A first comment is a comment the account posts under its own post, usually to hold the hashtags, a link or a call to action that you do not want in the caption. Three of Preflight's twelve networks take one: Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. On the others the post cannot carry one, and the way round it differs. This page covers what each network does and what can go wrong.
Which networks take a first comment
| Network | First comment | What to do instead if not |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | ||
| Facebook Pages | Yes | |
| YouTube | Yes, about three minutes after publishing | |
| Threads | No | Write the follow-up as the second part of a thread |
| Bluesky | No | A thread of two posts |
| Mastodon | No | A thread of two posts |
| No | Keep the link in the post text | |
| TikTok | No | Link in bio, or in the caption where allowed |
| No | The pin's own Link field | |
| Telegram, Discord | No | A second message |
| Tumblr | No | Tags on the last line, link in the text |
How it is sent
A first comment is a second request after the post is out, so it can fail on its own while the post stands. Preflight sends it as soon as the network is ready and keeps a record of when it may go, so a refusal does not fail the post: if Instagram refuses the comment, the post is still published and the refusal is logged. On YouTube the comment waits about three minutes after a public upload, long enough for YouTube to have the video ready to take comments. If the video is held and made public later, the wait starts from that moment.
When a first comment is the right place
- Hashtags on Instagram. Instagram takes up to 30; putting them in the first comment keeps the caption clean, and the hashtag guide lists each network's rule.
- Links. Where a link goes on each network, and where it is clickable, is in the links guide; do not assume a first comment is the place.
- Credits and sources that would make the caption long.
What to remember
A first comment is its own text and is posted as the channel's own account. Over the API it is the firstComment option on the target; the options are on the post reference.
First comments on the free plan
Preflight offers first comments on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube on every plan, the free one included. Network by network limits are on the limits page, and the post checker that runs on every post is described on the post checker guide.
Facts from Preflight's capability sheet and publishing jobs, read on 30 October 2026.
Questions people ask
- Which social networks support a first comment through the API?
- Instagram, Facebook Pages and YouTube. Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, Telegram, Discord and Tumblr do not take one in Preflight.
- Why does a YouTube first comment appear a few minutes late?
- It waits about three minutes after a public upload so that YouTube is ready to take comments. If the video is scheduled and held, the wait starts when it goes public.
- What happens if the first comment is refused?
- The post still stays published. A refused comment does not fail the post; the refusal is logged and the comment can be added by hand.
- How do I add a first comment on Threads or Bluesky?
- They do not have one. Post the follow-up as the second part of a thread, which goes out as a reply to the first post.
- Can I put hashtags in the first comment on Instagram?
- Yes, on Instagram and Facebook. Instagram allows 30 hashtags in a post, and the first comment is a common place to keep them out of the caption.