What blocking does and what it doesn't
Blocking someone on Facebook prevents that person from seeing your profile, sending you messages, or finding you in search results. They cannot see your posts, photos, or friend list. If you were already friends, blocking also removes them from your friends list automatically.
Blocking is not the same as unfriending. When you unfriend someone, they can still see your public posts and send you a message request. When you block them, neither of those things is possible. The blocked person will not receive a notification that you blocked them, but they may figure it out if they try to visit your profile and see an error message.
Facebook does not tell you if someone has blocked you. If you suspect you have been blocked, you can search for that person's name — if their profile does not appear and you know they have an account, they may have blocked you or deactivated their account.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone removes them from your friends list, hides all your posts and profile information from them, and stops them from messaging you.
- You can block someone from their profile, from a message conversation, or from a comment they made on your post.
- The person you block will not see a notification, but they can figure out they are blocked if they search for you and cannot find your profile.
- You can unblock someone at any time by going to your settings and finding them in your blocked list.
- Blocking is temporary and reversible — you can unblock and reblock the same person as many times as you need to.
How to block someone from their Facebook profile
Open Facebook and search for the person you want to block using the search bar at the top of the page. Click on their name to open their profile.
Look for the three dots (•••) button in the top right corner of their profile header, near the "Add Friend" or "Friends" button. Click on it. A menu will appear with several options. Select "Block" from the list. Facebook will ask you to confirm — click "Block [Name]" to finish.
After you block someone, their profile will no longer appear in your search results, and any messages from them will be hidden. If you were friends before blocking, they are now removed from your friends list.
How to block someone from a message or comment
If someone has sent you a message you want to block them from, open the message conversation. Click the three dots (•••) at the top right of the conversation window and select "Block." Confirm the block when prompted.
If someone has commented on your post in a way that bothers you, hover over their comment and click the three dots (•••) that appear on the right side of their comment. Select "Block" from the menu. This blocks them from your profile while also hiding their comment from your post.
Both methods work the same way as blocking from a profile — the person cannot see your posts, profile, or send you messages after you confirm.
Blocking on mobile devices
On the Facebook app for iPhone or Android, search for the person you want to block and open their profile. Tap the three dots (•••) button near the top of their profile and select "Block." Confirm when the app asks you to.
To block someone from a message on mobile, open the conversation, tap the person's name at the top of the chat, and scroll down to find the "Block" option. Tap it and confirm.
The mobile app works the same way as the website — blocking is when ready and the person cannot contact you or see your profile after you confirm.
How to unblock someone
If you change your mind about blocking someone, you can unblock them at any time. On the website, click the downward arrow (▼) in the top right corner of Facebook and select "Settings & Privacy," then "Settings." On the left side menu, click "Blocking."
You will see a list of people you have blocked under "Blocked people." Find the person you want to unblock and click "Unblock" next to their name. Confirm when Facebook asks you to. They will now be able to see your profile and send you messages again.
On mobile, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings, scroll down to "Blocking," and tap "Blocked people." Find the person and tap "Unblock" next to their name.
What happens after you block someone
Once you block someone, Facebook removes any existing messages between you from your inbox — you will not see those conversations anymore. However, the blocked person may still have copies of your old messages on their end.
If you and the blocked person have mutual friends, those friends can still see both of your profiles and posts. Your mutual friends will not know that you blocked this person unless you tell them. The blocked person cannot see your posts even if a mutual friend shares them or comments on them.
If you block someone and then later unblock them, your old messages do not come back. You start fresh with no message history between you.
When blocking might not be enough
Blocking stops someone from contacting you through Facebook, but it does not stop them from contacting you through other platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, or email. If someone is harassing you across multiple platforms, you may need to block them on each one separately.
If someone is threatening you, harassing you repeatedly, or impersonating you, blocking alone may not be enough. You can report them to Facebook by clicking the three dots on their profile or message and selecting "Report." Facebook can remove accounts that violate their community standards. If you feel unsafe, you can also contact local law enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person I block know that I blocked them?
Facebook does not send a notification when you block someone. However, they may realize it if they try to visit your profile and see an error message, or if they notice they can no longer find you in search results. They will not receive a message saying "you have been blocked."
Can I block someone without unfriending them first?
No. When you block someone, Facebook automatically removes them from your friends list as part of the blocking process. You do not need to unfriend them separately — blocking does that for you.
What if I block someone by accident?
You can unblock them when ready by going to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Blocking and finding their name in the "Blocked people" list. Click or tap "Unblock" next to their name and confirm. They will be able to see your profile and message you again right away.
Can I block someone and still see their posts if a friend shares them?
No. When you block someone, you cannot see any of their posts or content, even if a mutual friend shares it or comments on it. Their posts will not appear in your feed or in comments on other people's posts.
Does blocking someone on Facebook also block them on Instagram?
No. Facebook and Instagram are separate platforms with separate blocking systems. If you want to block someone on Instagram, you must block them there separately. The same person can be unblocked on one platform and blocked on the other.