You can delete your own comment in seconds, but Instagram keeps a record you posted it
To delete a comment you wrote on Instagram, open the post, find your comment, tap and hold it (or right-click on desktop), and select Delete. The comment disappears from public view when ready. However, Instagram's servers retain data about the comment for their own records — the person who posted the photo will not see it anymore, but Instagram knows it existed.
This matters because deleting a comment is not the same as erasing it from existence. If you wrote something you regret, deletion removes it from sight but not from Instagram's systems. If you are concerned about what you have posted over time, periodic deletion is a practical step, but it is not a privacy may provide.
Key Takeaways
- Tap and hold your comment, then select Delete to remove it from the post within seconds.
- Deleted comments disappear from the photo or video, but Instagram retains internal records of the comment.
- The post owner will not be notified that you deleted your comment, and they will not see it in their notifications.
- You can only delete comments you wrote yourself — you cannot delete other people's comments on your own posts through the same method.
- If you want to remove someone else's comment from your post, you must use the moderation tools on your own content.
Step-by-step: deleting your comment on mobile
Open the Instagram app and navigate to the post where you left the comment. Scroll down to find your comment in the comments section. Press and hold your comment with your finger until a menu appears with options including Delete.
Tap Delete. The comment will vanish from the post when ready. You will return to the comments section, and your comment will no longer be visible to anyone viewing that post. The action takes effect right away — there is no confirmation step or undo window.
Step-by-step: deleting your comment on desktop
Go to instagram.com in your browser and find the post. Scroll to the comments section. Locate your comment and hover your mouse over it. A small menu icon (three dots) will appear on the right side of your comment.
Click the three dots and select Delete from the dropdown menu. Your comment will be removed from the post when ready. Like the mobile version, this happens without a confirmation prompt.
What happens after you delete a comment
Once deleted, your comment is no longer visible on the post. Anyone viewing the photo or video will not see it. The post owner will not receive a notification that you deleted it. If someone had already liked your comment or replied to it, those interactions disappear along with the comment itself.
The comment count on the post decreases by one. If the post showed "47 comments," it will now show "46 comments." This change is visible to everyone, so if someone was looking at the post when you deleted your comment, they may notice the count drop.
Deleting comments on your own posts
If you want to remove someone else's comment from a photo or video you posted, the process is different. Open your post, find the comment you want to remove, tap and hold it (or right-click on desktop), and select Delete. You have full control over comments on your own content.
You can also use Instagram's comment filters and moderation tools to automatically hide comments containing certain words or from specific accounts. These tools live in your Settings under Comments. You can restrict accounts, mute specific words, or turn off comments entirely on individual posts.
Why you might want to delete your comments
People delete comments for different reasons. You might have written something you now disagree with, made a typo, or shared information you prefer not to be associated with. You might have commented on a post from someone you no longer follow or want to distance yourself from. Deleting the comment removes it from public view and from your own comment history on that post.
Keep in mind that if someone took a screenshot of your comment before you deleted it, that screenshot still exists. Deletion only removes the comment from Instagram itself, not from copies people may have saved. If your comment was controversial or received replies, those replies may still reference what you wrote even after you delete it.
What Instagram keeps when you delete a comment
Instagram's privacy policy states that the company retains data about user activity, including deleted content, for security, legal, and operational purposes. This means Instagram's internal systems have a record that you posted the comment, when you posted it, and when you deleted it — even though the public cannot see it anymore.
This data is not visible to other users or to you through the app. It exists in Instagram's backend systems. Instagram may use this information to detect spam patterns, enforce community guidelines, or respond to legal requests. If you are concerned about your overall digital footprint, deleting individual comments is one step, but it does not erase your activity from Instagram's records entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a comment instead of deleting it?
No. Instagram does not have an edit feature for comments. If you want to change what you wrote, you must delete the original comment and post a new one. This means the old comment disappears and a new one appears in its place, which may change the order of comments on the post.
Will the person who posted the photo know I deleted my comment?
No. Instagram does not send notifications when you delete your own comments. The post owner will see that the comment count decreased, but they will not receive an alert telling them you deleted it. If they were actively reading the comments, they might notice your comment is gone, but there is no formal notification.
What if I delete a comment and then want to say something again?
You can post a new comment anytime. There is no penalty or waiting period for deleting and reposting. Your new comment will appear as a fresh comment with the current timestamp, so it may appear in a different position in the comments section depending on how Instagram sorts them.
Can I delete comments I made years ago?
Yes. You can delete any comment you wrote at any time, no matter how old it is. Open the post, find your comment, and delete it using the same process. Instagram does not limit deletion to recent comments. However, finding old comments may take time if you have posted many comments over the years.
If I delete my Instagram account, do my comments disappear?
When you delete your Instagram account, your comments are removed from public view. However, Instagram retains data about your account activity in its systems for a period of time. The exact retention period varies, but Instagram keeps records for legal and security reasons even after account deletion.