TikTok vs. IG Reels: Battle of the Comment Sections 🤳⌨️

Nina and Nora tracked their Instagram and TikTok comments for a week to see how users interact on these two popular platforms. The differences were shocking!

For many of us, TikTok and Instagram serve as our go-to social media platforms. There are numerous key elements that make both of these spaces engaging, including short-form video content, but when faced with a choice, Instagram or TikTok, we all probably have a preference of which platform we prefer to click on. One factor that may play into your decision, either consciously or unconsciously, is the comment section.

We were curious to see how comments differed on these platforms. Which is why we tracked our Instagram and TikTok comments to look for trends in how users responded to videos on different platforms.

Here is what we found:

Surprisingly, both of our observations seemed to overlap. When we looked at our TikTok comments, we noticed more vulnerability and people coming together through their experiences. Whether it’s someone asking for ways they have improved their life or simply posting a motivational video, the trend that we noticed were people sharing their own stories to find like-minded individuals.

Every so often, I will come across a video that may be cringe or something people find funny on TikTok that will be filled with comments saying “Post this on IG reels” or “If only this was on reels.” The implication being that people on Instagram reels tend to be more blunt, straightforward, and sometimes mean in the comment section.

For example when we would watch the same motivational video on Instagram and TikTok, the response in the comments would be drastically different. The comments on Instagram were positive only if they agreed with the person posting and the negative comments focused on presenting arguments against the person or simply just disagreeing. Sometimes solely attacking the person themselves. These comments ranged from “Habits to make you hate yourself #cancelculture” to “Don’t tell me what to do!” While on TikTok, the responses had more people sharing their personal experiences, how they agree with the person or respectfully disagreeing if that’s the case.

Below, we included some comment sections we’ve come across this week.

So why is this?

One reason could be the personalized algorithm TikTok uses with the “For You” page, which only shows videos that are connected to the types of videos users have watched in the past. This level of personalization leads to users primarily seeing content that aligns with their passions and interests, allowing users to engage more positively with the content they are viewing.

Another key difference could be the reputation of these platforms. Instagram posts, for instance, have always felt like they have been perfectly selected and put together. Creating instagram content always feels like a major feat, and especially because we connect with people we know IRL, the fear of judgement and the desire to impress our peers can feel like a major weight. Especially when so many on Instagram meticulously craft their “feed,” edit their photos, and push themselves to seem as flawless as possible. In contrast, TikTok videos feel very impromptu, with trends and videos appearing unscripted filling users’ “For You” page. This kind of culture can promote an acceptance of mistakes and a focus on just being yourself, which definitely transfers over to the comment section. Olivia Hur, a teen from California, felt the comment sections on Instagram and TikTok reflected their different atmospheres: “I feel like TikTok generally has nicer comments and a more welcoming vibe. When TikTok was going to get banned, a lot of people on TikTok were against it and scared to move to Instagram because of the more toxic comments.”

Final thoughts

Though both platforms have pros and cons, we can’t overlook the role comments play in shaping these online spaces for both creators and users. Especially with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announcing the end of his fact-checking program, Instagram could see an uptick in hateful comments. So next time you open up the comment section on either of these platforms, ask yourself whether the environment and the people engaging with these videos positively influence your experience with the app. Remember, social media should encourage self-expression and freedom of thought rather than suppress dissenting ideas and shame others for their differences.