Deactivate WordPress comments: Simple instructions [2024]

The comment function on your WordPress website is active by default. This means that visitors can comment on your posts or pages.

If you don't want to receive comments from visitors on your website, you need to deactivate WordPress comments. In this article, I'll show you 5 ways to disable the function on your website.

3 ways to deactivate WordPress comments

There are various ways to deactivate WordPress comments on your website. With the various options, you can freely decide whether you want to deactivate the comment function globally for your entire website or only for individual content.

I primarily recommend options 1 to 4, but for the sake of completeness I would also like to mention the code option.

1. deactivate global WordPress comments

All you have to do is uncheck a box in your dashboard to disable the function globally for all content (posts and pages) on your website:

1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard a
2. Navigate in the menu link to "Settings" > "Discussion"
3. In the overview uncheck the box "Allow visitors to comment on new posts"
4. Save your settings using the button at the bottom "Save changes"

💡 Note: The comment function will only be deactivated for future pages and posts. The function is still available for existing content. In option 2, I will show you an easy way to deactivate the function here retrospectively.

2. subsequently deactivate comments for existing content

You have already published posts that should no longer receive comments in the future? No problem! I'll show you a quick way to deactivate the comment function for all existing content at the same time:

1. navigate in your WordPress Dashboard to "Contributions"
2. select via the Box in the first line all contributions (alternatively you can also select individual posts)

3. click on "Multiple actions" > "Edit" > "Apply"

4. in the new screen, click next to "Comments" on the drop-down menu. In the drop-down menu, select "Do not allow" and confirm with the button "Refresh".

💡 Note: Comments that have already been published are still available and visible. To change this, you must delete the comments in your WordPress dashboard.

3. deactivate comments for individual posts or pages

It is also possible to prohibit comments for individual pages or posts. This allows you to deactivate the comment function for individual posts or pages:

1. click on "Edit" on the post or page where you want to deactivate the WordPress comment function

2. navigate in your contribution menu under "Discussion" and remove the checkmark next to "Allow comments"

3. confirm and save the change via "Refresh"

4. deactivate comment function with WordPress plugin

With the help of the WordPress plugin "Disable Comments" you can make global settings for comments on your website. You have the option of deactivating and / or deleting comments for various content types (pages, posts, media).

Installing and using the popular plugin is intuitive and simple. In addition, various instructions, for example "Disable comments for WordPress media files", are available directly in the plugin settings. I can also recommend the plugin to absolute WordPress beginners due to its ease of use and good functionality.

I will show you where and how you can make your individual settings in the plugin settings after successful installation:

Deactivate globally for the entire website:

1. navigate in the WordPress dashboard to "Settings" > "Disable Comments"
2. click on the tab "Deactivate comments" on "Everywhere"
3. confirm your change via the button "Save changes"

Deactivate for individual content types:

1. select in the menu "Settings" > "Disable Comments"
2. in the tab "Deactivate comments" you will find the section "For certain types of content". Check the box here and select the Content types for which you want to deactivate WordPress comments.
3. save your changes using the button "Save changes"

Delete comments:

You can not only deactivate the comment function, but also delete comments with the help of the plugin. There are various options available to you here:

Everywhere:
This function deletes all existing comments on your website.

For certain types of content:
All comments posted on the selected post types will be deleted completely.

Delete certain comment types:
If you have different comment types on your website, you can only delete selected types.

Spam:
Delete all spam comments on your website.

💡 Tip: Next to Comment count is the number of comments that will be deleted by your selected function.

5. deactivate the comment function using a code

In addition to the options already described, you can also remove the comment function on your website using custom code. If you are a beginner, I recommend deactivating WordPress comments using one of the methods already described.

HTML commands must be removed from the WordPress theme for deactivation. This means you are actively working on the source code of your website. Working on the source code always involves a risk, as errors can lead to a corrupted or damaged website.

Advantages and disadvantages of WordPress comments

We are always happy to receive positive comments on our posts! And it frustrates us when we don't receive any comments on our posts. That's why blog owners consider whether it's worth keeping the WordPress comment function activated at all. I'd like to show you a few advantages and disadvantages of comments on your website:

Disadvantages of comments:

1. spam comments that cause a lot of effort:
In addition to sympathetic and constructive comments, there are unfortunately far too many spam comments. These are spread all over the internet by bots and can also affect your blog. Deleting them means effort for you - even though we have seen that this can be done very quickly using a plugin.

2. self-promotion from other websites / bloggers:
If you comment on a blog, you usually also place a link to your own website there. Some people want to take advantage of this and comment for the sake of having commented. As the operator, you should differentiate between "self-promotion" and "constructive comments" and deliberately not publish such comments.

3. the GDPR and the comment function:
If visitors first have to register in order to be able to comment, personal data is collected. In order to obtain this data, the requirements of the GDPR must be met. It may therefore be worth talking to a data protection officer to avoid trouble and costs.

Advantages of comments:

1. exchange with your readers:
If you publish instructions or experience reports, for example, you will often receive questions from your readers. The comment function can lead to an exciting exchange between you. You can also receive valuable feedback that you can use to optimize your post.

2. positive for SEO:
Comments are not a direct positive ranking factor - but an indirect one. Comments keep your article up-to-date and also increase the time spent on your site, which is a positive sign for Google.

3. community feeling:
The constant exchange about a topic can create a real community feeling. This is a huge added value for you, your readers and your brand!

Tips for WordPress comments on your website

Have you decided to use the comment function? Then try the following steps to minimize spam comments:

• Enable that users have to enter name and e-mail address to comment
• In addition, you can set that users must register and log in in advance (note the GDPR here!)
• Use Spam and security pluginssuch as Antispam Bee
• Release comments manually

These settings allow you to restrict who can comment on your posts. You also have full control over which comments are published on your blog - and which are not.

Use the newly gained time to proactively respond to real comments and engage with your readers.

Conclusion

Do you want to deactivate WordPress comments? Then you have various options to choose from. With the different ways to deactivate the comment function, you can configure the settings according to your wishes:

• Deactivate globally for all pages and posts
• Only deactivate for individual pages and posts

You can make the settings either in the WordPress dashboard, using a plugin or with a code. Alternatively, you can continue to activate the comment function and use the settings to avoid unpopular spam comments. After all, comments don't just have disadvantages, but also advantages.