CommentShark watches your comments and handles the repetitive work: answering the question you always get, holding the comments that need you personally, surfacing the leads you'd otherwise miss. This page is the whole setup, start to finish.
01
Build a rule, right now
The fastest way to understand CommentShark is to build a rule. This is a working replica of the real editor. Click through it; nothing here touches YouTube or your channel.
Step 1 of 5
First, tell the rule how to spot comments. For a question people phrase with predictable words, keywords are perfect.
When a comment matchesmatch typewords or descriptionthenactionrun mode
02
The mental model
You just built one, so here's the pattern you were following: every rule is the same sentence with four slots. Once you can read the sentence, you can build anything CommentShark does.
Every rule reads like a sentence
When [match type] [match value], [action] [execution mode].
Each bracketed slot is a chip. Click it to pick or type a value. There are no forms and no wizard steps; you build a rule by filling in the sentence.
The four chips
Match type
Keyword matchers (Contains keywords, Starts with, Exact match, Custom Regex) check the literal text. AI detects intent (Plus) lets you describe the kind of comment in plain English, like "asking about pricing" or "sounds frustrated", and the AI decides. Rule of thumb: if you can write down the exact words, use keywords. If you're trying to capture an idea or a feeling, use AI.
Match value
The words or description you're matching against. For keyword matchers that's the literal words; for AI it's your description, e.g. "Comments asking about pricing, plans, or how much it costs." The more specific you are, the fewer false positives.
Action
Reply with a preset (the same message every time), Reply with AI (Plus; a unique on-brand reply per comment), Hold for review (hides the comment and queues it in your inbox), Delete the comment (requires write permission), or Notify me by email.
Execution mode
Automatically runs the action with no review, which is good for preset replies and obvious spam. After I approve queues every match in your inbox for a one-click approve or skip; it's the safest choice for AI replies, moderation, and deletions.
Test before you enable
The editor has a built-in tester: paste a sample comment, hit Test, and see whether it matches, why it matched, and what reply would be generated, all without posting anything to YouTube. Use it every time you build a new rule.
03
Set up your first two rules for real
Open your dashboard in another tab and follow along. These two rules cover the bulk of what most channels need on day one: a keyword rule that answers your most-repeated question, and a sentiment rule that catches unhappy comments before your audience does.
1. A keyword rule: answer your most-asked question
Every channel has a question that shows up on every upload: what you charge, what gear you use, where the link is. Answer it once, in your words, and let the rule post it from now on.
Open the rule editor
From your dashboard, go to Comment Assistant → Rules and click “+ New rule”. You'll see the rule sentence with empty chips.
Pick “Contains keywords” as the match type
Click the match-type chip and choose Contains keywords. This matches any comment containing the words you give it, anywhere in the text.
Type the words people actually use
Think about how viewers phrase the question, not how you would. For a pricing question that's words like “price”, “cost”, or “how much”. Keep the list short and specific.
Choose “Reply with a preset” and write your answer
Write the reply once. For example: “Great question! Current pricing is always on the site, link in the description. Happy to answer specifics over there.” The same message posts every time, so make it evergreen.
Set the execution mode to “Automatically”
Preset replies post the exact text you wrote, so there's nothing to review. Automatic execution is what saves you the time.
Test it with a real comment
Paste a recent comment from your channel into the built-in tester and hit Test. You'll see whether it matches and the exact reply that would post. Nothing is sent to YouTube.
Click “Create rule”
The rule goes live on new incoming comments. It never fires retroactively on old ones.
From now on, that question gets answered in minutes instead of sitting unanswered, even mid-upload week.
2. A sentiment rule: catch unhappy comments early
Negative comments are the ones that cost you when they sit unattended: a frustrated customer, a confused viewer, a complaint other viewers pile onto. This rule quietly holds them for you to handle personally. AI matching is available on Plus and above.
Create another rule
Back in Comment Assistant → Rules, click “+ New rule” again.
Pick “AI detects intent” as the match type
Instead of exact words, you describe the kind of comment in plain English and the AI reads each comment and decides. Sentiment is exactly what this is for; there's no keyword list for “sounds upset”.
Describe the sentiment you want to catch
For example: “Comments that sound frustrated, disappointed, or upset about the video, the product, or their own situation.” Specific descriptions beat vague ones like “negative comments”.
Choose “Hold for review” as the action
A matching comment is hidden from the public and queued in your inbox. Nothing is posted on your behalf; you decide how to respond to each one.
Set the execution mode to “Automatically”
Automatic is safe here because the action only hides and queues. The comment waits for you either way; automatic just means it stops being publicly visible right away.
Test it, then click “Create rule”
Paste a grumpy-sounding comment into the tester to see the AI's reasoning, then create the rule. Matches land in your review queue, and you can optionally get an email per match.
Unhappy commenters get a personal reply from you instead of silence, and your other viewers never see the pile-on bait.
Or steal a starting point
Most CommentShark customers are creator-businesses (coaches, advisors, educators, local businesses) whose comments contain real leads and real customers. Take whichever of these matches your channel.
Coaches: turn advice-seekers into consults
AI detects intent
Comments where someone asks for personal advice about their own situation.
Reply with AI
Answer briefly and warmly, then invite them to book a free intro call, link in the description.
You don't have to watch it work, but you should know what's happening behind the scenes, so none of it ever feels like a black box.
New comments are picked up automatically
CommentShark syncs your channel in the background every few minutes. Rules only ever run on new comments, never retroactively on the old ones we synced when you joined.
Approvals wait in your inbox
Anything set to After I approve queues up for a one-click approve or skip, in the dashboard or straight from an email if you turn that on per rule.
Every action is on the record
Replies, holds, and deletes all land in your activity feed with the rule that triggered them, so you can always see exactly what ran and why.
You can start cautious
Pause or edit any rule at any time, and re-test it whenever you change it. Plenty of creators run everything on After I approve for the first week, then switch to automatic once they trust it.
That's the whole tour.
You know how rules think, you've built two, and you know what happens after. The rest happens in your dashboard.
Short on time? Install a ready-made rule from the template library (Full Comment Moderation, Thank Supporters, FAQ Auto-Responder) and tweak it to fit. Browse templates