How to block someone on Instagram
To block someone on Instagram, open their profile, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select Block. Confirm when Instagram asks if you're sure. That person can no longer see your posts, stories, or profile — and they won't receive a notification that you blocked them, though they may figure it out if they try to visit your profile and can't find it.
You can block someone from their profile, from a comment they made on your post, from a direct message, or from your followers list. The steps are slightly different depending where you start, but the result is the same. Blocking is when ready and takes a few seconds.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone removes their ability to see your profile, posts, stories, and activity — they cannot find you by searching your username.
- The person you block does not get a notification, but they will notice if they try to visit your profile and see "User Not Found" or "No Posts Yet".
- You can block someone from their profile, from a comment, from a direct message, or from your followers list using the three-dot menu.
- If you change your mind, you can unblock someone at any time by going to your settings, finding their name in your blocked list, and tapping Unblock.
- Blocking is different from muting — muting hides someone's posts and stories from your feed but they can still see your profile and message you.
Block someone from their profile
This is the most direct method. Navigate to the person's profile by searching their username or tapping their name from a comment or message. Once you're on their profile, look for the three horizontal dots (⋯) in the top right corner of the screen.
Tap those three dots and a menu will appear. Select Block from the options. Instagram will ask you to confirm — tap Block again. The person is now blocked.
Block someone from a comment or direct message
If someone has commented on your post and you want to block them, press and hold their comment (or tap the three dots next to it on some devices). A menu will appear with options including Block. Tap it and confirm.
In direct messages, open the conversation with the person you want to block. Tap their name at the top of the chat to open their profile, then tap the three dots and select Block. Alternatively, swipe left on their message thread (on iPhone) or press and hold it (on Android) to see the block option.
Block someone from your followers list
Open your profile and tap Followers to see everyone following you. Find the person you want to block, tap the three dots next to their name, and select Block. This is useful if someone is following you and you want to prevent them from seeing your content.
When you block someone from your followers list, they are removed as a follower when ready. They will not be able to follow you again unless you unblock them first.
What happens when you block someone
Once you block someone, they cannot see your profile when they search for you. If they try to visit your profile using an old link or by scrolling to find you, they will see either "User Not Found" or a message saying the account is private. They cannot see your posts, stories, reels, or any other content you share.
They also cannot send you direct messages, and any existing messages between you will remain in your chat history but they cannot reply to them. If they try to message you, their message will not go through.
The person you block will not receive a notification saying you blocked them. However, they may realize it happened if they notice they can no longer find your profile or see your posts. Some people figure it out by trying to visit your profile directly.
How to unblock someone
If you change your mind, you can unblock someone at any time. Open your profile and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Go to Settings and Privacy, then tap Blocked. You will see a list of everyone you have blocked.
Find the person you want to unblock and tap Unblock next to their name. Confirm when Instagram asks. Once you unblock someone, they can see your profile and content again, and they can follow you and message you.
Unblocking someone does not automatically re-follow them or restore your previous relationship — it straightforward removes the block. If they were following you before you blocked them, they will need to follow you again.
Blocking versus muting
Blocking and muting are different tools for different situations. Blocking prevents someone from seeing your profile or content at all. Muting hides their posts and stories from your feed, but they can still see your profile, follow you, and message you — they just won't know you muted them.
Use muting if you want to avoid seeing someone's content without completely cutting off contact. Use blocking if you want to prevent someone from interacting with you or viewing your profile. You can mute someone by tapping the three dots on their profile and selecting Mute, or by pressing and holding their post and choosing Mute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
They will not get a notification, but they may figure it out if they try to visit your profile and cannot find it. If they search your username and see "User Not Found," they will likely realize you blocked them. Some people test this by trying to message you or checking if they can still see your old posts.
Can I block someone without them seeing my profile first?
Yes. You can block someone from their profile, a comment, a message, or your followers list at any time. They do not need to have interacted with you first. Blocking is a one-way action — you control it entirely.
What if I block someone and then unblock them later?
Once you unblock them, they can see your profile and content again. They will not receive a notification that you unblocked them. If they were following you before the block, they will need to follow you again — the block does not restore old follows.
Can I block someone on Instagram if they blocked me first?
You can still block someone even if they already blocked you. However, since they blocked you first, you likely cannot see their profile to access the block option. If you know their username, you can search for them, and if their profile appears, you can block them from there.
Does blocking someone delete our old messages?
No. Your direct message conversation will remain in your chat history, but the blocked person cannot reply to messages or send you new ones. You can still see the old messages, but they cannot. If you unblock them later, they will be able to message you again.