What blocking a post actually does
Blocking a post on Facebook hides it from your feed without telling the person who posted it. The post stays on their timeline and their friends can still see it — you just won't see it anymore. This is different from blocking a person, which prevents them from messaging you, seeing your profile, or finding you in search.
Facebook gives you several ways to control what shows up in your feed. You can hide a single post, mute someone's posts for 30 days, unfollow them entirely, or block them as a person. Each option works differently and affects what you see in different ways.
Key Takeaways
- Hiding a post removes it from your feed but does not notify the person who posted it, and their other posts will still appear unless you mute or unfollow them.
- Muting someone for 30 days hides all their posts temporarily without unfollowing them, so their posts return after the muting period ends.
- Unfollowing someone removes all their posts from your feed permanently, but they can still see your public posts and message you.
- The three-dot menu on any post gives you the fastest access to hide, mute, or unfollow options without opening the person's profile.
How to hide a single post from your feed
To hide one post without affecting the rest of that person's content, look for the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the post. Click or tap it, then select "Hide post". The post disappears from your feed when ready.
This is the gentlest option if you just saw something you don't want to see again but don't mind seeing other posts from that person. Facebook does not notify them that you hid their post. If they post something else tomorrow, it will show up in your feed normally.
How to mute someone's posts for 30 days
Muting temporarily stops someone's posts from appearing in your feed for exactly 30 days. After 30 days, their posts return automatically. To mute someone, tap the three-dot menu on one of their posts and select "Mute [person's name]".
Muting is useful when someone is posting a lot about a topic you want to avoid for a while — a political campaign, a TV show you haven't finished, or a hobby you're not interested in right now. They won't know you muted them, and you can unmute them early if you change your mind. To unmute, go to their profile, tap the three-dot menu next to their name, and select "Unmute".
How to unfollow someone without removing them as a friend
Unfollowing removes all of someone's posts from your feed permanently, but you stay friends with them. They can still see your public posts, and you can still message each other. To unfollow, tap the three-dot menu on one of their posts and select "Unfollow [person's name]".
Unfollowing is useful when you want to stay connected to someone but don't want to see their daily posts. You might unfollow a coworker, a distant relative, or someone you met once and added out of politeness. If they post something important and tag you, you'll still get a notification even though you're not following them.
The difference between hiding, muting, and unfollowing
Each method gives you a different level of control over what you see. Hiding works for one post at a time, muting pauses someone's content for a set period, and unfollowing removes all their posts permanently while keeping the friendship intact. The table below shows how each option compares.
| Action | What happens to their posts | How long it lasts | Can they tell? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hide a post | One post disappears; others still show | Permanent for that post only | No |
| Mute for 30 days | All posts hidden temporarily | 30 days, then posts return | No |
| Unfollow | All posts hidden permanently | Until you follow them again | No |
| Block the person | You cannot see their profile or posts | Until you unblock them | Yes, they may notice |
Choose hiding if you want to see their other posts. Choose muting if you need a temporary break. Choose unfollowing if you want a permanent break but still want to stay friends. Choose blocking only when you need complete separation.
When to block someone instead of just hiding their posts
Blocking is stronger than hiding or unfollowing. When you block someone, you cannot see their profile, posts, or messages, and they cannot see yours. They may notice if they try to visit your profile or search for you and find they cannot. Use blocking when someone is harassing you, posting threatening content, or when you need a complete separation.
If you just don't want to see someone's posts but you're not concerned about them contacting you, hiding, muting, or unfollowing is usually enough. Save blocking for situations where you feel unsafe or where the person's behavior is abusive.
How to manage posts from pages and groups
The same three-dot menu works on posts from pages and groups. You can hide a single post, mute the page or group for 30 days, or unfollow it entirely. Unfollowing a page or group removes all its posts from your feed, but you stay a member of the group if you joined one.
If a group is posting content you don't want to see, you can also leave the group entirely. Go to the group's page, tap the three-dot menu next to the group name, and select "Leave group". You will no longer receive posts or notifications from that group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will someone know if I hide their post?
No. Facebook does not notify people when you hide their posts, mute them, or unfollow them. They will only know if they visit your profile and notice you are not interacting with their posts anymore, or if they ask you directly.
Can I undo hiding a post?
No. Once you hide a post, it does not reappear in your feed. If you want to see it again, you would have to visit the person's profile directly. You can still see their other posts unless you muted or unfollowed them.
What happens if I mute someone and then they message me?
Muting only affects posts in your feed. You will still receive their messages and notifications normally. They can still see your public posts and interact with them.
If I unfollow someone, can I follow them again?
Yes. Go to their profile and tap "Follow" to start seeing their posts in your feed again. You stay friends with them the whole time you are unfollowed.
Can I hide posts from a specific topic without blocking the person?
Facebook does not have a built-in way to hide posts about one topic from one person. Your options are to hide individual posts, mute the person for 30 days, or unfollow them. If a page or group is posting about a topic you want to avoid, you can unfollow the page or leave the group.