Blocking stops someone from contacting you and viewing your uploads
When you block a user on YouTube, that person cannot send you messages, see your channel, or comment on your videos. They also cannot find your uploads in search results or recommendations — YouTube hides your content from their account specifically. The block is one-way: they do not know you blocked them, and you can unblock them later if you change your mind.
Blocking is different from reporting. A report tells YouTube that someone broke the rules; a block just removes them from your experience. You can block someone without reporting them, and you can report someone without blocking them. Most people block when they want to stop seeing someone's comments or messages, and report when that person is harassing others or breaking YouTube's policies.
Key Takeaways
- You can block a user from their channel page, from a comment they left on your video, or from your messages inbox.
- A blocked user cannot message you, see your videos, or comment on your uploads, but they can still watch YouTube normally on their own account.
- Blocking takes effect when ready and does not notify the other person.
- You can see a list of everyone you have blocked and unblock anyone at any time.
How to block someone from their channel page
Go to the channel of the person you want to block. On their channel banner or profile section, look for the three vertical dots (the menu icon). Click it and select Block user. YouTube will ask you to confirm — click Block again, and the block is active.
If you are on a phone or tablet, the three-dot menu appears in the same place. Tap it, then tap Block user, then confirm. The process is the same whether you use the YouTube app or the mobile website.
How to block someone from their comment
If someone left a comment on one of your videos that you want to block them for, you do not have to visit their channel. Hover over their comment (or long-press on mobile), and a menu will appear. Select the three dots, then choose Block user. Confirm the block, and that user is blocked.
This method is faster when you are already looking at comments on your own video. The comment itself will disappear from your video once you block them, and any other comments they left will be hidden from you.
How to block someone who messaged you
Open your YouTube messages (the speech bubble icon at the top right of the page). Find the conversation with the person you want to block. Click the three dots next to their name, then select Block user. Confirm the block.
Once blocked, you will not see their messages anymore, and they cannot send you new ones. The old conversation will disappear from your inbox. If you unblock them later, the old messages do not come back — you would have to ask them to resend anything important.
What happens after you block someone
The blocked person can still use YouTube normally. They can watch videos, upload content, and comment on other channels. They just cannot interact with you or see your channel. If they try to visit your channel directly by typing the URL, they will see a message saying the channel is not available to them.
If they try to message you, the message will not go through. If they try to comment on your video, the comment will not appear. They will not receive a notification that you blocked them — YouTube does not tell them why their message failed or why they cannot see your channel.
How to see and manage your blocked users list
Go to your YouTube settings by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner and selecting Settings. On the left side, click User and account, then Blocking settings. You will see a list of everyone you have blocked.
To unblock someone, find their name in the list and click the X next to it. They will when ready be unblocked and can message you, see your channel, and comment on your videos again. Unblocking does not notify them — they will just notice they can interact with you again if they try.
When to block versus when to report
Block someone if they are bothering you personally — sending unwanted messages, leaving comments you do not want to see, or following you across videos. Blocking removes them from your experience without involving YouTube staff.
Report someone if they are breaking YouTube's rules — posting hate speech, harassment, spam, or sexual content. Reporting sends the content to YouTube's team, who will review it and may remove it or suspend the account. You can do both at the same time: block them to stop seeing their content, and report them so YouTube can take action if they are violating policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked user still see my videos if they are not logged in?
Yes. Blocking only works on the account that did the blocking. If a blocked user logs out or uses a different account, they can watch your videos normally. Blocking is not a privacy tool for keeping your videos hidden — it only hides your channel from that specific logged-in account.
Will a blocked user know I blocked them?
No. YouTube does not notify them. If they try to visit your channel or message you, they will see an error message, but YouTube does not tell them you blocked them specifically. They might figure it out, but YouTube keeps it private.
Can I block someone who does not have a YouTube channel?
You can block someone who has commented on your videos or messaged you, even if they do not have a public channel. The block works the same way — they just cannot interact with you anymore.
What if I block someone by mistake?
Go to your blocking settings, find their name, and click the X to unblock them. It takes 30 seconds. They will not know you unblocked them, and they can interact with you again when ready.
Does blocking someone delete their comments from my videos?
Their comments disappear from your view, but they are still visible to other people watching your video. If you want to remove a comment entirely so no one can see it, you need to delete it separately using the comment moderation tools on your channel.