WordPress comment settings explained
In WordPress 7.1, comment settings live in Settings > Discussion. CommentCamp, $0 for site owners, is a comment system with spam filtering built in. The defaults nest replies 5 levels deep, hold comments with 2 or more links for moderation, and open comments on new posts but not on pages. Below is every option with its default and our recommended value, plus fixes for comments that aren't showing.
- Thread depth default
- 5 levels (max 10)
- Links before hold
- 2
- Auto-close window
- 14 days when switched on
- Comments per page
- 50 top-level
Where to find WordPress comment settings
Go to Settings > Discussion in the WordPress admin. Under the first group of checkboxes, WordPress reminds you: "Individual posts may override these settings. Changes here will only be applied to new posts."
Click Save Changes when you're done. Each post and page also has its own Discussion panel in the editor.
Discussion settings: defaults and recommended values
Defaults below are from WordPress 7.1.4, the current version as of October 2026.
| Setting | Default | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allow people to submit comments on new posts | On | On | Opens discussion on new posts |
| Attempt to notify any blogs linked to from the post | On | Off | Stops pingbacks to every site you link to |
| Allow link notifications (pingbacks and trackbacks) | On | Off | Incoming pings get held in your queue |
| Comment author must fill out name and email | On | On | Lets WordPress recognize returning commenters |
| Users must be registered and logged in to comment | Off | Off | Accounts cut participation on open blogs |
| Automatically close comments on old posts | Off (14 days when on) | Optional, 90+ days | Ends comments on old posts |
| Show comments cookies opt-in checkbox | On | On | Readers choose whether to save their details |
| Enable threaded (nested) comments | On, 5 levels | On, 3 levels | Deep nesting gets cramped on phones |
| Break comments into pages | Off (50 per page) | Off | Only needed past 50 top-level comments |
| Comment must be manually approved | Off | Off | Holds every comment, even from regulars |
| Comment author must have a previously approved comment | On | On | Reviews first-timers, trusts regulars |
| Links allowed before holding | 2 | 1 or 2 | Spam often carries links |
Default post settings: comments, pingbacks and trackbacks
The top 3 checkboxes are all on by default. "Attempt to notify any blogs linked to from the post" sends a pingback to sites you link to, and "Allow link notifications from other blogs (pingbacks and trackbacks) on new posts" accepts them from others.
WordPress stores incoming pingbacks and trackbacks as comments. With the default "previously approved" rule on, every one of them is held in your moderation queue, so switch both off unless you use them.
"Allow people to submit comments on new posts" decides whether new posts open for comments. New pages always start with comments closed, whatever you pick here.
Who can comment, threading and pagination
"Comment author must fill out name and email" is on by default; leave it on. "Users must be registered and logged in to comment" is off. If you switch it on, also check "Anyone can register" under Settings > General (off by default), or new readers can't create an account.
"Automatically close comments on old posts" is off. Once checked, it closes comments after 14 days by default, which is short for evergreen content. If old posts mostly draw spam, try 90 or 180 days instead.
"Show comments cookies opt-in checkbox, allowing comment author cookies to be set" is on, so readers choose whether their name and email are remembered.
Threaded comments are on at 5 levels, with a maximum of 10. Your theme has to support threaded display. "Break comments into pages" is off; when on, it shows 50 top-level comments per page, opens on the last page, and puts older comments at the top of each page.
Comment moderation settings
Under "Email me whenever", both "Anyone posts a comment" and "A comment is held for moderation" are on. Under "Before a comment appears", "Comment must be manually approved" is off and "Comment author must have a previously approved comment" is on. That combination suits most blogs: first-time commenters wait for review, and anyone with an approved comment under the same name and email gets published right away. More on reviewing the queue in comment moderation.
The link limit is 2, so a comment with 2 or more links is held. Two text boxes, both empty by default, take one word or IP address per line:
- Comment Moderation: a comment whose content, name, URL, email, IP address or browser user agent contains a listed word is held for moderation.
- Disallowed Comment Keys: the same check, but matching comments go to the Trash. WordPress permanently deletes trashed comments after 30 days.
