To manage comments in WordPress, click Comments on your dashboard. You can approve, reply to, edit, mark as spam or trash each one. To change the rules for new comments, go to Settings > Discussion.
Why comments need regular care
Spam and new comments collect on any blog that allows them. Checking and approving comments is a quick task in your regular website maintenance.
Check new comments once a week. That keeps spam off your WordPress website and shows real readers that you reply.
Moderate your comments
These steps show you how to approve and answer a comment.
Open Comments
Click Comments on your dashboard. The number beside it shows how many comments are waiting, new and pending.
Filter the list
The page shows all comments. Click the Pending link just above the list to see only those waiting for approval.
Approve a comment
Hover over the comment and click the Approve link below it. Hover again and click Unapprove if you change your mind.
Reply
Hover over the comment, click Reply, type your answer and click Reply in the lower right-hand corner.
Mark as spam or trash
Hover over the comment and click Spam or Trash. Use Spam for junk so WordPress learns what to catch.
Edit, restore or delete a comment
Click Edit to change any part of a comment, such as the text, the email address, the author name or the status. Then click Update on the right side of the screen.
A comment in the trash is not gone yet. Click the Trash link above the list, hover over the comment and click Restore.
To remove it for good, follow the same steps and click Delete Permanently instead.
Change your comment settings
Go to Settings > Discussion in your dashboard. Here you set the rules for every new comment.
A safe choice is to require that you approve a comment before it appears. You can also ask commenters to enter a name and email address.
If you get many spam comments, you can close comments on older posts. Test your changes by leaving a comment yourself while logged out.
Good habits for comment moderation
Reply to real comments within a day or two if you can. A quick answer shows readers that a real person runs your site.
Never approve a comment that links to a site you do not know. Spam comments often use a kind word and a hidden link.
If a comment is rude but real, you can reply politely or trash it. It is your site, and you set the tone.
Check the Spam link now and then as well. Rarely, a real comment lands there. Hover over it and click Not Spam to bring it back.
Turn comments off on a page
Not every page needs comments. A contact page or a price page works better without them.
Open the page, find the Discussion box and uncheck Allow comments. If you do not see the box, click Screen Options at the top and tick Discussion.
Get a hand with your site
If spam keeps coming back, tell us. We can add protection for your site. If you want help with your WordPress site, call Websnoogie in Omaha at 402-813-4034 any day from 7 am to 10 pm.
Common questions
Can I get a deleted WordPress comment back?
Yes, if it is still in the trash. Click the Trash link above the comments, hover over it and click Restore.
Where do I change comment settings in WordPress?
Go to Settings > Discussion on your dashboard. That page controls how new comments are handled.
AboutRod and Tami Atwood
Rod and Tami Atwood and other Websnoogie contributors write the Websnoogie blog. Rod has built websites since 2004 and founded Websnoogie, LLC in Omaha in 2012. Tami is co-owner, content editor and billing expert. Call us at 402-813-4034 or write to staff@websnoogie.com.
