Not a fan of what you're seeing in your Instagram comments? The social network is about to give you the power to ignore what you don't want to see.
In a company blog post, Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom announced that all Instagram users will have the option to create a list of keywords that can be used to filter out comments they don't want to see. So, for example, if someone is being abused on the site by people using a certain term, that person can add that term to their personal blacklist.
![Instagram users will have the option to create a list of keywords that can be used to filter out comments they don't ...](/web/20161117015221im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/f/3/r/y/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.grf3kt.png/1473735410406.jpg)
"This feature lets you list words you consider offensive or inappropriate," Systrom wrote. "Comments with these words will be hidden from your posts. You can choose your own list of words or use default words we've provided."
Instagram users, he said, can still also swipe to delete comments, report inappropriate comments and block accounts.
The new feature is accessible by tapping the gear icon within the app. The company earlier announced that it was testing the feature on high-profile accounts with the intention of rolling out some form of comment filtering to the general public.
The company is using this and other tools to combat online harassment, which is a problem on Instagram as it is on every social media site. All the major social networks — including, of course, Instagram's parent company Facebook — have grappled with the question of how to make their networks feel safe for everyone while also making sure safety measures don't cross the line into censorship.
Giving users their own choice to block out words, at least, gives each Instagram user that option to make their own part of the network feel safe for them — and keeps the company from having to make tricky judgments about what is generally offensive and what isn't.
In his post, Systrom said that this is just the first step for Instagram, which he said needs to "promote a culture where everyone feels safe to be themselves without criticism or harassment."
"We know tools aren't the only solution for this complex problem, but together, we can work towards keeping Instagram a safe place for self-expression," Systrom said. "My commitment to you is that we will keep building features that safeguard the community and maintain what makes Instagram a positive and creative place for everyone."
The Washington Post
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