Blocking someone on OfferUp stops them from contacting you and viewing your listings
When you block a user on OfferUp, that person can no longer send you messages, see the items you have for sale, or view your profile. The block is one-way — they may not know you blocked them, and they cannot undo it from their side. You can block someone from a conversation, from their profile page, or from a listing they commented on.
Blocking is different from reporting. A report tells OfferUp that someone broke the rules; a block is just for your own peace of mind. You might block someone who is being rude, asking for a lower price repeatedly, or making you uncomfortable — even if they have not violated OfferUp's terms of service.
Key Takeaways
- You can block someone directly from a message thread by tapping their name and selecting the block option.
- A blocked user cannot message you, see your listings, or view your profile going forward.
- Blocking does not delete past messages — they stay in your inbox but the person cannot send new ones.
- You can unblock someone later if you change your mind, and there is no limit to how many people you can block.
Block someone from a message conversation
Open the OfferUp app and go to your Messages tab at the bottom of the screen. Find the conversation with the person you want to block and tap it to open the thread.
At the top of the conversation, tap the person's name or profile picture. A menu will appear with options. Look for "Block User" or a similar option — the exact wording can shift between app versions, but it will be near the top of this menu. Tap it, and OfferUp will ask you to confirm. Tap "Block" again to finish.
Once blocked, you will no longer see new messages from that person. Any messages they sent before you blocked them will stay in your inbox, but you cannot reply to them.
Block someone from their profile or a listing
If someone has commented on one of your listings or you have found their profile another way, you can block them without opening a conversation. Tap their profile picture or username to go to their profile page.
On their profile, look for a three-dot menu icon (sometimes called a "more" menu) in the top right corner. Tap it and select "Block User." Confirm the block when prompted.
You can also block someone from a listing they commented on. Open the listing, scroll to the comments, find their comment, and tap the three-dot menu next to it. Select "Block User" from the options that appear.
Unblock someone if you change your mind
Go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right of the app. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top left, then scroll down and select "Settings."
In Settings, look for "Blocked Users" or "Privacy" — the exact location varies by app version. Tap it to see your list of blocked people. Find the person you want to unblock and tap the unblock button next to their name. They will be able to message you and see your listings again.
What happens when you block someone
A blocked user cannot send you new messages, but old messages stay in your inbox. They cannot see your profile, your listings, or any comments you make on other listings. If they try to visit your profile or message you, they will see an error or a message saying the user is not available.
OfferUp does not notify the blocked person that you blocked them. They may figure it out if they try to message you and get an error, but OfferUp does not send a notification saying "You have been blocked."
Blocking is not permanent. You can unblock someone at any time, and there is no record of the block on either account. The person you blocked will not see a notification when you unblock them either.
When to block versus when to report
Block someone if they are being annoying, rude, or making you uncomfortable, but have not broken OfferUp's rules. Block if someone keeps lowballing your price, sends too many messages, or just rubs you the wrong way.
Report someone if they are scamming, harassing, threatening, selling illegal items, or otherwise violating OfferUp's terms of service. A report goes to OfferUp's safety team and can result in that person's account being suspended or removed. You can report someone without blocking them, and you can do both at the same time.
To report someone, tap the three-dot menu on their profile or in a conversation and select "Report User." Describe what they did and submit. OfferUp will review the report, though they may not tell you what action they took.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked person see my old messages?
No. Once you block someone, they cannot see any of your messages, including ones they sent before you blocked them. The conversation disappears from their view. You can still see the old messages on your end, but you cannot reply.
Will they know I blocked them?
OfferUp does not send a notification, so they will not get an alert. They may figure it out if they try to message you and see an error, but OfferUp does not tell them your name or say "You have been blocked."
Can I block someone and still buy from them?
No. When you block someone, you cannot see their listings or contact them. If you want to buy from them, you need to unblock them first. You can unblock and block again anytime.
What if I block someone by mistake?
Go to Settings, find "Blocked Users," and tap the unblock button next to their name. They will be able to message you and see your listings again when ready. There is no waiting period.
Can I block someone who has already scammed me?
Yes, but blocking alone will not get your money back. Block them to prevent future contact, but also report them to OfferUp and consider reporting the scam to your payment provider or local police, depending on how much money was involved.