What blocking does and why you might use it
Blocking someone on Facebook prevents that person from seeing your profile, sending you messages, finding you in search results, or adding you as a friend. They cannot see your posts, photos, or any information you share. If you were already friends, blocking also removes them from your friends list and hides all past interactions between you two.
You might block someone to stop unwanted contact, avoid seeing posts from someone who upsets you, or prevent someone from monitoring your activity. Blocking is different from unfriending — when you unfriend someone, they can still see your public posts and send you messages unless you block them too.
The person you block will not receive a notification that you blocked them, but they may figure it out if they try to visit your profile or search for you and cannot find you. Facebook does not tell them why they cannot reach you.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking prevents someone from seeing your profile, messaging you, or finding you in search — it is the strongest privacy option Facebook offers.
- You can block someone from their profile, from a message thread, or from your settings, and the method takes less than one minute.
- Blocking removes them from your friends list if you were already connected, and hides all past posts and comments between you.
- You can unblock someone at any time from your blocked list in settings, and blocking does not prevent them from creating a new account to contact you.
How to block someone from their Facebook profile
The fastest way to block someone is to visit their profile and use the menu at the top. Open Facebook and search for the person's name or navigate to their profile if you have a link to it. Look for the three-dot menu icon (sometimes called "More") in the top right area of their profile header, next to or near the "Add Friend" or "Friends" button.
Click or tap that menu and select "Block" from the list of options. Facebook will ask you to confirm — click "Block [Name]" to finish. The person's profile will when ready disappear from your view, and you will be returned to your own profile or the home feed.
How to block someone from a message or comment
If someone is messaging you or commenting on your posts and you want to block them without visiting their profile, you can block directly from the message or comment. In a message thread, look for the three-dot menu icon at the top of the conversation. Tap or click it and select "Block" from the menu.
To block someone from a comment on your post, hover over or long-press their comment until a menu appears. Select the three-dot icon and choose "Block." This method is useful when you do not want to navigate to their full profile or when you are already looking at their unwanted message.
How to block someone from your settings
You can also block someone through your Facebook settings if you prefer to manage blocks in one place. Click the downward arrow or menu icon in the top right corner of Facebook and select "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Privacy," then scroll down to find "Blocking."
Click "Edit" or the plus icon next to "Block users." Type the person's name or email address in the search box and click their name when it appears. Click "Block" to confirm. This method works even if you cannot find the person's profile through regular search, though you do need to know their name or the email address associated with their account.
What happens after you block someone
Once you block someone, they cannot see your profile, posts, photos, or story. Any messages you sent them before the block remain in their inbox, but they cannot reply to you — their message box will show that the conversation is no longer available. If you were tagged in photos together or in posts, those tags remain visible to other people, but the blocked person cannot click on your name to reach your profile.
Comments the blocked person made on your posts before the block will still be visible to other people, but the blocked person cannot see your responses or any new comments on that post. If you want to remove their old comments, you can delete them individually.
How to unblock someone
If you change your mind, you can unblock someone at any time. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Click "Privacy" on the left, then "Blocking." You will see a list of everyone you have blocked under "Blocked users." Find the person's name and click "Unblock" next to it. Confirm the action when Facebook asks you to.
Unblocking someone does not automatically add them back to your friends list or restore past messages — it straightforward removes the block. They can now see your profile again and send you friend requests or messages, but you will not see any activity they did while you had them blocked.
Blocking on mobile versus desktop
The steps are nearly identical on Facebook's mobile app and on a computer, though the menu icons may look slightly different. On mobile, the three-dot menu is usually in the top right corner of a profile or message thread. On desktop, it is in the same location but may appear as a downward arrow or three horizontal lines depending on your screen size.
If you block someone on one device, the block applies across all devices and platforms — Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram (if you use the same account). You do not need to block them separately on each platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I blocked them?
Facebook does not send a notification, but someone may realize it if they try to visit your profile and cannot find it, or if they notice they can no longer see your posts. They cannot see a list of who blocked them, and there is no official way for them to confirm it was you.
What if I block someone but they create a new account?
Blocking applies only to that specific account. If someone creates a new Facebook account, the block does not carry over — they can add you or message you from the new account. You would need to block the new account separately if they contact you again.
Will blocking someone remove them from my friends list?
Yes. If you were friends with someone before you blocked them, blocking automatically removes them from your friends list. When you unblock them later, you will not be automatically re-added as friends — either of you would need to send a new friend request.
Can I block someone without them seeing my profile first?
Yes. You can block someone from your settings by typing their name, even if they have never visited your profile or sent you a message. You do not need to interact with them first to block them.
Does blocking someone on Facebook also block them on Instagram?
If you use the same account for both Facebook and Instagram, blocking someone on Facebook will also block them on Instagram. If you have separate accounts, you need to block them separately on each platform.