Finding comments on X (formerly Twitter) confuses many users because the platform calls them "replies" instead of comments. Unlike other social networks that display comments prominently below posts, X threads replies in a specific way that requires understanding the interface.
This guide covers every method to view replies on X, including hidden ones, on both desktop and mobile devices.
How X Organizes Replies
X doesn't use the term "comments." Everything is a post (formerly tweet), and responses to posts are called "replies." These replies appear in a threaded conversation below the original post.
The platform sorts replies based on several factors:
- Engagement level: Replies with more likes appear higher
- Your connections: Replies from accounts you follow get priority
- Relevancy: X's algorithm determines what it thinks you want to see
- Recency: Newer replies may appear depending on your sorting choice
Viewing Replies on Desktop
To see comments on X using a web browser:
- Navigate to the post: Click on any post in your timeline or search for it directly
- Look below the post: Replies appear automatically in a threaded format
- Click "Show more replies": This reveals additional responses that didn't load initially
- Change the sort order: Click the dropdown to switch between "Relevancy," "Latest," or "Likes"
The speech bubble icon with a number indicates how many replies a post has. Clicking this icon takes you directly to the reply section.
Viewing Replies on Mobile
The mobile experience works slightly differently:
- Tap on the post: This opens the full conversation view
- Scroll down: Replies load below the original post
- Pull to refresh: This loads newer replies
- Tap "Show more replies": Reveals additional threaded responses
On mobile, X often collapses long threads. Tap "Show this thread" to expand nested conversations.
Finding Hidden Replies
Post authors can hide specific replies from their threads. X also automatically filters replies it considers spam or low-quality.
To view hidden replies:
- Find the hidden replies icon: Look for a small icon in the bottom right corner of the original post
- Tap or click the icon: A dropdown menu appears
- Select "View hidden replies": X displays all replies the author chose to hide
Hidden replies remain visible to anyone who looks for them. The author can't delete others' replies, only hide them from the main thread.
Viewing Your Own Comments
To find replies you've made across X:
- Go to your profile: Tap or click your profile picture
- Select the "Replies" tab: This shows your posts that were replies to others
- Alternative method: Select "Tweets & Replies" to see both your original posts and replies together
This helps you track conversations you've participated in and see if anyone responded to your comments.
Why You Might Not See Some Comments
Several reasons explain missing replies:
Privacy settings: The original poster may have limited who can reply (Everyone, Accounts they follow, Verified accounts, or Only people they mention)
Deleted replies: Users can delete their own replies at any time
Blocked accounts: You won't see replies from accounts that have blocked you
Muted conversations: If you muted the thread, new replies won't appear in your notifications
Account suspension: X removes content from suspended accounts
Filtered content: X automatically hides replies it considers spam or harmful
Sorting Options Explained
X provides three ways to sort replies:
Relevancy (default): X's algorithm shows replies it thinks you'll find most interesting. Factors include engagement, your relationship with the replier, and content quality.
Latest: Shows replies in reverse chronological order. Most recent replies appear first. Useful for following active conversations in real-time.
Likes: Sorts replies by the number of likes they've received. Popular responses appear at the top.
Switch between these options using the dropdown menu at the top of the replies section.
Tips for Finding Specific Comments
When searching for a particular reply:
Use search operators: Search for to:username to find replies sent to a specific account
Check notifications: If someone replied to your post, the notification includes a direct link
Browse profiles: Visit the replier's profile and check their "Replies" tab
Sort by latest: New replies are easier to find with chronological sorting
Understanding Reply Threads
X displays conversations as threads. Each reply can have its own replies, creating nested conversations.
Visual indicators help you follow threads:
- Vertical lines: Connect related replies in a conversation
- "Show this thread": Expands collapsed sections of nested replies
- "More replies": Indicates additional responses exist
Complex conversations can branch into multiple parallel threads, each exploring different aspects of the original topic.
Viewing Comments Without an Account
You can view public replies without logging in:
- Navigate to X in a web browser
- Find the post you want to see
- Replies are visible for public accounts
However, without an account:
- You cannot interact with replies
- You may see limited replies due to X's rate limiting for logged-out users
- Private accounts' replies remain hidden
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some posts show comments are limited?
The post author has restricted who can reply. Options include: everyone, only accounts they follow, only verified accounts, or only accounts mentioned in the post. You'll see a notice explaining the restriction.
Can I see comments from people I've blocked?
No. Blocking an account hides their content from you, including their replies to other posts.
How do I see all comments, not just top ones?
Switch the sort order from "Relevancy" to "Latest" using the dropdown menu above the replies. This shows all replies in chronological order rather than algorithmically curated ones.
Why do comment counts not match visible replies?
The count includes all replies, but you may not see all of them due to: deleted replies, suspended accounts, blocked users, hidden replies, or privacy settings. The count doesn't update immediately when replies are removed.
Can I search for a specific comment?
X's search doesn't directly search reply content. However, you can search for the text of a reply if you remember specific words. Use quotes for exact phrases: "exact words from reply".
Navigating X's reply system becomes intuitive once you understand that comments are simply called replies and appear threaded below posts. Use the sorting options and hidden replies feature to ensure you're seeing the full conversation.