Blocking stops someone from contacting you and viewing your channel

When you block someone on YouTube, they cannot send you messages, comment on your videos, or see your channel, uploads, or playlists. A blocked person can still watch your public videos if they find them through search or another channel's recommendation, but they cannot interact with you or access anything tied to your account. Blocking is different from deleting a comment — it removes a person's ability to reach you going forward.

You can block someone from their channel page, from a comment they left, or from your messages. The block takes effect when ready and the person does not receive a notification that you blocked them.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking someone prevents them from messaging you, commenting on your videos, and viewing your channel page, but they can still find and watch your public videos through search.
  • You can block a person from their channel page, from a comment they posted, or from your direct messages.
  • The person you block will not know they are blocked unless they try to contact you and notice they cannot.
  • You can unblock someone at any time by going to your blocked users list in account settings.

How to block someone from their channel page

Go to the channel of the person you want to block. Look for the three vertical dots (the menu icon) near the top right of their channel header, next to the Subscribe button. Click those dots and select Block user from the menu that appears.

On mobile, the three dots appear in the same location. Tap them and choose Block user. The block takes effect when ready.

How to block someone from a comment they left

Find the comment the person posted on one of your videos or on another video. Hover over the comment (on desktop) or tap and hold it (on mobile) until a menu appears. Click or tap the three dots at the right end of the comment. Select Block user from the options.

This method is useful when you want to stop someone who is harassing you in the comments without having to visit their channel first.

How to block someone from your direct messages

Open your messages by clicking the profile icon in the top right corner and selecting Messages. Find the conversation with the person you want to block. Click the three dots at the top of the conversation window and select Block user.

On mobile, open the YouTube app, go to Messages, find the conversation, and tap the three dots. Select Block user from the menu.

How to see who you have blocked

Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings. On the left side, click Community or Moderation (the exact name depends on your account type). Look for Blocked users and click it. You will see a list of everyone you have blocked.

On mobile, tap your profile icon, go to Settings, scroll down to Moderation, and tap Blocked users.

How to unblock someone

Go to your blocked users list (see the section above). Find the person you want to unblock and click the X or Unblock button next to their name. They will be unblocked when ready and can contact you and see your channel again.

You can unblock someone at any time. There is no waiting period or limit to how many times you can block and unblock the same person.

What happens when you block someone

A blocked person cannot send you direct messages, and any existing messages from them will disappear from your inbox. They cannot comment on your videos or reply to your comments. They cannot see your channel page, your subscriber count, your playlists, or your upload history. If they try to visit your channel directly by typing the URL, they will see a message saying the channel is not available.

However, a blocked person can still find and watch your public videos through YouTube search, recommendations, or links shared by other people. They straightforward cannot interact with you or access your channel profile. If you want to prevent someone from watching your videos at all, you would need to make those videos private or unlisted instead of blocking them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I blocked them?

No, YouTube does not notify someone when you block them. They will only know if they try to visit your channel, send you a message, or comment on your video and notice they cannot. Even then, they cannot be certain you blocked them — the message might suggest the channel is unavailable or the comment failed to post.

If I block someone, can they still see my videos?

They can still find and watch your public videos through search, recommendations, or links from other people. They just cannot access your channel page, see your other videos, or interact with you through comments or messages.

What if someone keeps harassing me from different accounts?

Block each account separately using the same steps. If the harassment continues or escalates, report the person to YouTube by clicking the three dots on their comment or channel and selecting Report user. YouTube can take action against accounts that violate community guidelines.

Can I block someone without them knowing my reason?

Yes. YouTube does not tell the blocked person why you blocked them or give them any explanation. You do not need to provide a reason to block someone.

If I unblock someone, will they know?

No. YouTube does not notify someone when you unblock them. They will only realize they are unblocked if they try to contact you or visit your channel and find they can again.