Where to find your block list on Facebook
Your block list lives in Facebook's Settings & Privacy menu, not in a separate app or hidden corner. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left sidebar, choose Privacy. Scroll down to the section labeled Blocking — that's where you'll see everyone you've blocked.
On a phone or tablet, the path is similar but the layout differs slightly. Open the menu (three horizontal lines), scroll to Settings & Privacy, tap Settings, then scroll down to Privacy. The Blocking section appears in the same place. Facebook keeps this information in one location so you can review, add to, or remove from your block list at any time.
If you've never blocked anyone, the section will say you have no blocked people. The list only shows people you've actively blocked — it does not include people who blocked you, which you cannot see directly.
Key Takeaways
- Your block list is found under Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy > Blocking on both desktop and mobile.
- When you block someone, they cannot see your profile, send you messages, or find you in search results, but Facebook does not notify them that they're blocked.
- You can unblock anyone from the same list at any time, and doing so does not automatically send them a friend request or notification.
- Blocking is different from unfriending — a blocked person cannot see you at all, while an unfriended person can still view your public posts unless you've restricted them separately.
What happens when you block someone
Blocking is one of the strongest privacy controls Facebook offers. When you block a person, they lose the ability to see your profile, message you, tag you in photos or posts, or find you through Facebook's search function. Any existing messages between you and that person remain in your message history, but they cannot send new ones. If you were friends before blocking, that friendship is automatically removed.
The blocked person does not receive a notification that you've blocked them. However, they may figure it out if they try to visit your profile and see an error message, or if they notice they can no longer find you in search. Facebook does not tell them the reason or confirm that a block is in place.
Blocking affects only Facebook itself, not Instagram or Messenger if you use those apps separately. If you want to block someone across Meta's platforms, you may need to block them in each app individually, depending on your account settings.
The difference between blocking, unfriending, and restricting
Many people confuse blocking with unfriending or restricting, but each one works differently. Unfriending removes someone from your friends list, but they can still see your public posts and visit your profile unless you've restricted them. They can also send you a new friend request. Restricting is a middle ground — the person stays on your friends list, but they can only see posts you've marked as public, and they cannot see when you're online or when you've read their messages.
Blocking is the most complete separation. A blocked person cannot see your profile at all, cannot message you, and cannot find you in search. If you later unblock them, they do not automatically become your friend again — you'd have to send a new friend request or they would have to.
Choose blocking if you want no contact with someone. Choose unfriending if you want to end the friendship but don't mind them seeing your public posts. Choose restricting if you want to keep the friendship but limit what they see.
How to block or unblock someone from your block list
To add someone to your block list without going through Settings, you can block them directly from their profile. Visit their profile, click the three dots in the top right corner, and select Block. You can also block someone from a comment or post they've made by clicking the three dots next to their name and choosing Block.
To unblock someone, go back to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy > Blocking and find their name in the list. Click Unblock next to their name. Unblocking does not send them a notification, and it does not automatically restore your friendship. They will be able to see your profile and send you messages again, but you'll both start from zero as far as friend status goes.
If you block someone and then change your mind within a short time, you can unblock them when ready. There's no waiting period or limit to how many times you can block and unblock the same person, though doing this repeatedly may trigger Facebook's spam detection.
What you should know about your block list and privacy
Your block list is private — other people cannot see who you've blocked. Facebook does not share this information with your friends, with the people you've blocked, or with third-party apps. However, your block list is tied to your account, so if someone gains access to your Facebook account, they can see who you've blocked.
Blocking someone does not delete past conversations or shared history. If you and a blocked person were in a group chat or group together, they can still see the messages and posts you made before the block. Blocking only prevents new contact going forward. If you want to remove old messages, you'll need to delete them separately from your message history.
Keep in mind that blocking is not the same as reporting. If someone is harassing you or breaking Facebook's rules, you can report them separately through the same three-dot menu. Reporting sends information to Facebook's safety team; blocking only stops that person from contacting you.
Reviewing and updating your block list regularly
It's worth checking your block list occasionally, especially if you've blocked people over a long period. You might have blocked someone years ago and forgotten about it, or circumstances may have changed. To review your list, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy > Blocking and scroll through the names. If you recognize someone you no longer need to block, you can unblock them.
Some people block others temporarily during a conflict and unblock them later when things calm down. Others block permanently. There's no rule about how long a block should last — it's entirely up to you. If you're unsure whether to unblock someone, you can always wait longer and decide later.
If your block list is very long, Facebook does not provide a way to sort or search it directly from the Blocking section. You'll need to scroll through the names manually. If you're looking for a specific person, you can use your browser's find function (Ctrl+F on Windows, Cmd+F on Mac) to search the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I've blocked them?
Facebook does not notify them, but they may figure it out if they try to visit your profile and see an error, or if they notice they can no longer find you in search. There's no official way for them to confirm a block, so they cannot be certain unless you tell them.
If I unblock someone, do they know?
No. Unblocking sends no notification. They'll straightforward be able to see your profile and message you again, but they won't receive an alert that you've unblocked them.
What happens to messages I sent before I blocked someone?
Messages you sent before the block remain in your message history and in theirs. They can still read old conversations, but they cannot send you new messages once you've blocked them. If you want to remove old messages, you'll need to delete them from your end separately.
Can I block someone on Facebook but not on Instagram?
Yes. Facebook and Instagram are separate apps with separate block lists, even though they're owned by the same company. You can block someone on one platform without blocking them on the other. If you want to block across both, you'll need to block them in each app.
Is there a limit to how many people I can block?
Facebook does not publish a specific limit, but you can block as many people as you need to. There's no penalty for having a long block list, and it does not affect your account's performance or visibility to others.