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How to Pin a Comment in Shorts

A pinned comment in Shorts is a simple way to add a “second layer” to the video: give context, ask a question, collect replies, and lead viewers to the next step. It often increases comments because it’s easier to answer a concrete question than to “think what to write”.

Below is how to pin a comment (steps), 10 ready text templates, and mistakes that make pinned comments ineffective.

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Step by step: how to pin a comment (simple)

The logic is always the same: find the comment and choose the “pin” action.

In the YouTube app: open the Shorts video → comments → find your comment → tap it (or the three‑dot menu) → choose “Pin”.
On desktop: open the video → comments → three‑dot menu next to the comment → “Pin”.

If you have several comments, pin the one that helps the viewer: a question, a short checklist, or a next step.

What to write in a pinned comment: 10 templates for different goals

A good pinned comment is short and concrete. Below are ready options you can copy and adapt:

One‑word question. “What’s weaker for you: hook or ending? Reply with one word: ‘hook’ or ‘ending’.”
Choose between two. “What should I film next: ‘pace’ or ‘loop’? 1 or 2?”
3‑point checklist. “Check: 1) hook 2) progress 3) conclusion. Which one is your weakest?”
Short summary. “Key takeaway: remove fluff at the start + add steps + close with a clear ending.”
“Part 2”. “If you want a breakdown continuation — comment ‘2’.”
Collect questions. “What’s your biggest Shorts problem right now? Write one sentence.”
Ask for a case. “Want me to break down your example? Share the topic and video length.”
Friendly next step. “Film two start versions and compare retention — fastest test.”
Context clarification. “For those watching without sound: key steps are on the screen text.”
Navigation. “All Shorts materials are in the profile / on the channel.”

Choose one template that fits your style. In Shorts, one clear task beats a long text wall.

Pinned comment mistakes (too long, no meaning, no next step)

Long text. Nobody reads a wall in comments.
Multiple asks. “Like, subscribe, comment, repost” — usually nothing works.
Too hard question. The more thinking required, the fewer replies.
Not connected to the video. If the pinned comment is on a different topic, trust drops.
No value. “Subscribe” with no context reads as noise.

Why pin a comment in Shorts: 3 working scenarios

Increase comments. A one‑word question or a choice between two options.
Provide a next step. Checklist, mini task, continuation of a series.
Collect topics. “What problem should I cover next?” gives you ideas.

A pinned comment works best when it feels like a continuation of value, not a request “for the sake of requesting”.

Mini checklist for a pinned comment

Is it short (1–2 lines)?
Is there one clear next step (question or task)?
Does it match the video topic?
No pressure and no “do everything at once”?

Mini FAQ

Is it better to pin a link or a question?

If you want comments, start with a question. If you want clicks, use a link — but always add context (“what is there”).

Can you pin your own comment?

Yes. Most creators pin their own comment so it stays first and guides the viewer.

How to make the pin part of a series

If you run a Shorts series, a pinned comment can “stitch” episodes together. A good pattern: the pin always includes (1) episode number or topic (“episode 3/10”), (2) a question for comments, (3) a one‑line teaser of what’s next. Viewers see progress and return more often.

Another trick is to pin a mini checklist that repeats in every episode. It makes the format recognizable and makes “what to do next” easier.

Before/after: how to shorten a pin and get replies

A pinned comment often fails because it looks like a “post under the video”, not a continuation. Compare:

Before: “If you liked the video, like, subscribe, comment, and also watch other videos. Link in profile.”

After: “What’s weaker for you: hook or ending? Reply with one word: ‘hook’ / ‘ending’.”

In the second version it’s easy to respond: no thinking and no three actions. The easier the reaction, the more comments you get. And more comments often means stronger engagement signals.

How to format a pinned comment so people notice it

A pin can be good in meaning but still “get lost” if it looks like a regular long text. Simple formatting rules:

Make the first line a hook. A question or a choice is more noticeable than “Thanks for watching”.
One action. One reply (“hook/ending”) or one task (“film 2 versions”) works better than a list.
Short and to the point. If you need a checklist — 2–3 items max.
Connected to the video. The pin should continue the video, not switch topics.

A good benchmark: if the pin can be read in 2–3 seconds and it’s instantly clear what to do — it already works.

How to test changes faster

Pinned comments are easy to test like endings: one video — two variants. Version A: one‑word question. Version B: a 3‑point checklist. Compare comments and end retention (sometimes a good pin increases completion because viewers wait for “what’s next”). Fast versions help you find wording that triggers replies in your audience.

A pinned comment works best as part of the script: the final sentence in the video and the short pin text should match. In the AdShorts AI Telegram bot it’s convenient to re‑assemble two versions of the same video with different endings and pick the wording that produces more clicks without hurting retention.