The Allow Comments toggle in Notion controls whether visitors to a shared page can leave comments. When you share a page with someone outside your workspace, this toggle determines if they can write remarks, ask questions, or reply to existing discussions. Understanding this setting helps you control the level of interaction visitors have with your content. This article explains what the toggle does, how to configure it, and what visitors experience in each scenario.
Key Takeaways: How the Allow Comments Toggle Works for Visitors
- Share menu > Page visibility > Allow comments: When enabled, visitors can add comments and replies on the shared page.
- Share menu > Page visibility > Allow comments (disabled): Visitors see existing comments but cannot create new ones or reply.
- Page-level override: Workspace admins can lock comment settings for specific pages, preventing editors from toggling the option.
What the Allow Comments Toggle Controls
The Allow Comments toggle appears in the Share menu of any Notion page. It applies only to visitors who are not members of your workspace. Workspace members always have commenting permissions based on their role, not this toggle.
When you share a page via a public link or with specific email addresses, the toggle decides if those visitors can create comments. If you turn off the toggle, visitors can still read comments left by others, but they cannot add new ones or reply to existing threads. This is useful for pages where you want to present finalized information without allowing public feedback.
The toggle works independently of the Can Edit permission. A visitor with Can Edit access can always comment, regardless of the toggle. The toggle only affects visitors with Can Comment or Can View access.
Steps to Configure the Allow Comments Toggle
- Open the Share menu
Click the Share button at the top-right corner of any Notion page. The button is located next to the page title. - Set visitor permissions
In the Share menu, under the Invite section, add email addresses or generate a public link. Choose the permission level: Can View, Can Comment, or Can Edit. The Allow Comments toggle appears only when you select Can View or Can Comment. - Toggle the Allow Comments option
Find the Allow Comments toggle directly below the permission dropdown. Slide it to the right (blue) to enable commenting, or to the left (gray) to disable it. The change takes effect immediately. - Test from a visitor account
Open the shared link in a private browser window or sign in with a different email address. Verify that the comment box appears or is hidden based on your toggle setting.
What Visitors See With Comments Enabled
When Allow Comments is on, visitors with Can View or Can Comment permission see a comment input box at the bottom of the page. They can type a comment, mention other visitors, and add reactions. All comments appear in a thread below the page content. Visitors can also reply to existing comments.
Visitors cannot edit or delete comments after posting. Only workspace members with page editing rights can delete comments. This prevents visitors from removing feedback or starting disputes.
What Visitors See With Comments Disabled
When Allow Comments is off, visitors with Can View or Can Comment permission see the page as read-only. The comment input box is not visible. Existing comments remain visible, but visitors cannot add new ones or reply. The page functions like a static document with no interactive elements beyond viewing.
Visitors who attempt to use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+M to open comments see no response. The comments section is completely hidden from their view.
Common Mistakes and Limitations
Visitors with Can Edit Permission Still See Comments
If you give a visitor Can Edit permission, they can always comment, even with the toggle turned off. The Allow Comments toggle only applies to Can View and Can Comment roles. To prevent editing and commenting, set the visitor permission to Can View and disable the toggle.
Public Links and Allow Comments
When sharing a page via a public link, the Allow Comments toggle applies to anyone who opens that link. If you want to restrict comments to specific people, use email invitations instead of a public link. Public links cannot be restricted by domain or account type.
Comments Are Not Synced to Database Rows
Comments left by visitors are not stored in any database column. They appear only on the page where they were created. If you move the page to a different database or template, comments may disappear. Notion does not provide a way to export comments as structured data.
Workspace Admins Can Lock the Setting
If your workspace admin has enabled page-level lock settings, you may not be able to change the Allow Comments toggle. The toggle appears grayed out with a lock icon. Contact your admin to adjust this restriction for the specific page.
| Visitor Permission | Allow Comments On | Allow Comments Off |
|---|---|---|
| Can View | Can read and add comments | Can read only, no comment box |
| Can Comment | Can read and add comments | Can read only, no comment box |
| Can Edit | Can comment regardless of toggle | Can comment regardless of toggle |
The Allow Comments toggle gives you precise control over how visitors interact with your Notion pages. Use it to allow feedback on drafts or to lock down finalized documents. For pages where you want full visitor interaction, combine the toggle with Can Comment permission. For read-only pages, disable the toggle and set permission to Can View. Remember that workspace members always retain their commenting abilities based on their role, not this toggle.