Instagram iconIn an effort to further shield users from some of the nastiness that can be so pervasive online, Instagram announced Monday that it was taking another step toward making the photo-sharing app a positive place for self expression.

Instagram co-founder and CEO Kevin Systrom wrote in a blog post that a new feature will allow for keyword moderation on comments. The tool lets users list words that they may consider offensive or inappropriate.

Instagram comments tool
(Via Instagram)

You can make your own list of words or Instagram will recommend some default options. Comments with these words will be hidden from your posts. For instance, mine include “eggplant,” “Tom Brady” and “motherf—er.”

The app already has tools which allow users to swipe to delete comments. Or you can report inappropriate comments or block accounts which are harassing you.

“The beauty of the Instagram community is the diversity of its members,” Systrom wrote. “All different types of people — from diverse backgrounds, races, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and more — call Instagram home, but sometimes the comments on their posts can be unkind. To empower each individual, we need to promote a culture where everyone feels safe to be themselves without criticism or harassment.”

The new feature is rolling out today, along with other improvements to the comments experience overall, which includes more personalized, relevant comments in the preview users see on posts in the feed or on their own profile, instead of the two most recent comments.

 

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