Being on Facebook means you will inevitably encounter people you don’t want to connect with. Whether it’s an ex, a former friend, or even a family member, we all have contacts we would rather avoid on the platform. So what happens when you block someone on Facebook? Here’s a look at what they can and can’t see once you block them.
What is blocking on Facebook?
Blocking someone on Facebook prevents them from seeing things you post, starting conversations with you, adding you as a friend, or inviting you to events or groups. It’s a way to cut off contact with someone while still allowing both people to remain on the platform.
When you block someone, they are no longer your Facebook friend. Any current posts on your timeline remain visible to them, but new posts after you block them will not show up. They will also be unable to tag you in posts, pictures, or other content.
What can someone see if you block them?
Once blocked, the person can no longer see things you post. However, there are still some limited things a blocked person can see about you:
- Your Facebook profile picture and cover photo
- Your name
- Your gender
- Your username and User ID (if visible)
- Any groups you have in common
They will be able to do searches for you and access your profile just like any non-friend can. But the majority of your profile and timeline will be hidden from their view.
What can’t someone see if you block them?
Blocking someone prevents them from seeing the most important parts of your Facebook presence. Here are some key things a blocked person will not be able to see:
- Your posts and status updates
- Photos and videos you’re tagged in
- Stories or check-ins
- Contact information
- Updated profile and cover photos
- Life events
Basically all current and future postings are off limits. They also cannot leave comments on any public content you do have.
Can they tell if you’ve blocked them?
This is one of the most common questions about blocking on Facebook. So can a blocked user tell that you have blocked them? The short answer is no. Facebook does not directly notify someone if they have been blocked. So the blocked person will not get any kind of alert or message about being blocked.
However, there are some signs that might lead them to figure it out:
- Your name disappears from their friend list
- Chat and messaging with you ends
- They can no longer tag you in posts
- Your updates and posts no longer show up
- Any tags or mentions of you say “Facebook User”
If the person tries to interact with you and keeps finding barriers, they’ll likely put two and two together and determine you must have blocked them. But it will not be officially confirmed to them by Facebook.
What happens when you block someone on messenger?
Blocking on Messenger works similarly to blocking a Facebook friend. When you block someone in messenger:
- You stop receiving their messages
- Your messages disappear from their inbox
- You disappear from each other’s contact lists
- You can no longer call or video chat each other
One key difference is they will get a notice saying you are “unavailable” on messenger. So blocking here is a bit more obvious than a standard Facebook block.
Can you unblock someone on Facebook?
Yes, unblocking on Facebook is just as easy as blocking. Just go back to your blocked list under settings and click Unblock next to the person’s name. When you remove the block, things go back to how they were before:
- They are added back as a friend
- They can again see all posts, photos, etc.
- Messaging and tagging abilities are restored
- You both reappear in each other’s contact lists
One thing that does not get reversed is any past blocking on posts and tags. Anything they could not see or interact with while blocked will remain off limits to them.
Can you tell if you are blocked by someone?
Just as other users cannot directly tell if they are blocked, you also cannot definitively tell if someone has blocked you. But there are signs to look out for:
- You disappear from their friends list
- Your messages and chat stop going through
- You can no longer tag them in posts
- You don’t see their updates in your newsfeed
If you are experiencing this kind of one-way contact, changes are you have been blocked. There is no notification from Facebook though, so you can’t know 100% for sure.
Should you block or unfollow someone?
In addition to blocking, you also have the option to unfollow someone on Facebook. This stops their posts from appearing in your newsfeed but keeps the person as a friend. Here are key differences between blocking and unfollowing:
| Blocking | Unfollowing |
|---|---|
| Cuts off all contact | Stops seeing posts but remain friends |
| Prevents any back and forth | Can still message and interact |
| They don’t know they are blocked | They don’t know they are unfollowed |
| Strongest way to disconnect | More subtle way to take a break |
In general, blocking is the way to go if you want to completely remove the person from your Facebook experience. Unfollowing works if you still want to stay connected but need a break from their updates.
Conclusion
Blocking on Facebook cuts off your contact with another person without removing either of you from the platform. While not directly notified, the blocked person can usually tell something is wrong when they can no longer interact with you.
Overall blocking is a useful tool for managing your Facebook connections. Use it sparingly and only when truly necessary. And don’t take offense if you notice someone has blocked you – it’s just their way of creating healthier digital boundaries.