Summary: The Lock feature freezes interactions on a post while keeping all existing comments and reactions visible. This guide explains how locking works for all post types (updates, news items, and polls), who can use it, and how it differs from disabling comments and reactions.
Why lock a post?
Locking is useful when you want to stop new interactions but keep the existing comments and reactions visible as they are. It applies to all post types, including updates, news items, and polls.
It works well when you've already gathered everything you need from your readers and want to keep those acknowledgments or answers visible while avoiding further noise or prolonged discussion. For news items, it also lets you share sensitive announcements, company changes, or regulatory notices cleanly, without inviting endless debate or off-topic comments, while the item stays easy to find on the News page.
What happens when a post is locked
- No new comments: The comment text field is removed, so no one can post new comments or replies. In its place, readers see a static summary of the existing likes and comments.
- No new reactions: Users can no longer like or unlike the post.
- Everything existing stays visible: All comments and likes posted before the lock remain fully visible, exactly as they were. Locking is a pause button, not an erase button.
Locking is always done manually. You cannot schedule a post to lock automatically at a later date.
How to lock a post
- Click or tap the three dots icon in the top right corner of the post.
- Select Lock from the menu. On a news item, the option reads Lock news item.
- The post freezes instantly, preventing any further comments or reactions.
The steps are the same on desktop and in the mobile apps (iOS and Android). A pop-up will confirm the action: in the top right corner on a desktop browser, and at the bottom of the screen on mobile.
How to unlock a post
Repeat the same steps: click or tap the three dots icon and select Unlock (on a news item: Unlock news item). The comment field and reaction buttons come back, and your colleagues can interact again.
Who can lock or unlock a post
- Allowed: Only the post author and network administrators.
- Not allowed: Users who have interacted with the post (by liking or commenting) cannot lock it. Local group admins also cannot lock posts they did not author, unless they are network administrators.
Locking vs. disabling comments and reactions
These two moderation tools work differently:
- Locking a post: Prevents any further interaction, but all existing comments and likes remain fully visible to your network.
- Disabling comments/reactions: Blocks future engagement and hides all previous comments and reactions from view.
If you don't want comments and likes displayed at all, choose the disable options instead of Lock.
Frequently asked questions
Will locking a post erase the comments my team already submitted?
No. Every comment, reply, and like submitted before the lock stays intact and readable. Use the disable option if you want to hide the comments and likes entirely.
Can a group admin lock a post from someone else?
No. Unless they are the author of the post or hold network administrator permissions, group admins cannot lock or unlock it.
Can I schedule a post to lock automatically after a few days?
No. Locking must be done manually via the three dots menu once the discussion has run its course.
What does an employee see when they open a locked post?
The comment text box at the bottom is removed. Instead, they see a static summary of the existing likes and comments, signaling that the discussion is closed.
Still stuck?
Email us at support@speakap.com with your network name and a link or screenshot of the post, and we'll help you out.