You’ve probably been there. You spend five minutes typing out a thoughtful, witty, or helpful response to a video, hit "Comment," and then... nothing. No likes. No replies. Maybe you even check the video from an incognito window only to realize your masterpiece isn't even visible to other people. It’s frustrating. Learning how to comment on YouTube isn't just about clicking a text box and hitting enter anymore; it’s about navigating a gauntlet of automated filters, creator settings, and a weirdly specific social etiquette that has evolved over the last decade.
Honestly, the "wild west" days of the 2010s are over. Google has integrated sophisticated AI—ironically enough—to scrub the platform of spam, which means your perfectly legitimate comment might get caught in the crossfire if you aren't careful.
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The basic mechanics of how to comment on YouTube
If you're brand new, let’s get the technical stuff out of the way. It’s simple, but there are a few snags. On a desktop, you scroll past the video description and the comments section loads right there. On the mobile app, it’s a bit different. You usually see a dedicated "Comments" teaser block below the video; you have to tap that to expand the full list and see the "Add a comment" field.
You need a channel to comment. You don't have to upload videos, but YouTube requires you to have a "handle"—that @username thing they rolled out a while back—to interact. If you haven't set one up, it’ll prompt you the first time you try to speak up.
Why your comments might be invisible
This is the big one. YouTube uses something called "Held for Review." Creators can set their own filters. If you use a "bad" word—or even something the creator just personally dislikes—your comment goes into a private folder only they can see. If they never check it, your comment stays in limbo forever.
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Links are almost always a death sentence for a comment. If you drop a URL, 99% of the time, it gets flagged as spam immediately. Don't do it. If you absolutely have to reference something, tell people what to search for instead of linking it.
Mastering the art of the "Top Comment"
Ever wonder why some people always end up at the top of the pile with 2,000 likes? It’s not just luck. It’s timing and value. To get a top comment, you generally need to be there within the first hour of a video going live. This is why "notifications on" is such a thing for hardcore fans.
But being first isn't enough. Saying "First!" is a great way to get muted by a creator. Instead, people look for:
- Timestamps: Helping others find the "good part." For example, "10:42 - This is where he finally explains the recipe."
- Contextual jokes: Referencing a running gag from the creator’s past videos.
- Fact-checking: If a tech reviewer gets a spec wrong, a polite correction often gets pinned or upvoted to the top.
How to comment on YouTube using advanced formatting
You can actually make your text stand out by using basic code. It’s a little-known trick that makes your comment look way more professional (or just louder).
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- Bold: Put asterisks around your words, like
*this*. - Italics: Use underscores, like
_this_. - -Strikethrough-: Use hyphens, like
-this-.
Mixing these can help if you're writing a long-form review or a detailed guide in the comments. Just don't overdo the bolding. It looks like you're screaming, and most people will just scroll past.
Handling the "Shadowban"
YouTube doesn't officially call it a shadowban, but it exists. If you comment too fast on too many videos, the system flags you as a bot. Suddenly, everything you write is hidden from everyone but you. To avoid this, don't copy-paste the same message across twenty different channels. Vary your language. Actually watch the video. The algorithm can tell if you've only watched 3 seconds of a 20-minute video before leaving a 500-word "critique."
The Etiquette: How not to be "That Person"
YouTube is a community. Creators are real people, and they have feelings, even if they have 10 million subscribers. If you want to know how to comment on YouTube in a way that actually builds connections, follow the 80/20 rule: 80% of your comments should be positive or constructive, and only 20% should be "asks" or criticisms.
Avoid "Sub4Sub." It’s 2026; nobody does that anymore, and it’s a violation of YouTube’s Terms of Service. It’ll get your account flagged faster than you can say "like and subscribe."
Dealing with Trolls
If you comment on a controversial topic, someone is going to disagree with you. They might be mean about it. You have two choices: ignore them or report them. Don't engage in a 50-reply deep thread argument. It rarely ends well, and it might get your own account flagged if the language gets heated.
Actionable Steps for better engagement
- Check your settings: Make sure your YouTube handle is professional or at least recognizable if you want to build a "brand" in a specific niche (like the gaming or tech community).
- Use Timestamps: If you're watching a long tutorial, leave a comment with chapters. Creators LOVE this and will often "Heart" or "Pin" your comment, which keeps it at the very top of the section forever.
- Engage with others: Don't just leave a top-level comment. Reply to other people. It builds a sense of community and makes the algorithm see you as a "high-value" user rather than a drive-by commenter.
- Avoid the "Spam" Triggers: Never use all caps, stay away from multiple emojis in a row, and keep your links to yourself.
- Verify visibility: If you think you're being silenced, log out or use a different browser to see if your comment actually shows up. If it doesn't, you might need to tone down your language or stop using certain trigger words.
Comments are the lifeblood of YouTube. They tell the creator what’s working and what isn't. When you do it right, you aren't just a viewer—you're part of the show.