If the number of comments exported from Osortoo is lower than the number displayed on Instagram, this is normal and expected. Instagram counts every interaction as a “comment,” while Osortoo only retrieves the comments that the Instagram API allows third-party platforms to access.

Several technical restrictions, privacy rules, and content limitations explain the difference.

Below are all the possible reasons, along with explanations and solutions when available.

1. Instagram includes more than comments in its count

Instagram’s comment counter includes:

• comments
• replies to comments
• deleted comments
• hidden comments
• restricted comments
• limited comments
• comments filtered by Instagram

Osortoo can only retrieve public, accessible main comments allowed by the Instagram API.

Result

The number on Instagram will always appear higher than the export, even when everything works correctly.

2. Replies (comment threads) are not included in exports

Instagram separates:

• main comments
• replies to comments

The Instagram API does not always provide access to replies, depending on:

• privacy level of the user
• account type
• comment structure

Osortoo exports the main comments consistently.
Replies may not be included in the export, which reduces the total count.

3. Private or restricted users’ comments are hidden

Instagram does not allow access to comments from:

• private accounts with strict privacy settings
• users who limited data sharing
• users who blocked your Page or Instagram
• users under age-based restrictions
• users with country or region restrictions

These comments appear on Instagram but cannot appear in Osortoo exports.

4. Comments filtered automatically by Instagram

Instagram automatically hides comments that contain:

• banned or sensitive keywords
• detected spam
• abusive language
• repeated comments from the same user

These comments still count in the total number displayed on Instagram but are inaccessible through the API.

5. Comments awaiting Instagram review

When Instagram suspects spam or moderation issues, comments are placed in a temporary review state.

During this period:

• the comment is visible on the post
• but cannot be accessed by third-party apps

This reduces the export count.

6. Instagram API delays

Instagram’s API may take a few minutes to index new comments, especially if:

• the post receives heavy interactions
• comments were added very recently
• users comment repeatedly in a short time window

Fix

Wait 2–10 minutes and refresh the data.

7. Your Instagram–Facebook link may not be configured correctly

If your Instagram account is not linked properly to a Facebook Page, comment retrieval can be incomplete.

Check:

• Instagram is Professional
• Instagram is linked to a Facebook Page
• You are Admin of that Page
• The correct Page was selected during login in Osortoo

Incorrect linking reduces the total number of imported comments.

8. Some comments cannot be legally shared by Instagram

Instagram restricts access to protected user data.
These rules cannot be bypassed by any app.

Examples of disallowed data:

• comments from minors
• comments from accounts with strict privacy
• comments containing protected information
• comments from users who opted out of data sharing

These still count on Instagram but cannot appear in exports.

9. Deleted comments still appear in Instagram’s counter

If the creator deletes or hides comments:

• Instagram keeps counting them in the total
• but does not make them available for export

This often causes noticeable differences.

10. Post type limitations

Some posts limit the type of comments that can be accessed:

• reels
• boosted reels
• posts with temporary restrictions
• posts edited after publishing

These posts may hide certain comments in the API.

Summary

Your exported Instagram comments can be fewer than the number shown on Instagram because Instagram counts many items that cannot be retrieved by third-party tools.
Osortoo retrieves the maximum number of comments allowed by Instagram’s API.

This includes:

• public main comments
• comments from users with shared permissions
• comments from eligible post types

Comments that are hidden, private, restricted, deleted, or part of comment threads will not appear in the export.