How to hide Threads replies based on specific words

"Hidden words" can be found in your privacy settings.
 By 
Sam Haysom
 on 
The Threads logo is visible on a smartphone.
Credit: Berke Bayur/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Oh, so you've decided to plunge yourself into the hellscape of yet another social media platform, have you? Well, because the internet, you're going to need to know how to hide replies.

On Thursday, Meta launched its Twitter rival, Threads — an app linked to Instagram that allows users to post threaded text updates which can be liked, shared, and replied to (you know, exactly like Twitter).

The app is very much in its infancy, but it is a social media app (and according to Mark Zuckerberg, a rapidly growing one), which means it's only a matter of time before the trolls show up. When they do, it's worth knowing how to protect yourself.


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How to hide replies on Threads

If you've posted a Thread but want to have some control over the replies, you can tweak your Settings in order to manage this.

Total Time
  • 2 mins
What You Need
  • Phone
  • Threads app from iOS or Android

Step 1: Open "Setttings"

First, click on your profile page in Threads and tap the Settings icon in the top-right corner (the two little horizontal lines).

Two black-and-white icons side-by-side. The one on the right consists of two horizontal lines, the one above slightly longer.
Credit: Threads

Step 2: Tap "Privacy".

It's located halfway down the Settings page.

The Settings page on the Threads app, including an option for Privacy.
Credit: Threads

Step 3: Tap "Hidden words".

There are plenty of useful options in the Privacy page worth knowing about, including muting accounts and making your own account private instead of public. But the one you want to tap on now is marked "Hidden words".

The Privacy page on the Threads app, including an option for Hidden Words.
Credit: Threads

Step 4: Manage custom words

Finally, you can scroll down and toggle "Custom words and phrases" to On, then tap "Manage custom words and phrases". In the box on the next page, just type in the words you don't wan't to see, separating them with a comma.

The Hidden Words page on the Threads app.
Credit: Threads

It's worth noting that this feature, though useful, isn't new. Instagram has allowed users to flag "Hidden words" via its privacy settings since 2021, and Twitter also has advanced muting options.

Now you're here, Mashable has some handy guides that might make your arrival on Threads a little smoother:

Topics Social Media

Mashable Image
Sam Haysom

Sam Haysom is the Deputy UK Editor for Mashable. He covers entertainment and online culture, and writes horror fiction in his spare time.

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