Why Can’t I Pin Comments on TikTok | High Social

Profile photo ofCarolyn Howell, author

Carolyn Howell

Last Updated: May 30, 2024

TikTok 101
Want More Real TikTok Followers?

On TikTok, creators have many options to curate their audience’s viewing experience. Because the comments section is everybody’s primary mode of user-to-user interaction, TikTok provides automated and customized moderation tools for comment management. The pin comment feature was among the most popular comment management tools. But creators have been asking, “Why can’t I pin comments on TikTok?”

Can You Still Pin Comments on TikTok?

Can you still pin comments on TikTok? Unfortunately, the TikTok pin comments feature was removed in August 2023. The platform did not make an official announcement before and after they removed the popular feature. As a result, the unexpected move left countless users confused and scrambling for answers. 

The comments on TikTok posts appear chronologically, with the most recent comments appearing at the top. The pin comments feature allowed content creators to select a noteworthy comment and pin it on top. 

The pinned comment remained fixed at the top of all comments, so viewers always saw it first. Only the video creator could pin and unpin comments.

Creators typically pinned the following types of comments:

The pinned comment remained on top until the creator decided to unpin it. 

Why Did TikTok Remove Pinned Comments?

Why did TikTok remove pinned comments? Why can’t you pin comments on TikTok anymore? TikTok removed users’ ability to pin comments in mid-2023. The platform offered no notifications or explanations as to why. The most likely reasons are as follows:

  • Removing the pin feature streamlines the user experience as it allows for more organic interactions. 
  • TikTok wants to encourage users to focus on real-time interactions to facilitate better community building
  • TikTok wants to halt some creators’ misuse/abuse of the feature, i.e., when they use it for excessive self-promotion or to suppress other’s voices.
  • A natural flow of conversation makes it easier for viewers to access the latest and most relevant comments. 
  • TikTok may introduce a new comment feature in the near future to replace the pin feature.

Why Can’t I Pin Comments on TikTok? Other Ways To Manage TikTok Comments

One advantage of the pin comments feature was that it allowed the creator to highlight useful or positive comments. This means people who posted negative comments, spam, and the like cannot take over the comments section. 

Their comments become less prominent. Without the ability to pin comments, how can creators ensure positive and meaningful engagement?

Fortunately, TikTok offers other ways to manage TikTok comments. 

Select Who Can Comment on Your Posts

If you have a public account, you can select who can comment on all your posts. Obviously, allowing everyone to comment is ideal if you want to drive engagement

But limiting commenters to only your Friends (mutual followers) may be more appropriate for certain posts. 

To set a default group for all your feed and Story posts:

  1. Go to your Profile and tap the three-line icon in the top right. 
  2. Tap Settings and privacy
  3. Select Privacy
  4. Tap Comments, then tap Comments again.
  5. Select who can comment on your videos Stories: Everyone, Friends, or No one

You can also select who can comment on your post during post creation/editing:

  1. On the editing page, tap Settings
  2. Tap the toggle beside Allow comments to turn it off/on. 
  3. Alternatively, on the post page, tap More options and the toggle beside Allow comments to turn it off/on. 
  4. You can also change your post’s audience so only the selected audience can watch and comment on your video. You can do this on either the editing page or the post page. 

Take note that when you allow comments, the group you selected to comment on your posts via your privacy settings automatically applies. 

To turn commenting on or off for existing videos:

  1. Go to the video you want to update, then tap the three dots in the bottom right. 
  2. Scroll to the right, then tap Privacy
  3. Tap the toggle beside Allow comments to turn it off/on. 
  4. You can also change your post’s audience so only the selected audience can watch and comment on your video. 

Filter Comments

You have three filtering options for the comments section:

  1. You can filter all comments so that all comments will remain invisible until you approve them. You can keep certain comments invisible by not approving them. 
  2. You can filter selected comment types to exclude inappropriate or offensive content, profanity and curse words, ads, and spam
  3. You can filter keywords so that comments that include these keywords will remain hidden unless you approve them. 

To filter comments:

  1. Go to your Profile and tap the three-line icon in the top right. 
  2. Tap Settings and privacy
  3. Select Privacy
  4. Tap Comments

Delete Comments

Managing the comments section is a creator’s responsibility. How you manage your comments section determines your viewers’ overall experience and influences the quality and level of your engagement. 

If you allow everyone to comment on your post, you can simply delete comments that are inappropriate or irrelevant in any way. 

  1. Go to the video and tap the comments icon.
  2. Long-press on a comment, then tap Delete
  3. Alternatively, you can tap Manage multiple comments to delete or report comments or block accounts in bulk. 

Reply to Comments

Want to know how to maintain the continuous flow of conversation around your post? Reply to comments as soon as possible. The sooner you do so, the more likely the commenter will see it and post a reply. 

The busier your comments section is, the more new viewers you’ll reach, as TikTok recommends your post on more For You feeds

Liking comments is the simplest way for creators to acknowledge their actively engaged fans. If you don’t like a comment, it’s okay to tap the thumbs-down icon. It keeps your comments section interesting!

Keep Engagement Rates High With a Well Managed Comments Section

Why can’t I pin comments on TikTok? The ability to pin comments is no longer available. But there are plenty of other ways to let your fans know you appreciate their engagement. 

A simple like on their comments can make them feel seen and heard and keep them coming back. To guarantee viewer engagement, you must always reach genuinely interested audiences. 

Sign up for a High Social plan to get expert help connecting with your target audience. High Social’s advanced, proprietary AI solution instantly magnifies your targeting power. Start growing your TikTok today!

TikTok 101