How to turn off Hype Comments on Instagram
Sophia Hammond
Updated on April 03, 2026
Instagram has introduced a new feature to its users’ accounts in the form of hype comments, which works alongside stories.
Instagram, run by Facebook’s Meta, constantly introduces new features and software to compete with other platforms like Twitter, TikTok and Reddit. But not all of them land.
The latest addition to accounts is hype comments, which drive more engagement to Instagram stories as opposed to a user’s unique grid. This new feature comes after Instagram chief Adam Mosseri explained that users now “post a lot more to stories, and send a lot more DMs, than they post to Feed.”
Until now, users who want to react to another’s story can do so via an emoji or by swiping up and sending them a direct message. Similar features are included on apps like Snapchat and Facebook.
The hype comment feature on Instagram accounts now allows people to react to a story in real-time, for all other account holders to see. That means that, alongside the story itself, comments and quips from friends are also available to view.
The new account feature is being rolled out in stages, but you will be notified with the following pop-up when it’s available to you: “Your friends can now add Hype to your story. Hype comments are visible to anyone who views your story. You can always turn it off in settings.”
– AITA for purposely forgetting my daughter’s birthday story has Reddit users outraged
But not everyone is pleased by the new addition; no doubt hoping the focus is on the story itself and not the comments people leave.
Taking to X, formally known as Twitter, one person scathed: “what the f**k are hype comments i don’t even see the option to do it ? instagram is weird.”
“I hate instagram for forcing me to just now google the phrase “turn off instagram hype comments,” another person wrote, while a third said, “Instagram added…”hype comments” huhhhhhh lol.”
If you’d rather not have random statements appearing on your story, the resolution is actually quite simple. By going to your “story” settings, you should see a dedicated area for “Hype.” From here, you can either turn off the feature entirely or be more selective about who can leave the hype.
