Blocking a buyer or seller stops them from contacting you and bidding on your items
When you block someone on eBay, that person can no longer message you, bid on your listings, or buy from you. They also cannot see your feedback about them, and you cannot see theirs. The block is permanent until you remove it yourself — eBay does not automatically unblock users after a set time.
You can block someone whether you are a buyer or a seller. The process takes less than a minute and requires only their eBay username. You do not need to contact eBay support or provide a reason for the block.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone prevents them from messaging you, bidding on your items, or buying from you, and the block stays in place until you manually remove it.
- You can block a user from their profile page by clicking the block option, or from your blocked-user list in Account settings.
- A blocked person cannot see your feedback about them, but they can still leave feedback about you if they purchased from you before the block.
- Blocking is different from reporting — reporting sends a complaint to eBay about rule violations, while blocking only affects your own account.
- You can unblock someone at any time by going to your blocked-user list and removing their name.
How to block someone from their eBay profile
The fastest way to block someone is from their profile page. Go to their eBay username or find a message they sent you, then click on their name to open their profile.
On their profile page, look for a menu icon — usually three dots or lines in the upper right corner. Click it and select "Block user" or "Block this user." A confirmation message will appear. Click "Block" again to confirm. The person is now blocked.
If you cannot find the menu icon on their profile, scroll down to see if a "Block user" button appears lower on the page. Different eBay layouts place this button in different spots, but it is always on the profile itself.
How to block someone from your Account settings
You can also manage blocks from your eBay Account page. Sign in, go to Account, then select "Preferences" or "Buying preferences" depending on your eBay version.
Look for a section called "Blocked users" or "Blocked sellers and buyers." Click the option to add a new blocked user, then type the eBay username you want to block. Click "Add" or "Block," and the person is blocked when ready.
This method is useful if you want to block someone without visiting their profile — for example, if you received a message from them and want to block them without looking at their account details.
What happens when you block someone
Once you block a user, they cannot message you through eBay's messaging system. If they try to send you a message, they will see an error saying they cannot contact you. They also cannot place bids on any of your active listings or buy items from you using the "Buy It Now" option.
The blocked person will not receive a notification that you blocked them. However, if they try to message you or bid on your item, they will realize something is wrong when they see the error message.
Feedback is handled differently: if you left feedback about them before blocking, they cannot see it. However, if they left feedback about you before the block, that feedback remains visible to other buyers and sellers. Blocking does not erase past feedback.
Blocking versus reporting to eBay
Blocking and reporting are two separate actions. Blocking only affects your account — it stops one person from contacting you. Reporting sends a complaint to eBay about that person's behavior, which may result in eBay taking action against their account.
If someone is harassing you, breaking eBay rules, or selling counterfeit items, you should report them to eBay in addition to blocking them. To report a user, go to their profile, click the menu icon, and select "Report user" or "Report this user." Describe the problem and submit. eBay will review the report, but you will not hear back about the outcome.
Blocking is when ready and affects only you. Reporting takes time and affects the other person's account if eBay finds a violation. Use both when the situation warrants it.
How to unblock someone
If you change your mind, you can unblock someone at any time. Go to your Account, then Preferences, and find the "Blocked users" section. Look for the person's name in your blocked list and click "Unblock" or "Remove" next to their username.
Once you unblock someone, they can message you, bid on your items, and buy from you again. There is no waiting period — the unblock takes effect when ready. You can block and unblock the same person as many times as you need to.
Blocking on mobile versus desktop
The steps are the same on the eBay mobile app and the desktop website, but the menu locations may look slightly different. On the mobile app, tap the three-dot menu icon on a user's profile, then select "Block user." On desktop, click the three-dot or three-line menu and do the same.
If you cannot find the block option on mobile, try opening the person's profile in your mobile browser instead of the app. The browser version sometimes displays the menu more clearly. You can also manage your entire blocked-user list from the desktop version of Account settings, which gives you a full view of everyone you have blocked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked person still see my listings?
Yes. Blocking prevents them from bidding or buying, but they can still view your items and see your feedback score. If you want to hide your listings from someone, you would need to end the listing or use eBay's "Block buyer" feature during checkout, which is different from a full user block.
Will the person know I blocked them?
They will not receive a notification, but they will figure it out if they try to message you or bid on your item and see an error. There is no way to block someone silently — if they attempt contact, they will know something prevented it.
What if I blocked someone by mistake?
Go to your blocked-user list in Account settings and click "Unblock" next to their name. The block is removed when ready and they can message and bid on your items again. You can unblock someone as many times as needed.
Can I block someone if I have never bought from or sold to them?
Yes. You do not need any transaction history with someone to block them. You can block anyone on eBay based on their username alone, whether you have interacted with them or not.
Does blocking someone remove their feedback about me?
No. If they left feedback about you before you blocked them, that feedback stays on your account and is visible to other buyers. Blocking only hides feedback you left about them, not feedback they left about you.