Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom today announced that the company is "taking the next step" to protect its users from online abuse with the wide launch of a new comment moderation feature in the photography-focused social network app. Referred to as a "keyword moderation tool," the feature will let each user type in words they find to be offensive, effectively hiding any mention of them in the comment section of their posts.

The comments containing the harsh language will still be available for other Instagram users, but the company believes that allowing each user to determine which words to hide from their personal collection of photos will cultivate a "positive and safe" environment. To deal with abusive accounts, Instagram already lets users swipe to delete comments, report inappropriate comments and block accounts.

instagram-comments
Systrom refers to the keyword blocking update as the "first feature" for dealing with online abusers, suggesting Instagram is continuing to keep an eye on the issue and add more protective updates to its mobile app in the future. Once the app is updated, gain access to the comment moderation setting by following the steps below:

  1. Go to your Profile tab.
  2. Tap the Settings gear icon in the top right corner.
  3. Find and tap "Comments."
  4. Toggle "Hide Inappropriate Comments" to automatically hide keywords that are "often reported as inappropriate."
  5. Or, add your own custom keywords in the text box, separating each with a comma.
  6. Tap "Done" to save your changes.

After previously allowing high-profile users, like businesses and various brands, to have access to the new feature, Instagram said that today marks its wide rollout to every user. Those who have yet to download the app can find Instagram for free on the iOS App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

Alonso Quijano Avatar
114 months ago
Four comments in and this thread is already a mess. So much negativity can't be healthy guys :) I don't know about you but I'd rather not see nasty things on my social media :)
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
114 months ago
This is just absurd
I politely disagree. It's no more different than avoiding PRSI threads on MR.

If you're barraged with foul language and nasty comments every time you check an application, directly or indirectly, it kinda has a habit of grinding you down, y'know? Consciously choosing to surround yourself in positivity, rather than nihilistic pessimism, doesn't mean you're an easy-to-offend special snowflake.
[doublepost=1473699311][/doublepost]
No we just dont want to be controlled by the commies sensoring us.
That's why it's a choice. An option. It's not mandatory and you can opt in or out as you prefer.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AgentAnonymous Avatar
114 months ago
Laughable.
The only thing laughable is all of the reactionaries in this thread making mean-spirited jokes and acting like this is a "bad" thing.

Ironically people with that attitude are the same kind of people who usually engage in said harassment. Funny how that works
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MecPro Avatar
114 months ago
I can't believe some people are here saying this is too PC/draconian, etc

If you see some of the racial and sexist abuse that is occurring on social media, you'll fully understand where they are coming from with this feature

Well done Instagram
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lunarworks Avatar
114 months ago
This is just absurd
Laughable.
These poor precious snowflakes :(
Im offended
I hear if you hang up garlic in your basement the SJWs can't get you.

Grow up, guys. Maybe you don't get treated like **** on the internet, but lots of people do.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lunarworks Avatar
114 months ago
This country is really sick.
Yes, it's amazing the kind of awful things people will say to people they don't even know.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

WWDC25 Live Coverage Feature 1

WWDC 2025 Apple Event Live Keynote Coverage: iOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and More

Monday June 9, 2025 9:00 am PDT by
Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) starts today with the traditional keynote kicking things off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. MacRumors is on hand for the event and we'll be sharing details and our thoughts throughout the day. We're expecting to see a number of software-related announcements led by a design revamp across Apple's platforms that will also see the numbering of all of...
maxresdefault

Everything Apple Announced at WWDC 2025 in 10 Minutes

Monday June 9, 2025 5:21 pm PDT by
At today's WWDC 2025 keynote event, Apple unveiled a new design that will inform the next decade of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS development, so needless to say, it was a busy day. Apple also unveiled a ton of new features for the iPhone, an overhauled Spotlight interface for the Mac, and a ton of updates that make the iPad more like a Mac than ever before. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
liquid glass

Apple Announces All-New 'Liquid Glass' Software Redesign Across iOS 26 and More

Monday June 9, 2025 10:13 am PDT by
Apple today announced a complete redesign of all of its major software platforms called "Liquid Glass." Announced simultaneously for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and CarPlay, Liquid Glass forms a new universal design language for the first time. At its WWDC 2025 keynote address, Apple's software chief Craig Federighi said "Apple Silicon has become dramatically more powerful...
iPadOS 26 Apple Newsroom

Apple Says iPadOS 26 is Compatible With These iPad Models

Monday June 9, 2025 11:22 am PDT by
Apple today announced that iPadOS 26 will be compatible with the iPad models listed below. iPadOS 26 features a new Liquid Glass design, a menu bar, improved app windowing, and more. iPadOS 26 supports the following iPad models:iPad Pro (M4) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later) iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later) iPad Air (M2 and later) iPad Air (3rd generation and...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Says These 13 Vehicle Brands Will Soon Offer iPhone Car Keys

Monday June 9, 2025 2:38 pm PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote today, Apple said that 13...
Apple WWDC25 iOS 26 hero 250609

Apple Announces iOS 26 With 'Liquid Glass' Design, Live Translation, Overhauled Phone App, and More

Monday June 9, 2025 11:00 am PDT by
Apple at WWDC announced iOS 26, introducing a comprehensive visual redesign built around its new "Liquid Glass" concept, alongside expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, updates to core communication apps, and more. Liquid Glass is a translucent material that reflects and refracts surroundings to create dynamic, responsive interface elements, according to Apple. The new design language...