What blocking a subscriber does
When you block a subscriber on YouTube, that person can no longer see your channel, watch your videos, or comment on your posts. They cannot find you through search, cannot access your channel page, and cannot send you messages. If they try to visit your channel directly by typing the URL, they will see a message saying the channel is not available.
Blocking is different from removing a subscriber. When you remove a subscriber, they stay blocked from your channel but may still be able to find you through search or see your public videos elsewhere on YouTube. Blocking is the stronger action and is what you want if someone is harassing you or you want to prevent them from interacting with you entirely.
YouTube does not notify the blocked person that you have blocked them, but they will notice they can no longer access your channel if they try. The block remains in place until you manually unblock them.
Key Takeaways
- You can block a subscriber from your channel's Community tab or from the comments section on any of your videos.
- A blocked subscriber cannot see your channel, watch your videos, or comment, but YouTube does not tell them they have been blocked.
- You can view your list of blocked users at any time and unblock someone if you change your mind.
- Blocking a subscriber is different from removing a subscriber, and blocking is the stronger action that prevents them from finding your channel.
How to block a subscriber from your Community tab
The Community tab is the easiest place to manage your subscribers. Go to YouTube Studio, which is the creator dashboard you access by clicking your profile icon in the top right corner of YouTube and selecting "Create a post" or going directly to studio.youtube.com. On the left sidebar, click "Community."
In the Community tab, you will see posts, comments, and subscriber activity. Look for the subscriber you want to block. You can search for them by name using the search box at the top. Once you find them, click the three-dot menu icon next to their name or comment. A dropdown menu will appear with the option "Block user." Click it, and YouTube will ask you to confirm. Click "Block" again, and the subscriber is now blocked.
If you do not see a three-dot menu, hover your mouse over the subscriber's name or comment until the menu appears. On mobile, tap and hold the subscriber's name or comment until the menu shows up.
How to block a subscriber from the comments section
You can also block a subscriber directly from the comments on your videos. Go to any video on your channel and scroll down to the comments section. Find the comment from the subscriber you want to block.
Click the three-dot menu icon next to their comment. A dropdown menu will appear. Select "Block user." YouTube will ask you to confirm the block. Click "Block," and that subscriber is now blocked from your channel.
This method works the same way on mobile. Tap the three-dot menu next to the comment, then select "Block user" from the menu that appears.
How to block a subscriber from their channel or profile
If you are visiting a subscriber's channel or profile page and want to block them, click the three-dot menu icon next to their channel name or subscribe button. Select "Block user" from the menu. Confirm the block when YouTube asks you to.
This is useful if someone is harassing you and you want to block them before they comment on your videos. You can block anyone on YouTube, not just your subscribers, using this method.
How to view and manage your blocked users
YouTube keeps a list of everyone you have blocked. To see this list, go to YouTube Studio and click "Settings" in the left sidebar. Then click "Community" in the left menu. Scroll down until you see "Blocked users." This section shows everyone you have blocked on your channel.
To unblock someone, find their name in the list and click the "Unblock" button next to it. YouTube will ask you to confirm. Once you unblock them, they can see your channel and comment on your videos again.
You can block and unblock people as many times as you want. There is no limit to how many people you can block.
What happens when you block someone
Once you block a subscriber, they lose access to your channel when ready. They cannot watch your videos, see your playlists, or read your channel description. If they try to visit your channel by typing the URL into their browser, they will see a message saying "This channel is not available."
The blocked person cannot comment on any of your videos, even old ones. If they had already left comments before you blocked them, those comments will remain visible to other viewers, but they cannot add new ones. You can delete their old comments manually if you want.
Blocked subscribers also cannot send you direct messages through YouTube. If they try to message you, the message will not go through.
When to block versus when to remove a subscriber
Use blocking when someone is harassing you, spamming your comments, or being abusive. Blocking prevents them from seeing your channel at all and is the strongest action you can take against a subscriber.
Use removing a subscriber when you straightforward do not want them in your subscriber count but do not need to prevent them from watching your videos. Removed subscribers can still find your channel through search and watch your public videos, but they will not be listed as subscribers anymore.
If someone is threatening you or posting illegal content, blocking is the right first step. You can also report them to YouTube by clicking the three-dot menu next to their comment or profile and selecting "Report user."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked subscriber still watch my videos if they find them through search?
No. When you block someone, they cannot watch any of your videos, even if they find a link to your video through Google search or another website. If they click a link to your video, they will see a message saying the video is not available.
Will the blocked person know I blocked them?
YouTube does not send a notification to tell them they have been blocked. However, they will notice they can no longer access your channel if they try to visit it. They may figure out they have been blocked based on that.
Can I block someone who is not a subscriber?
Yes. You can block anyone on YouTube, whether they are subscribed to your channel or not. You can block them from their profile page, from their comments on your videos, or from the Community tab.
What if I block someone by mistake?
Go to YouTube Studio, click Settings, then Community, and scroll to "Blocked users." Find the person you blocked and click "Unblock" next to their name. They will when ready regain access to your channel.
Can I see a list of people who have blocked me?
No. YouTube does not show you who has blocked you. You will only know someone has blocked you if you try to visit their channel and see the message that it is not available.