Facebook's blocking feature stops someone from seeing your profile, messaging you, or finding you in search
When you block someone on Facebook, they cannot see your profile, posts, or photos. They cannot send you messages, add you as a friend, or find your account through search. You will not see their posts or activity either. The block is one-way — they will not receive a notification that you blocked them, but if they try to visit your profile or search for you, they will see that the account is not available to them.
Blocking is different from unfriending. When you unfriend someone, they can still see your public posts and send you messages unless you block them separately. A block is the strongest privacy tool Facebook offers for keeping someone away from your account.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone prevents them from seeing your profile, posts, messages, and friend list, but they will not be notified that you blocked them.
- You can block someone from their profile, from a conversation, or from your settings — all three methods work the same way.
- Blocking does not delete past messages or comments; it only stops future contact and visibility.
- You can unblock someone at any time from your settings, and they will be able to see your profile again.
- If someone is harassing you, blocking them is faster than reporting, but you can do both.
How to block someone from their Facebook profile
Go to the person's profile. Click the three dots in the top right corner of their profile header (next to the "Message" button on desktop, or at the top of their profile on mobile). Select "Block" from the menu that appears.
Facebook will ask you to confirm. Click "Block [Name]" to finish. The block takes effect immediately. If you are on mobile and do not see the three dots, scroll to the top of their profile — the menu button is usually there.
How to block someone from a conversation or message
Open the conversation with the person you want to block. On desktop, click the information icon (circle with an "i") in the top right of the chat window. On mobile, tap their name at the top of the conversation. Scroll down and select "Block" or "Block Messages."
Confirm the block when prompted. This method blocks them and closes the conversation at the same time. Any messages they sent you will remain in your message history, but they will not be able to send new ones.
How to block someone from your settings
On desktop, click the down arrow in the top right corner of Facebook and select "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings." On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and go to "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings."
Select "Blocking" from the left menu (desktop) or scroll down to find it (mobile). Type the person's name in the "Block users" box and click their name when it appears. Click "Block" to confirm. You can block multiple people this way without visiting their profiles.
What happens when you block someone
The person you blocked will no longer see your profile when they search for you or try to visit it directly. Any posts you made before the block will disappear from their view. They cannot see your friend list, photos, or any information on your profile. If you had mutual friends, they will not see comments or posts you make on those friends' pages.
Messages you sent to them before the block will remain in their inbox, but they cannot reply. If they try to message you, the message will not go through. They cannot tag you in photos or posts, and you will not see their activity in your news feed.
Unblocking someone and what to expect
To unblock someone, go to Settings, select "Blocking," and find their name in the "Blocked users" list. Click "Unblock" next to their name. Once you unblock them, they can see your profile again and send you messages, but they will not be notified that you unblocked them.
Unblocking does not automatically re-add them as a friend. If you were friends before the block, you will need to send them a friend request again. Any messages or comments they made before the block will still be visible to them, but the conversation will not reopen automatically.
Blocking versus reporting: when to use each
Blocking stops someone from contacting you and seeing your profile. Reporting tells Facebook that someone is breaking the platform's rules — harassment, threats, spam, or other violations. You can do both at the same time.
If someone is harassing you repeatedly, threatening you, or posting content that violates Facebook's policies, report them in addition to blocking. Reports go to Facebook's safety team and may result in the person's account being suspended or removed. Blocking only affects what they can see on your account; it does not stop them from using Facebook or contacting others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
No. Facebook does not send a notification when you block someone. However, if they try to visit your profile or search for you, they will see a message saying the profile is not available. Some people figure out they are blocked by trying to find you, but Facebook does not tell them directly.
Can I block someone without unfriending them first?
Yes. Blocking automatically removes the friendship, so you do not need to unfriend first. When you unblock them later, you will not be friends again — you will need to send a new friend request.
What if someone creates a new account to contact me after I block them?
If the same person contacts you from a different account, that is a new account and the original block does not apply to it. You can block the new account the same way. If the harassment continues across multiple accounts, report it to Facebook as harassment or abuse — they can take action against the person rather than just individual accounts.
Can I block someone on Messenger without blocking them on Facebook?
On Messenger, you can restrict someone (which hides their messages) or block them. Blocking someone on Messenger also blocks them on Facebook. There is no way to block them only on Messenger and not on Facebook.
Does blocking someone delete our past messages?
No. Messages you exchanged before the block remain in your message history. You can still read them, but the person cannot send new messages and cannot see that you read theirs. If you want to delete the conversation, you can do that separately from blocking.