Instagram stands out as a premier platform for promoting your business. However, with its soaring popularity comes the inevitable challenge of dealing with spam. Dubious offers and inappropriate remarks appearing on your Instagram posts is definitely not a good look for your business, so how do you avoid it?
In this blog post, we’ll unpack how to identify spam comments on Instagram and provide step-by-step instructions for reducing spam on your posts using comment filtering. We also provide some bonus tips at the end. The best part is, it only takes a few minutes.
Read on to shield your account from pesky spammers!
How to Tell if an Instagram Comment is Spam
There are numerous indicators that an Instagram comment may be spam. Look for signs like irrelevant content or promotional offers unrelated to the post. Be wary of comments with suspicious URLs, generic phrases, repeated messages across posts, or those coming from accounts with strange usernames and sparse profiles.
Also, watch for comments that contain excessive emojis, that urge users to direct message (DM), or that push users to another account without context. Grammatical errors and requests for personal information are other red flags that might indicate spam. Some common spam comments look like:
- Promote it on @spamaccount
- Send pic on @spamaccount 🔥
- DM it on 👉@spamaccount
If you’re still unsure, do not message the account! Instead, tap through to their profile. You can usually tell they’re a spam account if they have few or no posts at all, follow an excessive number of accounts compared to their own lack of followers, or have inappropriate or unprofessional information in their bio.
Steps to Reduce Spam Comments
The easiest way to reduce spam comments on your Instagram posts is to use comment filtering. Comment filtering is a setting that allows you to filter out comments that contain offensive words or phrases. It enables you to create your own list of words or emojis that you don’t want appearing in comments on your posts.
Follow these steps to turn comment filtering on and create your custom list of red flag terms.
Step 1: Open Privacy Settings via your Instagram Profile
Tap the three bars in the top right corner of your Instagram profile, then ‘Settings and Privacy.’ Scroll down and click ‘Hidden Words.’
Step 2: Turn On Automatic Comment Filtering
Instagram can automatically hide comments and message requests that include words or phrases repeatedly reported as offensive. Activate these features by toggling on the ‘Hide Comments,’ ‘Advanced Comment Filtering,’ and ‘Hide Message Requests’ options.
Step 3: Add Custom Words and Phrases
Tap ‘Manage Custom Words and Phrases,’ then manually add words or phrases you want to block. We recommend including these as they commonly appear in spam comments:
- Promote
- DM it
- Send pic
Step 4: Voila!
All finished! Well done, you’ve now taken steps to reduce spam comments.
Other Ways to Reduce Spam Comments on Instagram
Stay Updated
Always make sure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version. Instagram often releases updates to combat new spamming tactics and to fix potential vulnerabilities.
Block & Report Spammers
If you notice certain accounts that frequently spam you or others, block and report them. Reporting helps Instagram definitively recognise and take action against spam accounts.
Avoid Engaging With Suspicious Accounts
Sometimes, interacting with a suspicious comment or profile can expose you to more spam. Instead of replying, it’s best to report, block, or delete.
That’s All, Folks
Navigating the world of Instagram requires vigilance against spam. By employing these strategies, you can ensure more friendly and genuine engagement on your posts. Remember, a cleaner Instagram experience not only benefits you but also fosters trust and authenticity among your audience. Stay proactive and keep spammers at bay!
If you found this article helpful, be sure to share it with your friends and followers so they can keep killing their own digital marketing! And, of course, reach out to our friendly team today if you’re ready to elevate your marketing.
Until next time,
The Digital Marketing Team at Springboard Digital.