Instagram recently introduced the ability to pin comments at the top of posts. This allows users to highlight specific comments and manage conversations around their content. As a social media manager with over 5 years of experience, here is my guide on how to effectively use Instagram’s pinned comments feature.
Table of Contents
What Are Pinned Comments on Instagram?
Pinned comments on Instagram refers to comments that are “stuck” at the top of the comments section of a post. When you pin a comment, it will always appear first regardless of when it was posted.
Some key things to know about Instagram pinned comments:
- You can pin up to 3 comments on each Instagram post
- Only comments left by other users can be pinned. You cannot pin your own comments
- Pinned comments have a small icon next to them indicating they are pinned
- Pinned comments can be unpinned at any time
Why Pin Comments on Instagram?
There are a few key reasons you may want to pin comments on your Instagram posts:
1. Highlight Positive Feedback
Pinning positive and engaging comments can set a positive tone for your overall comment section. It encourages others to leave similar comments.
2. Address FAQs
Pin comments that ask common questions about your post so that information is clearly visible to anyone visiting your post.
3. Promote Offers or Links
Strategically pin comments that share special offers, discounts or links you want to promote to your audience.
4. Manage Negative Comments
Bury negative comments under pinned comments so that positive feedback shows first. This can discourage further negative comments.
How to Pin an Instagram Comment
Pinning comments is easy to do right from the Instagram app. Here are step-by-step instructions:
On iPhone/iPad
- Tap the comment bubble icon under your post
- Tap “View All Comments”
- Swipe left on the comment you want to pin
- Tap the pushpin icon
- Confirm by tapping “Pin Comment”
On Android
- Tap the comment bubble icon under your post
- Tap “View All Comments”
- Press and hold the comment you want to pin
- Tap the pushpin icon at the top of your screen
- Confirm by tapping “Pin Comment”
You’ll see the word “Pinned” under comments that are pinned to the top.
Best Practices for Pinning Comments
Here are some best practices to keep in mind when pinning Instagram comments:
- Pin Thoughtfully: Don’t just pin any comment. Make sure pinned comments align with your brand image and the message of your post.
- Change It Up: Every so often, unpin old comments and pin new relevant ones to keep your comment section fresh.
- Monitor Comments: Check back frequently to pin newly added comments worth highlighting.
- Respect Guidelines: Don’t pin comments that violate Instagram’s community guidelines.
- Find a Balance: Have a mix of pinned comments from yourself and your followers.
Using Pinned Comments to Increase Engagement
Beyond just pinning any comment, you can be strategic with pinned comments to spur more engagement. Here are some ideas:
1. Ask a Question
Pin a comment that asks an interesting question related to your post. When people see an unanswered question pinned at the top, they will be more likely to respond.
2. Host a Giveaway
Pin a comment that announces the rules for an Instagram giveaway. Keeping giveaway info visible will lead to more entries.
Repost inspiring user-generated content related to your brand by pinning comments with relevant hashtags or tagging your brand.
4. Poll Your Audience
Pin a comment poll asking followers to vote between two options. This makes the poll hard to miss.
5. Announce Updates
Pin comments that share important brand updates, new products, sales or limited-time offers. Pinned comments ensure followers see your announcements.
Analyzing Your Pinned Content Performance
You can utilize Instagram analytics to see how well your pinned comments are performing. Check these key metrics:
- Total engagements on pinned comments vs regular comments
- Link clicks from pinned comments containing links
- Profile visits from users who engaged with pinned comments
- Follower growth when consistently pinning engaging comments
Compare these metrics over time to optimize your pinned comment strategy.
Tools to Manage Pinned Instagram Comments
Doing all this pinned comment management manually can be time-consuming. These tools can help:
- Hootsuite – Schedule and publish pinned comments right from your Hootsuite dashboard.
- Iconosquare – Provides an analysis of your best-performing pinned comments.
- Later – Visually plan and schedule pinned comments to keep your feed looking fresh.
The pinned comment feature is still relatively new on Instagram. As more users catch on, it will continue to evolve. For now, be creative and use pinned comments intentionally to connect with your audience on a deeper level.
Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!
