How to Filter Instagram Comments by Keyword

Keyword Filters are the fastest way to set up automated Instagram comment moderation. You define a word or phrase, choose an action, and InstaGrow monitors your posts via the Instagram Graph API and fires that action on every matching comment automatically.

How to Add a Keyword Filter

Go to Moderation → Keywords tab

Click Moderation in the left sidebar, then click the Keywords tab.

Enter the keyword or phrase

Type the keyword in the input field. Matching is case-insensitive and checks for the word anywhere in the comment text. Partial matches are supported — e.g., "spam" will match "this is spam" and "spammy comment".

Select the action

Choose what to do when a comment contains your keyword:

Hide — Hides the comment from others but not the author. Safest for uncertain content.
Delete — Permanently removes the comment. Use for blatant spam or abuse.
Auto Reply — Posts a public reply comment back. Requires you to write the reply text.
Send DM — Sends a private message to the commenter. Great for sales funnels. Requires reply text.

Write reply text (if applicable)

If you chose Auto Reply or Send DM, a text box appears. Write the reply message you want to send to the commenter.

Save the filter

Click Save. The filter is now active and applies to all new comments going forward.

Example Keyword Setups

Keyword	Action	Use case
follow for follow	Delete	Remove F4F spam immediately
price	Send DM	Auto-send pricing info to interested buyers
how to buy	Auto Reply	Reply publicly with a link
hate	Hide	Suppress hate speech without deleting
interested	Send DM	Funnel interested followers to your DMs

Editing & Deleting Filters

All active keyword filters are listed below the "Add filter" form.
Click Edit next to any filter to update the keyword, action, or reply text.
Click the trash icon to permanently delete a filter.
Toggle the is active switch to temporarily pause a filter without deleting it.

💡 Tip: Don't add too many broad keywords (e.g., "buy") or you may accidentally trigger on genuine comments. Start with clear spam phrases and expand gradually based on what you see in comments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does InstaGrow's keyword filter work on partial word matches in Instagram comments?

Yes. Keyword matching is case-insensitive and checks for the word anywhere in the comment text. Partial matches are supported — for example, the keyword 'spam' will match 'this is spam' and 'spammy comment'.

Can I temporarily pause a keyword filter without deleting it?

Yes. Toggle the 'is active' switch next to any keyword filter to temporarily pause it without deleting it. You can reactivate the filter at any time from the Keywords tab.

What actions can I trigger with an Instagram comment keyword filter?

You can trigger four actions: Hide (removes the comment from public view without deleting it), Delete (permanently removes the comment), Auto Reply (posts a public comment reply with your text), or Send DM (sends a private message to the commenter).

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