How to Deal with Hate. Online survival tips from seasoned influencers

Negative comments and hate—something everyone trying to build a presence online faces—can shake your self-esteem, destroy your belief that things will work out, kill your motivation, and, finally, make you give up. Dealing with them is sadly an inevitable part of the journey.

So, how do you handle it when it starts to feel personal and really stings? We’ve got some real talk from online personalities who’ve been there. From toughening up to knowing when to block out the noise, these tips from the pros will help you rise above the hate and stay focused on what truly matters.

Expect the hate

Hate is inevitable online, but it’s not a reflection of your worth.

Giovanna Fagundes, @giovannahpf

If you want to grow, hate’s just part of the process. You can’t escape it. Everyone who gets big gets canceled eventually because people love twisting things, taking stuff out of context, and blowing it up. I even got hate once because a girl with the same name as me got canceled. They mixed us up and started spreading hate my way. So, you really have to be ready for that. People just love to hate.

Grow a thick skin

That first wave of hate is the hardest, but it makes you stronger.

Gabriel Bernardo, @gabrielbernardu

At first, hate affects everyone. I’ve had a big wave of hate on Twitter, for no reason, and honestly, it hit hard. I even took it to therapy. I don’t let negative comments bother me anymore. I’m like, whatever. If there’s no reason behind it and I can tell it’s just pure hate, I don’t take it seriously.

Don’t take it personally

Haters are often projecting their own issues onto you. It’s not really about you—it’s about them.

Giovanna Fagundes, @giovannahpf

Remember: most of the time, it’s not even about something you did—it’s about what the person is going through. They just want to unload their bad energy. Maybe they had a bad day, and spilling it online feels easy because they’re hidden behind a screen.

Divide feedback from hate

The key question here is does it help me or not?

Matt Solie, @ayitsphotography

Divide genuine feedback from people who are just hating. Ignore comments like "This guy sucks, he's ugly"—that’s not going to help you anyway. But if someone comments, "There’s an issue with your lens, try making it wider," that’s the stuff you want to listen to. Because that’s really trying to help you become a better photographer. This line between constructive feedback and people just being mad is super important—you’re going to get both.

Protect your peace

If you need to stop reading comments for your mental health, do it.

Jarred Jermaine, @itsjmaine

People are mean, I'm not gonna lie. They're like, "I hate you, you suck." Sometimes I literally wake up to that on my phone. First thing I see: "You suck." Great way to start the day, isn’t it? That's why sometimes I avoid looking at comments or DMs. You have to protect your happiness.

Save your energy

Move on and invest your energy in the people and things that truly matter.

Giovanna Fagundes, @giovannahpf

It’s all about perspective. Sometimes, we focus so much on the negative that we forget all the love around us. Right now, I have over 400,000 followers who like and support me. So why should I care about one person hating me when I’ve got 400,000 supporters? Are you really going to let one or two comments ruin your day? I’ve stopped focusing on that. If someone hates me, fine. I’ll read it, then move on. That’s how I handle it.

These stories from our influencer network are just snippets from bigger interviews featured in the Prequel Live series, where we chat with guest experts from the world of audiovisual production and creation. Follow us on Youtube to catch the next episodes!