You’ve probably seen them. Those weird, one-word "First" comments or the generic "Great video!" posts that feel like they were spat out by a malfunctioning script. It’s annoying. Most people think they know how to comment on YouTube videos, but they’re usually just shouting into a digital void where the creator never sees them and the algorithm treats them like spam.
Honestly, the comment section is the heartbeat of YouTube. It's where communities are built or where they go to die. If you’re just dropping a thumbs-up emoji and leaving, you’re missing the point of being there.
There is a weirdly specific science to getting a creator to actually heart your comment or, better yet, reply. It isn't just about typing words into a box. It’s about understanding the interface, the unspoken social etiquette, and how YouTube’s "Smart Reply" and "Highlight" systems actually function in the wild.
The Technical Side of How to Comment on YouTube Videos
Let’s start with the basics because, surprisingly, people still get stuck on the "where." If you’re on a desktop, you just scroll down. Simple. But on the mobile app, Google keeps moving the furniture. Currently, the comment section is tucked into a collapsible window right below the channel name and the "Subscribe" button. You tap that little preview area, and the whole world of text expands.
Once you're in, you see the "Add a comment" field.
Here is something most people ignore: formatting. You can actually use a bit of light code to make your text pop. If you want bold text, wrap your words in asterisks. Use underscores for italics and dashes for -strikethrough-. It’s a tiny trick, but when a creator is scanning 5,000 comments, a bolded keyword catches the eye.
Timestamps are your best friend
If you really want to know how to comment on YouTube videos in a way that provides value, use timestamps. Type something like 04:22 followed by your thought. YouTube automatically turns that into a clickable blue link. This is massive for creators. It tells them exactly what part of their twenty-minute video actually landed.
I’ve seen entire channels grow just because one person became the "Timestamp King" in the comments, helping other viewers find the best parts of a tutorial or a podcast. It’s a low-effort way to get a "Pinned" comment, which is the holy grail of visibility.
Why Your Comments Are Getting Shadowbanned
It happens. You write a thoughtful masterpiece, refresh the page, and it’s gone. Or it's there for you, but invisible to everyone else.
YouTube uses an automated system called "Held for Review." If you drop a link—even if it's a helpful one—the system usually nukes it immediately. Creators can also set up custom "blocked words" lists. If you’re using profanity or even certain controversial keywords that the creator has flagged to keep their channel brand-safe, your comment will never see the light of day.
Avoid being "spammy."
Don't copy and paste the same thing across ten different videos. Don't ask people to "check out my channel." That’s the fastest way to get your account flagged. The algorithm is incredibly sensitive to repetitive behavior. If you look like a bot, you get treated like one.
The Art of the Meaningful Response
Most people treat the comment section like a diary. It's not. It's a conversation.
If you’re watching a tech review by someone like Marques Brownlee or a deep dive from Mr. Bread, they aren't looking for "Nice video." They get millions of those. They are looking for "The way you explained the sensor crop at 12:05 actually cleared up why my footage has been looking grainy."
Specifics matter.
Dealing with the trolls
You’re going to run into them. The internet is a loud place. When you’re learning how to comment on YouTube videos, you also have to learn when to shut up. Engaging with a troll usually just boosts their comment higher in the "Top" sort filter because the algorithm sees "engagement" and thinks the thread is important.
If someone is being genuinely toxic, use the three-dot menu next to their comment. Report it. Don't reply. Replying is feeding the beast.
How the "Top" vs "Newest" Filter Changes Everything
By default, YouTube sorts by "Top Comments." This is a mix of likes, replies, and "relevance" (which is a fancy way of saying what the AI thinks people want to see).
If you’re a small creator trying to network, or just a fan who wants to be noticed, switch that filter to "Newest First." This is where the real-time conversation is happening. If you comment within the first sixty seconds of a video going live—often called the "Early Squad"—you have a much higher chance of the creator seeing it before they get overwhelmed.
Creators usually spend the first hour after a post-engagement window responding to people. After that, they’re onto the next project.
📖 Related: The Eiffel Tower Emoji: Why You Can’t Find It and What to Use Instead
Practical Steps for High-Impact Commenting
To actually make an impact, you need a strategy. It sounds silly for a comment section, but if you're trying to build a brand or just support a favorite artist, it works.
- Be First, but Be Real: Don't just type "First." Mention something specific from the first thirty seconds of the video to prove you're actually watching.
- Ask a Question: Questions drive replies. Replies drive the algorithm. If you ask a legitimate, non-rhetorical question, other viewers will jump in.
- Use the Creator's Name: It sounds personal. "Hey [Name], loved the lighting in this one" feels a lot more human than a generic shout into the void.
- Keep it Concise: Long walls of text are usually skipped. If you have a lot to say, break it up with those formatting tricks we talked about.
Mastering the Community Tab
Don't forget that YouTube comments aren't just on videos anymore. The "Community" tab is a goldmine for engagement. Creators post polls, images, and text updates there. Because fewer people comment on these than on the actual videos, your voice is significantly louder there.
It's a different vibe—more casual, more like a Twitter feed. Treat it that way.
Actionable Insights for Better Engagement
If you want to master how to comment on YouTube videos, stop thinking about what you want to say and start thinking about what the community wants to read.
- Audit your own history. Go to your YouTube History page on a browser, click "Comments" on the right-hand side, and look at what you’ve been posting. If it looks like a wall of "cool" and "nice," you’re doing it wrong.
- Verify your identity. If you have a channel, make sure your profile picture is clear. People are more likely to engage with a face than a generic colorful letter icon.
- Use "Reply" to build threads. Instead of starting a new comment, find someone who asked a question you know the answer to. Helping others is the fastest way to get likes and visibility.
- Avoid the "Edit" trap. If you edit a comment too many times right after posting, YouTube’s spam filters sometimes get twitchy and hide the post. Try to get it right the first time.
- Check your notifications. If a creator hearts your comment, you’ll get a notification with a little red heart icon. That’s your signal that you’ve "made it" into the inner circle of that video’s community.
Mastering this isn't about gaming the system; it’s about being a person in a digital space that’s increasingly filled with noise. Give value, and you'll get it back. It's really that simple.