Blocking a friend removes their access to your profile and messages
When you block someone on Facebook, they can no longer see your profile, posts, or story. They cannot message you, tag you in photos, or find your account through search. The block is one-way — they won't receive a notification that you blocked them, but if they try to visit your profile or search for you, they'll see that your account isn't available to them.
Blocking is different from unfriending. When you unfriend someone, they can still see your public posts and your profile (unless you've set it to private), and they can message you. A block cuts off all contact and visibility. If you want to hide from someone but keep the friendship technically intact, unfriending is the gentler option. If you want a complete separation, blocking is what you need.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone on Facebook hides your entire profile from them and prevents them from messaging or finding you through search.
- The person you block will not receive a notification, but they can discover the block if they try to visit your profile or search for your name.
- 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.
- If you change your mind, you can unblock someone at any time through your blocked list in settings.
- Blocking does not delete past messages or comments — those remain visible to both of you in your own accounts, but they cannot interact with you going forward.
How to block someone from their Facebook profile
The most straightforward way to block is from the person's profile page. Open their profile, look for the three-dot menu icon (usually in the top right corner of their cover photo area), and tap or click it. A menu will appear with several options. Select "Block" from that menu.
Facebook will ask you to confirm. It will tell you what blocking does — that the person won't be able to see your profile, message you, or find you in search. Read through this confirmation screen, then tap or click "Block" again to confirm. The block takes effect immediately.
How to block someone from a Facebook message or conversation
If you're already in a conversation with someone and want to block them, open the message thread. At the top of the conversation, you'll see their name and a three-dot menu icon to the right. Tap or click that menu, and select "Block" from the options that appear. Confirm the block when Facebook asks you to.
This method is useful if someone is messaging you and you want to stop the conversation without having to navigate to their profile first. The result is identical — they're blocked from your account entirely.
How to block someone from your friends list
You can also block directly from your friends list without visiting their profile. Go to your profile, select "Friends," and find the person you want to block. Hover over or tap their name, and a menu will appear with options including "Block." Select it and confirm.
This approach works well if you're going through your friends list and want to remove and block multiple people quickly. Each block is independent — blocking one person does not affect your other friendships.
What happens to past messages and comments after you block
Blocking does not erase your message history. Messages you've already exchanged will still appear in your own message folder, and you can read them whenever you want. The blocked person can also still see those old messages on their end. What changes is that neither of you can send new messages to each other.
Similarly, if the person commented on your posts before you blocked them, those comments remain visible on the posts. You can delete their comments manually if you want, but blocking alone doesn't remove them. Going forward, they cannot comment on anything new you post.
How to unblock someone if you change your mind
If you decide you want to unblock someone, go to your Facebook settings. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) and go to "Settings and privacy," then "Settings."
Look for "Blocking" in the left sidebar (on a computer) or scroll down to find it (on a phone). You'll see a list of everyone you've blocked. Find the person you want to unblock and click or tap "Unblock" next to their name. Confirm when Facebook asks you to. Once unblocked, they can message you again and see your profile as they did before.
What the blocked person will see
When someone is blocked, they won't see a notification saying "You've been blocked." However, if they try to visit your profile directly (by typing your name in the search bar or clicking an old link), they'll see a message saying your profile isn't available. If they search for your name, your account won't appear in the results.
If they try to message you, the message will not go through, and they may see an error or a message saying they can't contact you. Some people figure out they're blocked by testing these actions. There's no way to block someone completely invisibly — they can discover it if they try to interact with you — but they won't be told directly by Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
Facebook doesn't send a notification, but they can figure it out if they try to visit your profile or message you. They'll see that your account isn't available to them. There's no completely invisible way to block someone.
Can I block someone without unfriending them first?
No — when you block someone, Facebook automatically unfriends them at the same time. You don't need to unfriend separately. If you want to keep the friendship but hide your posts, unfriending alone is the better option.
If I unblock someone, will they know?
No. Unblocking is silent. They won't receive a notification. They'll only know if they try to contact you and the message goes through, or if they search for you and your profile appears again.
Can I block someone on Facebook but still see their profile?
No. Blocking is mutual in terms of visibility — you cannot see their profile either. If you want to see their posts without them seeing yours, unfriend them instead and adjust your privacy settings to hide your profile from them.
What if someone blocks me — can I still see their posts?
No. If someone blocks you, you cannot see their profile, posts, or story. You also cannot message them or find them in search. The block works both ways for visibility, even though only one person initiated it.