What blocking does and what it doesn't
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 content you share. If you were already friends, blocking also removes them from your friends list.
Blocking is not the same as unfriending. When you unfriend someone, they can still see your public posts and send you messages unless you block them separately. Blocking is the stronger action — it cuts off all contact and visibility between you and that person.
One thing blocking does not do: it does not hide your past comments on their posts or their posts on your timeline. Those remain visible to other people who can see both of your profiles. If you want to remove an old comment or post, you need to delete it separately.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone removes them from your friends list, hides your profile from them, and stops them from messaging or finding you on Facebook.
- You can block someone from their profile, from a conversation, or from your friends list — the result is the same no matter which route you use.
- The person you block will not receive a notification that you blocked them, but they may notice they can no longer find your profile.
- You can unblock someone at any time by going to your settings and finding them in your blocked list.
- Blocking on Facebook does not affect whether you can see each other on Instagram or Messenger if you use those apps.
How to block someone from their profile
Open the profile of the person you want to block. Look for the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of their profile header — the area that shows their name and profile photo. Tap or click that menu.
A list of options will appear. Select "Block" from that list. Facebook will ask you to confirm. Read the message to understand what blocking does, then select "Block" again to confirm your choice. The block takes effect immediately.
After you block someone, their profile will no longer appear in your search results, and any messages from them will be moved to a separate folder you will not see unless you look for it.
How to block someone from a conversation
If you are messaging with someone through Facebook Messenger or in a chat thread, you can block them without visiting their profile. Open the conversation with that person.
On mobile, swipe left on the conversation (iPhone) or press and hold it (Android), then tap the block icon. On a computer, hover over the conversation and click the three-dot menu, then select "Block."
Blocking from a conversation works the same way as blocking from a profile — the person loses access to your profile and cannot message you. Any existing messages in that conversation remain in your account, but they cannot send new ones.
How to block someone from your friends list
Go to your profile and select "Friends" to see your full friends list. Search for the person's name or scroll to find them. Hover over their name (on a computer) or tap their profile card (on mobile).
A menu will appear with options including "Remove Friend" and "Block." Select "Block." Confirm when Facebook asks you to verify. This removes them from your friends list and blocks them in one action.
What happens after you block someone
The person you blocked cannot see your profile, posts, photos, or story. They cannot send you messages or friend requests. If you were in a group together, they can still see group posts and content, but they cannot see your individual profile or send you direct messages.
If you both have mutual friends, those friends can still see both of your profiles and posts. Blocking only affects what that specific person can see — it does not hide you from everyone else.
The blocked person will not receive a notification saying "You have been blocked." However, if they try to visit your profile or search for you, they will see a message saying the profile is not available or they cannot add you as a friend. They may figure out that you blocked them, but Facebook does not tell them directly.
How to unblock someone
If you change your mind, you can unblock someone at any time. Go to your settings by clicking the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, or the downward arrow on a computer) and select "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings."
Scroll down and select "Blocking." You will see a list of all the people you have blocked. Find the person you want to unblock and click or tap "Unblock" next to their name. Confirm when Facebook asks you to verify.
Unblocking someone does not automatically add them back to your friends list. It simply removes the block, so they can now see your profile, send you messages, and send you a friend request if they want to. You do not have to accept their friend request.
Blocking on Facebook versus other apps
If you block someone on Facebook, that block does not automatically carry over to Instagram or Messenger. You need to block them separately in each app if you want to block them everywhere.
To block someone on Instagram, go to their profile, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Block." To block them on Messenger, open the conversation, tap the person's name at the top, scroll down, and select "Block."
If you use Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger regularly and want to keep someone out of all three, plan to block them in each app individually. The blocks work independently of each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
Facebook does not send a notification. However, if they try to find your profile or message you, they will see that your profile is unavailable or they cannot add you as a friend. They may realize you blocked them, but Facebook does not tell them directly.
Can I block someone without them seeing my profile first?
Yes. You can block someone whether or not they have ever visited your profile or sent you a message. Blocking works the same way regardless of your history with that person.
What if I block someone and then want to be friends again later?
Unblock them first by going to Settings > Blocking and selecting "Unblock" next to their name. After you unblock them, they can send you a friend request, and you can accept it. Unblocking does not automatically make you friends again.
Can I block someone from seeing just one post instead of my whole profile?
No. Facebook does not have a feature to block someone from a single post. Your options are to delete the post, change who can see it (by adjusting privacy settings), or block the person entirely. You cannot block someone from just one piece of content.
If I block someone, can they still see comments I made on mutual friends' posts?
Yes. Blocking only affects what they can see on your profile and in direct messages. Comments you made before the block remain visible on other people's posts, and they can still see those comments. If you want to remove a comment, you need to delete it separately.