15+ Ways to Handle Negative Comments on Social Media

“You’re UGLY as he🏑🏑. Get off the platform, you have wrinkles. Can you 💀 already.”

I think those are the worst comments I’ve gotten on Instagram so far, besides all the unnecessary radical political opinions and annoying bot comments.

🚨Not so fun fact: ALL OF US experience negativity and hate as soon as we decide to expose ourselves to the world, share our authentic selves, our art, our mission, goals, opinions, show up, and grow our accounts. Especially when going viral... and it’s even worse on TikTok.

🚨Popularity attracts jealousy.

Some people really don’t have anything better to do apparently. Leave that negativity for "X"... aka Twitter. ✌🏻 See ya later, haters...

Let's get into it. Handling negative comments on social media platforms as a business or brand can be challenging, but it's an opportunity to showcase your professionalism and commitment to open dialogue.

Here's what to do... or NOT to do...

10 Tips to Approach Negative Comments

1. Stay Calm and Objective 🧘🏻‍♀️ Avoid responding impulsively or emotionally.

Take a deep breath and assess the comment objectively. Responding with a clear mind will help you address the issue constructively.

2. Understand the Concern 🤔 Carefully read the negative comment and try to understand the underlying concern.

Is it related to a specific aspect of your post or a broader topic? This will help you provide a more targeted and relevant response.

3. Respond Promptly ⏰ Timely responses show that you value your audience's feedback and are committed to addressing their concerns.

Avoid ignoring negative comments or leaving them unanswered, as this may lead to further frustration.

4. Show Empathy 💜 Acknowledge the commenter's perspective and demonstrate empathy.

Let them know that their feedback is important to you and that you understand their concerns. This helps to establish a respectful and open dialogue.

5. Provide a Thoughtful Response 💭 Craft a well-thought-out response that directly addresses the concern raised.

Provide relevant information, clarify any misunderstandings, or offer a solution if applicable. Focus on the facts and maintain a professional tone throughout your response.

6. Encourage Constructive Discussion 👍🏻 Invite the commenter to further discuss their concerns or provide additional information if needed.

Encouraging an open dialogue demonstrates your willingness to engage and find a resolution.

7. Take it Offline (if necessary) 📩 If the issue requires more in-depth discussion or resolution, offer to continue the conversation privately through direct messaging or email.

This helps to address the matter outside the public eye and ensures a more personalized approach.

8. Monitor and Moderate 👀 Keep an eye on the thread and subsequent comments to ensure the conversation remains respectful.

If the discussion veers off-topic or becomes heated, gently redirect it or intervene if necessary. Maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.

9. Learn from Feedback ✍🏻 Negative comments can sometimes provide valuable insights for improvement.

Reflect on the feedback received and use it as an opportunity to refine your future content or address any valid concerns raised.

10. Focus on the Positive ☀️ Remember that negative comments are just a fraction of the overall feedback you receive.

Don't let them overshadow the positive engagement and support you receive. Stay focused on fostering a positive and constructive online community.

By approaching negative comments with professionalism, empathy, and a willingness to address concerns, you can turn potentially challenging situations into opportunities for growth and engagement for your business.

Luckily, Instagram gives us a couple options to handle negativity and hate within the app and you should absolutely utilize them. Here's how...

5 In-app Ways to Handle Negative Comments on Instagram

1. Hidden Words Automatically hides comments containing specific words, phrases, or emojis.

How to: Go to "Settings and privacy" > "Hidden words" > "Manage custom words and phrases," and add the terms you want to filter out.

2. Hide Comments Hides specific comments that don't contribute positively.

Tap and hold the comment you want to hide, then select "Hide Comment."

3. Turn Off Comments Disables comments on specific posts, preventing any potential negativity.

Before posting, go to "Advanced Settings" and toggle off "Allow Comments."

For existing posts, tap the three dots on the post and select "Turn Off Commenting."

4. Restrict Accounts Limits the interaction of certain account by making their comments visible.

Go to the user's profile, tap the three dots, and select "Restrict." You can also restrict from within a comment by swiping left on it or tap and hold and tapping the exclamation mark.

5. Block Accounts Removes negative comments and prevents the user from interacting with your content in the future.

Go to the user's profile, tap the three dots, and select "Block." You can also block from within a comment by swiping left on it or tap and hold and selecting "Block."

Learn more here.

Don't know how to approach Threads!?

Well first, read our blog post on How to Use Threads as a Business or Brand.

AND We’ve got 100+ Threads post ideas for you! 👉🏼

We've also created fully customizable Threads Canva templates to repurpose your Threads on other platforms. This one includes the Threads app explained and even a posting strategy for your business.

See ALL of our newest social media tools to use here on Etsy!

✨ If you have any Threads questions or need advice on how to handle a negative comment properly, let's chat below or find me on Threads!

---

written by Terra Werner and Daniela Schrittenlocher @ELAS Marketing Services LLC

Follow @elasmarketingservices for daily tips, facts and honest social media & marketing talk on Instagram.

Email us at hello@elasmarketingservices.com with questions or topic requests.