- Steps to reply to a comment on a computer
- Reply to a comment on the YouTube app
- Why there's no Reply button
- Who can see your reply
- The thing nobody mentions: commenting creates a channel
- Replying to someone inside a thread
- Make your reply easier to read
- For creators: replying well
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To reply to a comment on YouTube, click or tap Reply under the comment, type your message and select Reply again. Your answer is threaded under the original comment, and on a public video anyone can see it. If you don't have a channel yet, YouTube creates one automatically when you post.
Replying to a YouTube comment is one tap, but a few things around it surprise people: why the Reply button isn't there, who can see what you write, and the fact that your first comment quietly creates a YouTube channel in your name. Here's how to reply on a computer and phone, and how creators can make replies work harder.
Steps to reply to a comment on a computer
- Scroll to the comments under the video.
- Click Reply beneath the comment you want to answer.
- Type your reply.
- Click Reply to post it.
Your reply sits in a thread under the original comment, so everyone can follow the conversation. The person you replied to normally gets a notification, depending on their settings.
Reply to a comment on the YouTube app
- Tap the comments section under the video to open it.
- Find the comment and tap the reply icon or Reply.
- Type your message and tap send.
Replies work the same way on Shorts, on songs and podcasts in YouTube Music, and on posts in a channel's Posts tab.
Why there's no Reply button
| Reason | What's going on |
|---|---|
| Comments are off | The video's owner has turned comments off |
| Subscribers and members only | The owner has limited who can comment |
| A minimum time subscribed | You haven't followed the channel long enough to comment |
| Private video | Comments aren't available on private videos |
| Signed out | You need to be signed in to comment or reply |
Who can see your reply
YouTube is clear on this: all comments on public videos are public, and anyone can reply to a comment you post. On unlisted videos, anyone with the link can see the comments. That matters if you're replying with personal details or a phone number. Treat a YouTube reply like a public post, because that's exactly what it is. If a viewer asks for help that needs private details, reply asking them to contact you through the email or form on your website instead, and never post their details back in the thread.
The thing nobody mentions: commenting creates a channel
YouTube says that if you don't have a channel and you post a comment, it automatically creates one for you. That's why some people discover they have a YouTube channel they never meant to start. The channel uses the name on your Google Account, and YouTube may give it a handle based on that name. You can manage it from your profile picture after posting.
Replying to someone inside a thread
In a busy thread, several people may be replying to the same comment, and it's easy for your answer to land in the wrong place. To make it clear who you're talking to, mention them by their handle. Handles start with @ and YouTube shows them in comments and mentions, so typing @ followed by their handle points your reply at the right person, even deep inside a long thread. It also helps them find your answer, because a mention usually triggers a notification.
If you want to reply to the whole thread rather than one person, reply to the original comment instead. Replies always stack under the top comment, so starting there keeps the conversation tidy.
Make your reply easier to read
- Wrap words in asterisks for bold, for example *this*.
- Use underscores for italics, for example _this_.
- Use hyphens for strikethrough, for example -this-.
- Paste a web address and it shows as a link.
You can edit or delete your own replies later from the three-dot menu next to them, so a typo isn't permanent. If your reply was wrong, fix it promptly, before other people respond to what you first wrote, and avoid changing the meaning of a reply once a conversation has built up under it.
For creators: replying well
Replies are one of the easiest ways to build a community around your videos. A few habits that help:
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- Reply early. The first hours after posting are when people are most active in the comments.
- Heart good comments as well as replying. YouTube shows the commenter your avatar with a small red heart and may notify them that you love their comment.
- Answer questions in full, so other viewers with the same question find the answer in the thread.
- Keep difficult conversations short and polite, and move anything private off YouTube.
If one viewer's question deserves to be seen by everyone, pin it rather than just replying: my guide to managing and deleting YouTube comments covers tidying a comment section, and if someone is causing trouble in your replies, see blocked and hidden users on YouTube.
My verdict
Hit Reply under the comment, type, and post. Before you do, remember two things: on a public video your reply is public, and if you've never had a YouTube channel, that first reply creates one. For creators, replying and hearting comments early is one of the simplest ways to grow a loyal audience.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reply to a comment on YouTube?
Click or tap Reply under the comment, type your message and select Reply again.
Why can't I reply to comments on a YouTube video?
The owner may have turned comments off, limited them to subscribers or members, or set a minimum time subscribed. Private videos don't allow comments.
Can everyone see my replies on YouTube?
On public videos, yes. All comments on public videos are public.
Does replying to a comment create a YouTube channel?
If you don't already have one, yes. YouTube automatically creates a channel when you post a comment.
Can I edit a reply on YouTube?
Yes. You can edit or delete any of your own comments and replies.
