Custom topics in plain words
You can describe anything you want moderated in your own language, and it is caught.
On this page
Before you start
- It reads meaning, not a word list.
- Describe a topic; single words belong in Keywords.
- Add one topic at a time with Enter.
Open Custom topics and write what you want caught.
The Custom topics ruletype a topic, press Enter
You will see Your topics as chips, with examples.
Write topics the way you would explain them to a new colleague.
One clear topic per entry
You will see Precise topics catch what you meant.
Test each topic before you trust it.
Playground, at the bottom of the page
You will see The verdict names Custom topic when it matched.
If something is off
- It catches too much
- The topic is too broad; split it into narrower ones.
- It catches nothing
- Test a comment you expect to be caught, and check the switch.
- It caught something in another language
- It reads meaning in any language, by design.
- AI checks are unavailable
- It retries by itself; the word rules keep running.
Common questions
Which plans include custom AI rules?
Starter and every plan above it. Mini and Lite run AI moderation in any language with the preset; custom topics, Negativity guidance and impersonator checks show with a lock, and anything set in the trial is kept for an upgrade.
How is Custom topics different from the Keywords rule?
Custom topics reads meaning: you describe a topic in ordinary words and the AI judges each comment against it, so it catches wordings you never listed. Keywords matches the exact words you add. A single word belongs in Keywords; a topic belongs in Custom topics.
Can I add more than one custom topic?
Yes. Each topic is added on its own with the Enter key and appears as a chip. Several short, specific topics work better than one long one, because a broad topic such as spam means everything.
How do I know Custom topics is what hid a comment?
The comment carries the Custom topic label beside Hidden or Deleted, in the inbox and in the Bin. In the Playground the verdict names Custom topic when your description matched.
For agents: plain text of this guide · all guides
For agents
Guide: Custom topics in plain words
This page: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/moderation-rules/custom-topics-in-plain-words
Topic: Moderation rules
Time: about 3 minutes
Who can do it: Owner, Administrator or Manager
Author: https://anantgupta.xyz (Anant Gupta, founder of CommentWatchDog)
Start in the app: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/inbox
Result when done: You can describe anything you want moderated in your own language, and it is caught.
Context: Custom topics is the rule for everything the other eleven do not name. You write what you want caught in ordinary words, and the AI judges each comment against your description rather than against a word list. Custom AI rules are included from Starter.
Before you start
1. This rule reads meaning, so it catches wordings you never listed.
2. Describe a topic, not a single word: a word belongs in the Keywords rule.
3. Each topic is added on its own, with the Enter key.
Steps
Step 1 of 3: Open Custom topics and write what you want caught.
Where: On the Moderation tab. Type a topic and press Enter, for example people promoting their own service, questions about a recall, or anyone asking for my personal number.
Link: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/inbox (Open the app)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/moderation.en.webp (Custom topics: describe a topic, press Enter.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/moderation-custom-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: Your topics appear as chips, and the rule shows examples of comments it would catch.
Step 2 of 3: Write topics the way you would explain them to a new colleague.
Where: Short, plain and specific beats clever. People selling their own tools works; spam does not, because it means everything. Add several topics rather than one long one.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/moderation.en.webp (Each topic is one line in plain words.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/moderation-custom-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: Precise topics catch what you meant and leave the rest alone.
Step 3 of 3: Test each topic before you trust it.
Where: The Playground at the bottom of the tab. Paste a comment that should be caught, and one that should not.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/moderation-playground.en.webp (Test a comment that should match the topic.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/moderation-playground-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: The verdict names Custom topic when your description matched.
If something is off
Problem: It catches too much
Fix: The topic is too broad. Replace it with two or three narrower ones and test each.
Problem: It catches nothing
Fix: The topic may be too narrow, or the rule is off. Test a comment you expect to be caught, and check the switch.
Problem: It caught something in another language
Fix: That is intended: the rule reads meaning in any language.
Problem: AI checks are unavailable
Fix: Custom topics needs AI. It retries by itself on live comments; the word rules keep running.
Common questions
Question: Which plans include custom AI rules?
Answer: Starter and every plan above it. Mini and Lite run AI moderation in any language with the preset; custom topics, Negativity guidance and impersonator checks show with a lock, and anything set in the trial is kept for an upgrade.
Question: How is Custom topics different from the Keywords rule?
Answer: Custom topics reads meaning: you describe a topic in ordinary words and the AI judges each comment against it, so it catches wordings you never listed. Keywords matches the exact words you add. A single word belongs in Keywords; a topic belongs in Custom topics.
Question: Can I add more than one custom topic?
Answer: Yes. Each topic is added on its own with the Enter key and appears as a chip. Several short, specific topics work better than one long one, because a broad topic such as spam means everything.
Question: How do I know Custom topics is what hid a comment?
Answer: The comment carries the Custom topic label beside Hidden or Deleted, in the inbox and in the Bin. In the Playground the verdict names Custom topic when your description matched.
Related guides
The twelve rules, one by one: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/moderation-rules/the-twelve-rules-one-by-one
Guide the Negativity rule: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/moderation-rules/guide-the-negativity-rule
Test a comment in the Playground: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/moderation-rules/test-a-comment-in-the-playground
Plain text of this guide: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/moderation-rules/custom-topics-in-plain-words.md
All guides for assistants: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/llms.txt