How to Pin a Comment on YouTube (Computer and Studio App)

A pinned comment is the one place on your video where you decide what viewers read first. For a small business channel, that's a good spot for a question to start a conversation, a pointer to a related video or a quick correction. It takes a few taps once you know where the option sits, and a couple of conditions catch people out. Here's what YouTube's help centre says for computers and for the YouTube Studio app.

How to pin a comment on YouTube from a computer

According to YouTube's help centre, you do this from the comments under your own video:

1. Sign in to YouTube with the account that owns the channel.
2. Open your video and scroll to the comments.
3. Select the comment you want to pin. It can be your own comment or one from a viewer.
4. Click the More icon, then choose Pin.
5. Click PIN to confirm.

Menus vary by app version and by browser, so if the icon looks different, look for the three dots beside the comment. If you don't see Pin, read the next section.

How to pin a comment on YouTube in the Studio app

On a phone, YouTube's help points creators to the YouTube Studio app rather than the main YouTube app. The help article for that app gives these steps:

1. Open the YouTube Studio app and tap Community in the bottom menu.
2. Open the comments for the specific video you want to pin under.
3. Tap the comment you want to highlight, then tap the More icon and choose Pin.

The pinned comment then appears at the top of that video's watch page. Pinning only works when you're viewing the comments for one single video, so if you're looking at a mixed list of comments across your channel, open the specific video first.

Why you can't see the pin option on YouTube

The help article says you need to allow access to advanced features on your channel, and that those features may take up to 24 hours to show up after you turn them on. If you've only just switched them on, give it time. Other things to check, in order:

• Make sure you're signed in to the account that owns the channel, not a personal account.
• Check you're on your own video, because you can't pin comments on someone else's video.
• Open the comments for one video rather than a channel-wide list.
• Update the app and try again, or use a computer.

The last three are common-sense checks rather than steps quoted from YouTube, but they cover the usual causes. If you still can't see the option after a day, YouTube's help centre is the place to ask.

What viewers see when you pin a comment on YouTube

According to the help pages, on a computer viewers see the pinned comment at the top of the watch page with a Pinned by icon and your channel name. On mobile, they need to tap the comment section to expand it before they can read it. That second detail matters. A pinned comment on a phone isn't as prominent as it's on a computer, so don't rely on it for anything urgent.

The help pages don't say whether the person who wrote the comment is told when you pin it, so I won't promise either way.

Pinning a different comment on YouTube replaces the old one

You can only keep one pinned comment on a video at a time. YouTube's help says that if you've already pinned a comment, pinning a new one replaces it. The previous comment goes back to its normal position. That's handy if you want to rotate what viewers see, for instance swapping a launch note for a reply to a good question.

How to unpin a comment on YouTube

The computer help page says you can unpin a comment at any time and it returns to its original position. The Studio app steps are simple:

1. Find the pinned comment in the Community section for that video.
2. Tap the More icon next to it.
3. Tap Unpin.

In YouTube Studio on a computer, the help says to select More next to the comment and then choose Unpin.

What to pin on a business YouTube channel

Pinning works best when it does one job. A few ideas that suit small business owners and creators:

• A question that invites replies, such as asking viewers what they'd like covered next.
• A short note that points to a related video, so people keep watching.
• A clarification if something in the video needs adding, such as a correction or an extra tip.
• A reply from you to a thoughtful viewer comment, which shows others you read what they say.

Keep it short, friendly and relevant. If a thread turns nasty, you may prefer to hide or block the person, and my guide on unblocking someone on YouTube explains how blocking and hiding differ.

Where pinned comments fit in your YouTube channel

Pinning happens in YouTube Studio, and my explainer on whether YouTube Studio has a desktop app shows where to find it on a computer and on your phone. If you're curious how much creators can learn about their audience, I've written about whether YouTube creators can see who watched their videos.

Pinning is a small habit that makes your comments feel looked after. Try it on your next upload: pin a question, then check back and reply to what comes in.

Frequently asked questions

How do I pin a comment on YouTube?

On a computer, open your video, select the comment, click the More icon, choose Pin, then click PIN to confirm. In the YouTube Studio app, go to Community, open the video's comments, tap the comment, then More, then Pin.

Can I pin someone else's comment on YouTube?

Yes, on your own video. YouTube's help says you can pin your own comment or a viewer's comment.

Can you pin more than one comment on YouTube?

No. YouTube's help says pinning a new comment replaces the one you've already pinned.

Why is there no Pin option on my YouTube video?

YouTube's help says you need advanced features enabled on your channel, which may take up to 24 hours to appear. Also check you're signed in to the channel account and viewing one video's comments.

How do I unpin a comment on YouTube?

Select More next to the pinned comment and choose Unpin. The comment returns to its original position.