Blocking stops someone from seeing your profile and contacting you
When you block someone on Facebook, they cannot see your profile, posts, or story. They cannot send you messages, tag you in photos, or add you as a friend. If you were already friends, blocking also removes them from your friends list. 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 and see an error message.
Blocking is different from unfriending. When you unfriend someone, they can still see your public posts and send you messages unless you also block them. Blocking is the stronger option when you want complete separation from someone.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone removes them from your friends list, hides your profile from them, and prevents them from messaging or tagging you.
- You can block someone from their profile, from a conversation, or from your friends list — the result is the same regardless of where you start.
- You can unblock someone at any time, and blocking does not prevent them from creating a new account to contact you.
- Facebook does not notify the person you blocked, but they may discover it by trying to visit your profile or search for you.
How to block someone from their Facebook profile
Go to the person's profile page. You can find them by searching their name in the search bar at the top of Facebook, or by clicking on their name in a comment, message, or post.
Once you are on their profile, look for the three dots (•••) in the top right corner of their profile header, near their name and profile picture. Click those dots. A menu will appear with several options. Select "Block" from that menu. Facebook will ask you to confirm — click "Block" again to finish.
After you block someone, their profile will no longer appear in your search results, and any messages from them will move to a separate folder you will not see unless you look for it.
How to block someone from a Facebook message or conversation
Open the conversation with the person you want to block. At the top of the message thread, you will see their name and a small information icon (an "i" in a circle). Click that icon.
A panel will open on the right side showing details about the conversation. Scroll down in that panel until you see the "Block" option. Click it, and Facebook will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, that person is blocked and cannot message you again.
How to block someone from your friends list
Go to your own profile and click "Friends" to see your full friends list. Search for the person's name in that list, or scroll to find them. Hover over their name or profile picture.
A menu icon (three dots) will appear. Click it and select "Block" from the options. Confirm the block when Facebook asks you to.
What happens after 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. If you were tagged in photos or posts together, those tags will still exist, but the blocked person cannot click on your name to reach your profile.
If the blocked person tries to message you, their message will not go through. They may see an error message, or the message may appear to send but will actually go nowhere. Any existing messages between you will remain in your message history, but you will not receive new ones from them.
The blocked person can still see posts you make on other people's profiles or in groups you both belong to, but they cannot interact with those posts or see your profile from the link.
How to unblock someone
Go to your Facebook settings by clicking the down arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page. Select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Privacy," then scroll down to find "Blocked people."
You will see a list of everyone you have blocked. Find the person you want to unblock and click "Unblock" next to their name. Facebook will ask you to confirm. Once you unblock someone, they can message you, see your profile, and add you as a friend again — but they will not automatically be added back to your friends list.
Things to know about blocking
Blocking someone does not prevent them from creating a new Facebook account to contact you. If someone is harassing you and creates new accounts to get around a block, you can report each new account to Facebook. You can also adjust your message settings so that only people in your friends list can message you, which will stop new accounts from reaching you directly.
If you block someone and then later want to add them as a friend again, you must unblock them first. You cannot send a friend request to someone who is blocked.
Blocking is private — the person you block will not see a notification. However, if they try to visit your profile or search for you, they may realize they have been blocked because they will see a message saying the profile is not available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I blocked them?
Facebook does not send a notification, but they may figure it out if they try to visit your profile and see an error, or if they notice your profile no longer appears in their search results. There is no way for them to know for certain without trying to contact you.
If I block someone, can they still see old messages between us?
No. Once you block someone, they cannot see your old messages or the conversation thread. The messages remain in your own message history, but they are hidden from the blocked person's view.
What is the difference between blocking and restricting someone?
Restricting is less severe than blocking. When you restrict someone, they remain your friend, but they can only see posts you mark as public. They cannot see your other posts, and you will not see their activity. Blocking removes them entirely and prevents all contact.
If I unblock someone, do we become friends again?
No. Unblocking only removes the block — it does not restore your friendship. You will both need to send friend requests to connect again.
Can I block someone on Facebook Messenger without blocking them on Facebook?
No. Blocking on Messenger automatically blocks them on Facebook, and blocking on Facebook automatically blocks them on Messenger. The block applies across both platforms at once.