---
title: "Filters"
description: "Control which posts reach a widget using keywords, tags, AI scoring, and rights status."
---

**Filters** decide which of your collected posts actually appear in a widget. A source brings everything in; filters keep the widget showing only what you want on your site.

Open them from '**Filters**' in the left rail of the '**Editor**' tab. Changes apply to that widget only, so two widgets on the same source can show different content.

## How to filter the posts in a widget

:::steps
1. **Open Filters.** In the widget editor, click '**Filters**' in the left rail.
2. **Decide how new posts arrive.** '**Auto add new posts**' pulls matching posts in as they are collected. Turn it off to freeze the widget at what is already approved.
3. **Filter by keyword.** Type into '**Filter by keyword**' and press Enter. Each keyword becomes a removable chip.
![The Filters panel with two keyword chips applied and the keyword syntax hint below the field](https://embedsocial.com/images/docs/filters/1-filter-by-keyword.jpg)
4. **Narrow by tag.** Pick '**Manual tags**' you applied yourself, or use '**Filter by AI tags**' under '**AI filtering**' to use the tags auto-tagging applied.
![The AI tags dropdown open with fashion selected from the available tags](https://embedsocial.com/images/docs/filters/2-filter-by-ai-tags.jpg)
5. **Set the relevance score.** Drag '**Relevance score**' to set how closely a post must match before it qualifies, from 0 to 100.
6. **Set the post type and order.** Choose '**All**', '**Image & Video**', '**Video**', or '**Text**', then set '**Order by date**' or, on review widgets, '**Order by rating**' and a '**Minimum rating**'.
:::

## Keyword syntax

The hint under the field is easy to miss, and the three operators behave differently:

-   **Comma (`,`)** matches posts containing **one OR more** of the keywords
    
-   **Plus (`+`)** requires **all** of them
    
-   **Minus (`-`)** **excludes** posts containing the term
    

Press Enter to apply each one. Combining them is how you get a tight feed: include your campaign terms with a comma, then exclude the noise with a minus.

## AI filtering

'**AI filtering**' works on the tags and scores our AI applies to incoming posts, rather than on the words in the caption:

-   **Filter by AI tags** limits the widget to posts carrying tags such as `fashion` or `luggage`
    
-   **Relevance score** sets the minimum confidence a post needs to qualify
    
-   **Auto-approve new posts with selected AI filters** publishes matching posts without you reviewing each one
    

Auto-approve is the one to think twice about. On a hashtag or mentions source, it puts content from accounts you do not control straight onto your site.

## Showing only rights-approved content

On widgets built from other people's posts, '**Only posts that have approved rights**' restricts the widget to content whose creator granted permission. It is the safe default for a hashtag campaign feed.

![The Filters panel showing the Only posts that have approved rights toggle above the keyword field](https://embedsocial.com/images/docs/filters/3-approved-rights-only.jpg)

Want tighter control over incoming content? [See what social listening can do](/social-listening/) or [start your free trial](/admin/continue_plugin_purchase/socialfeed29/trial?continue_onboarding=ai_widget).

## FAQ

**Q: How do I exclude a word instead of including it?**

Prefix it with a minus, for example `-giveaway`, then press Enter.

**Q: What is the difference between a comma and a plus?**

A comma matches posts containing any one of the keywords. A plus requires every keyword to be present.

**Q: Do filters change the posts in my account?**

No. Filters only control what a single widget displays. Your collected posts stay untouched, and other widgets are unaffected.

**Q: What does the relevance score actually do?**

It sets how confident the AI must be that a post matches your criteria before it qualifies. Higher is stricter and shows fewer posts.

**Q: Should I turn on auto-approve?**

Only when you trust the source. On hashtags and mentions it publishes content from accounts you do not control without review.

## What's next

Filters decide what qualifies. To approve or hide individual posts by hand, see [Moderation](/docs/widgets/moderation/), and for the display options see [Widget settings](/docs/widgets/widget-settings/).

> If you have any questions, click the bottom right chat icon to talk with our customer success team or send us an email at [support@embedsocial.com](mailto:support@embedsocial.com) We're here for you 🙏