Note: Both lists match inside words, so "press" matches "WordPress". Real comments can end up in the Trash, so use Disallowed Comment Keys sparingly.
WordPress also rejects a new comment from the same IP address or email within 15 seconds of the last one. For spam filtering and community features beyond core rules, CommentCamp is our free comments platform: $0 for site owners, no ads, launching with an official WordPress plugin, automated spam filtering, a moderation queue and optional member levels, Q&A, reactions and quests. It's in private early access: join the waitlist for an invite.
Avatars
"Show Avatars" is on, and WordPress uses Gravatar by default. The maximum rating is G ("Suitable for all audiences"), and you can raise it to PG, R or X.
Commenters without a Gravatar get the Mystery Person image. The other options are Blank, Gravatar Logo, Identicon, Wavatar, MonsterID, Retro, RoboHash, Initials and Color.
How to enable comments on a post or page
Open the post or page in the block editor, open the Discussion panel in the sidebar and choose "Open" ("Visitors can add new comments and replies.") or "Closed" ("Visitors cannot add new comments or replies. Existing comments remain visible."). The "Enable pingbacks & trackbacks" checkbox sits in the same panel.
In Posts > All Posts, Quick Edit has an "Allow Comments" checkbox for one post.
Tip: To change many posts at once, select them in Posts > All Posts, choose "Edit" from Bulk actions, click Apply, set Comments to "Allow" or "Do not allow" and click Update. Pages work the same way.
To switch comments off across the whole site, follow how to disable comments in WordPress. Comparing plugins instead? See the best WordPress comment plugins.
Why WordPress comments are not showing
Check these 6 things:
- Comments are closed: check the post's Discussion panel. New pages start with comments closed.
- The comment is pending: look in Comments > Pending. First-time commenters and comments with 2 or more links are held there by default.
- Your theme doesn't output comments: classic themes need comments_template() in the single post template; block themes need the Comments block in the single template (Appearance > Editor).
- A cache is serving an old copy: clear your page cache or CDN after approving comments.
- Pagination hides it: with "Break comments into pages" on, WordPress opens on the last page, so replies to older comments can sit on an earlier page.
- A plugin took over: a comment plugin or a disable-comments plugin can override these settings, so test with it deactivated.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the comment settings in WordPress?
In your WordPress admin, go to Settings and open Discussion. That screen holds the default post settings, who can comment, threading, pagination, email alerts, moderation rules and avatars. Click Save Changes at the bottom when you're done. Each post also has its own Discussion panel in the editor.
How do I enable comments on an existing WordPress post?
The Discussion settings screen only affects new posts. Open the post in the block editor, find the Discussion panel in the sidebar and choose Open. For many posts at once, go to Posts, All Posts, select them, choose Edit from Bulk actions, set Comments to Allow and click Update.
Why are my WordPress comments not showing?
Usually the comment is waiting in Comments, Pending, comments are closed on that post or page, or a page cache is serving an old copy. Also check that your theme outputs comments, that comment pagination isn't hiding it on another page, and that no plugin has taken over comments.
How do I stop comment spam in WordPress without a plugin?
On the Settings, Discussion screen, keep Comment author must have a previously approved comment checked so first-time commenters wait for review. Lower the link limit from 2 to 1, turn off pingbacks and trackbacks, and add recurring spam words or IP addresses to the Comment Moderation box.
Why are comments closed on my WordPress pages?
WordPress opens comments on new posts by default but always starts new pages with comments closed. To allow comments on a page, open it in the block editor, expand the Discussion panel in the sidebar and switch it from Closed to Open.
Sources
- wordpress.org/documentation/article/settings-discussion-screen
- wordpress.org/documentation/article/comments-in-wordpress
- wordpress.org/documentation/article/comment-moderation
- wordpress.org/documentation/article/page-post-settings-sidebar
- github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/blob/trunk/src/wp-admi...
- github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/blob/trunk/src/wp-admi...
- github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/blob/trunk/src/wp-incl...
- developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/get_default_comme...
- developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/wp_scheduled_delete
Prices and plan limits checked on October 30, 2026.