Let’s be honest, managing a Facebook page can sometimes feel like hosting a party where a few uninvited guests keep trying to ruin the vibe.
The internet has some pure trolls out there, who simply spend time putting negative comments out into the world, but you can spare your Facebook page – and we will show you how! Read on dear reader!
Why filter comments?
If you can’t always manage the comment section and have a very active community, then filtering the comment section can help keep the conversations constructive. You save your sanity aaaand maintain the vibe.
If you struggle with comments that lean toward the unkind (pick an ism) – and we’ve seen them all, you can pick a selection of the most common slurs and profanities that keep cropping up and keep those comments hidden – without the poster even knowing.
Hidden comments mean that the person making them (and their network) sees the comment, but the wider public doesn’t.
And don’t worry if a good comment gets hidden – even with a filtered word, you can unhide any hidden comment, at any time. It’s a win-win that leaves cruel commenters from crying out “censorship” when they realise you’ve put them on mute.
Don’t tell your angry FB uncle that this exists, please. Think of your local Social Media Manager.
How to filter specific words from the comment section – a step-by-step!
1. Navigate to Settings: Click your Page photo in the top right again, then select Settings and privacy > Settings.
2. Public Content: In the left-hand menu, click Followers and public content.
3. Find the Filter: Scroll until you see Hide comments containing certain words from your Page.
4. From here, you can add up to one thousand words, phrases and even emojis that you want hidden from your comment section. You can even upload a CSV doc if you have a big ol’ list ready to go.
Review & Refine
Before you hit save, take a quick squiz at your list.
If you’ve included variations, click Show variations to see what else Facebook is filtering out for you (these will appear in grey). You can remove individual words by clicking the [x] next to them, or clear the deck entirely by clicking Delete all.
Once you’re happy, click Save.
Remember, if a genuine comment accidentally gets caught in the crossfire, don’t panic. You can always unhide it by going to the specific comment and clicking Unhide. So no stress.
Pause to think…
While it’s tempting to filter out every single negative word, remember that social SEO, and social engagement are about being human.
Sometimes, a genuine customer concern is an opportunity for you to show off your top-tier customer service, or lay down the truth where necessary. If people truly have the same complaints, there may be some work needing to be done within your business. Don’t actually fall into censorship.
Need a bit of help? Call the Empire.
Whether it’s community management, paid social strategy, or just making sense of the data, slide into our DMs or get in touch.
We’re all about helping you dominate your corner of the internet.
