the internet says it– shady update that could get messy real fast. Knowing how the internet is and how trolls have existed for years ,imagine this: you post a cute selfie, feeling great, and suddenly there’s a random comment from some troll: “Posting selfies while still not giving me my money back is crazy.” Oh, and if we forgot to mention…these comments are visible to everyone. Side eye. 

Why You Might Want to Turn Them Off

Due to the feedback received, many people believe this feature is absolutely useless. We wanted to step in this side of the internet’s shoes for a while. There are plenty of reasons why you might want to keep them off. For one, it helps avoid spam and unwanted comments, keeping your Story experience clean and focused. If you’re all about maintaining a specific image or narrative, turning off comments can help keep the focus on your content rather than people’s opinions.

  • Privacy Matters: If you’re someone who prefers privacy or runs a personal account, public comments might feel invasive. Imagine sharing a private moment only to have someone hijack it with an unrelated comment or, worse, spam. Turning off comments ensures your Stories remain for your eyes and your closest followers only.
  • Brand Control: For business accounts, the comment section can quickly turn into a space for criticism, competitor marketing, or even trolls. This could hurt brand image if not monitored closely. Turning off comments can help you maintain control of your brand’s narrative without having to constantly moderate the comment section.
  • Avoiding Overload: Public figures and influencers with large followings might struggle with an overwhelming amount of comments. Not every moment needs to be a discussion, and turning off comments can help keep your social media space a little less hectic.

Turning off comments isn’t about shutting down conversation altogether; it’s about deciding when and where that conversation is most productive. There are moments when it makes sense to let people speak and others when it’s best to keep the mic off.

How to Turn Comments On or Off for Stories

If you’re wondering how to control who can comment on your Instagram Stories, it’s pretty straightforward. You can manage these settings for individual Stories or apply them across all your Stories. Let’s break it down:

  • Open Instagram: Start by opening the Instagram app and going to your profile.
  • Access Settings: Tap on the three lines (menu) in the top-right corner and select “Settings.”
  • Comments: You will see the section called “Comments” as you scroll down. Select that option. 
  • Who Can Comment: Select “Stories” under that section. You will have 3 options: Your Followers, Followers you follow back and Off. There you have it! 

These steps let you control your Story comments based on your needs. If you want to tweak it for a single Story, remember you can do it before posting by clicking the gear icon and adjusting the “Allow Message Replies” option specifically for that Story.

How to Delete Comments on Instagram Stories

Sometimes, you might want to remove a comment on your Instagram Story—whether it’s spam, trolling, or just something that doesn’t vibe with you. Here’s a quick guide on how to delete comments from your Story:

  • Open your Instagram and tap on your profile picture to view your Story.
  • At the bottom left, tap on Activity.
  • Find the comment you want to delete and tap on More Actions next to it.
  • Hit Delete Comment, and it’s gone!

How to Report a Comment on Instagram Stories

Instagram is all about Community Guidelines, and it’s no surprise that this new feature will also have a report option. Here’s how you can report a comment on a story:

  • Open the Story with the comment you want to report.
  • Tap any comment to open all comments.
  • Swipe left on the comment you want to report.
  • Tap Report and follow the prompts to complete the report.

Conclusion

Instagram’s new Story Comments feature opens up fresh ways to engage and interact with followers, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Whether you’re looking to encourage more interaction or maintain privacy, knowing how to turn comments on or off gives you control. Effective management using filters and other tools can boost positive engagement while minimizing spam and negativity. So, make the most of these settings to create a vibrant, engaging community on your Instagram Stories that aligns with your personal or business goals.

Picture of Emma Caune
Emma Caune

I kicked off my blogging journey back in my university days as a marketing student and totally fell in love with writing. Now, I’m freelancing for several websites, including RedSocial. If you ever want to chat, give feedback, or collaborate, don’t hesitate to reach out!