Being blocked on Facebook can be frustrating and confusing. You may suddenly find yourself unable to view someone’s profile, contact them, or see any of their posts. Unfortunately, Facebook does not directly notify users if they have been blocked by someone else. However, there are several signs you can look for to determine if you have likely been blocked on Facebook.
Signs You May Have Been Blocked
Here are some of the most common signs that you may have been blocked by someone on Facebook:
You can’t view their Facebook profile
If you search for their name or profile and it doesn’t come up in search results, or you get an error message saying the content is unavailable, this is a strong sign you have been blocked. Facebook completely removes blocked users’ access to the blocker’s profile and timeline.
Your messages to them will not go through
If your Facebook messages to the person keep failing to send and you get error notifications, it likely means you have been blocked. Blocked users cannot send any messages, whether private, group or event messages, to the person who blocked them.
You can’t start a new conversation thread with them
When you try to start a new Facebook message thread with the person who may have blocked you, the option will not be available. The ‘New Message’ button will be missing from their profile, stopping you from initiating any conversations.
You don’t see their posts in your News Feed
If you suddenly stop seeing any posts from a specific person in your Facebook News Feed, this can indicate they have blocked you. Even if you are still friends on Facebook, blocking prevents their posts from appearing to you.
You can’t tag them or invite them to events
If the options to tag the person in posts/photos or invite them to events are gone, this points to you likely being blocked. Blocked users cannot interact with the blocker’s profile in any way, including tagging or invites.
You can’t start a video call or call with them
The options to start a video call (using Facebook Messenger or the apps Portal, Spark AR and Live) or voice call with the person will disappear if you are blocked. Blocked users lose the ability to contact the blocker through calls.
Your comments don’t show up on their posts
If you notice that your comments on the person’s public posts don’t show up, or that you can’t comment at all, this indicates you have probably been blocked. Blocked users cannot comment on any of the blocker’s Facebook posts.
You are removed as a subscriber from their profile
If you get notifications that say you have been removed or are no longer subscribed to the person’s public posts, there’s a high chance you have been blocked. Their profile is completely removed from your view if blocked.
Your friend request to them is rejected
In most cases, if you send a new friend request to the person and it is rejected, it means they have blocked you. Blocked users will be unable to send friend requests, so rejections typically signify being blocked.
You can’t add them to groups
You’ll find yourself unable to add a blocked person when creating new groups or adding members to existing groups. Blocked users are restricted from interacting with the blocker’s profile in any way.
Mutual friends have disappeared
When viewing their profile or posts, you may notice there are now zero mutual friends displayed, even if you had many before. Being blocked hides mutual connections with the blocker.
You can’t react to their posts or see mutual reactions
The ability to react or comment on the person’s public posts will disappear, and you won’t be able to see which of your mutual friends have also reacted. Blocking stops all interaction with posts.
You can’t see their friends list or photos
A blocked user loses access to viewing the blocker’s friends list and photos. If you can no longer see these sections of their profile, it’s probable you have been blocked.
You can’t see their posts in groups
In groups where you are both still members, posts specifically made by the person who blocked you will now be invisible to you. You may notice their older posts are gone too.
You appear logged out of chat apps
If you appear logged out of Messenger or the chat functions when interacting with the person, this indicates you very likely have been blocked. Blocking makes you seem offline.
Things That Don’t Necessarily Mean You’re Blocked
Some other signs like unfriending or removing tags may simply indicate the person wants distance from you, not that you are outright blocked. Here are some examples:
They unfriended or unfollowed you
Unfriending just removes a Facebook friendship, while unfollowing stops their public posts from appearing in your feed. But you can still view each other’s full profiles unless they also block you.
They limited who can see their posts
If their old posts are no longer visible either, it may be because they changed their post audience settings, not just blocking. Changing to friends/family only will hide posts from non-connections.
They removed tags of you
Untagging you from their posts doesn’t automatically equal blocking. They may do it to dissociate their profile from yours publicly.
Your comment was deleted from their post
If just one comment disappeared, they likely deleted it individually, not because you’re blocked. But if you can’t comment at all, blocking is more likely.
You can’t see Stories they posted
Stories are only visible to the audience chosen by the creator. If they changed the audience, you may lose access unless blocked specifically.
They changed their privacy settings
Enabling higher privacy settings can also prevent non-friends from seeing posts or search results without necessarily blocking anyone.
Ways to Tell For Sure If You’re Blocked on Facebook
While the signs above may indicate you have likely been blocked, here are some ways to confirm it officially:
Ask a mutual friend
Have a friend you share in common check if they can still view the person’s full profile. If they can and you can’t, it’s certain you were blocked specifically.
Check from a different account
Use a secondary Facebook account or temporarily create a new one to test if you can view the person’s profile or send them a message. If you can access them normally, blocking was personalized.
See if the person told you
In some cases, the blocker may have directly informed you they intended to block you, taking away any uncertainty. But this is fairly rare on Facebook.
Use the Facebook Blocked List tool
This unofficial third-party website can identify Facebook users who have blocked you when you enter your Facebook ID. It compares their block list to your friends list.
Try social media management platforms
Sites like Social Animal and Socialert can track analytics like recent unfollowers and make it clear if you lost access to someone due to blocking.
See if old messages are deleted
If all previous Facebook messages with the person disappeared, not just new ones failing, this signals they deleted the conversation which automatically occurs when you block someone.
Reasons You May Have Been Blocked on Facebook
Here are some common reasons why someone may have chosen to block you on Facebook specifically:
You posted excessively
If you frequently flooded their profile or News Feed with too many posts, comments, tags, invites, or reactions, they may have found it overbearing and blocked you to limit the notifications.
You had an argument
Disputes that grew heated or hostile exchanges of insults are prime reasons to spur someone to block another user and cut off contact on Facebook altogether.
They ended your relationship
Past friends, dating partners and spouses often block their exes post-breakup to distance themselves emotionally and gain space.
You made unwanted advances
Repeated flirtatious messages, friend requests or inappropriate comments after being rejected can lead people to decide to block.
You don’t actually know them
Users may block random friend requests or messages from people they don’t know in real life to avoid unwanted contact from strangers.
You offended them
Very offensive, insensitive, or rude language directed at someone is grounds for blocking, especially when used publicly rather than privately.
Theyfind you untrustworthy
Sharing private data without permission, lying, spreading rumors about the person or other deceit may have damaged their trust enough to warrant blocking you.
Youdon’t respect boundaries
Not taking no for an answer when repeatedly asking for dates, favors, or access to things like contact details.
You were inappropriate
Harassment, unwanted sexual language, stalking their profile, or general creepiness could understandably inspire blocking.
You had personal differences
Incompatible worldviews, lifestyles, opinions, tastes, or values can sometimes make people decide to simply cut ties and block.
You bullied or threatened them
Cruel insults, verbal abuse and threats tend to make the victim block their bully for their own well-being and avoidance of future harassment.
Theyfind interacting with you negative
If talking to you consistently brings them down, makes them angry/sad, or drains their emotional energy, blocking can be used to preserve their mental health.
You shared confidential information
Spreading someone’s private messages, images, secrets or details without their approval is a huge violation of trust that often ends in blocking.
You had too much drama
Some people block anyone who involves them in arguments, controversies, gossip, and other social media drama to avoid the headache it causes them.
Theyfind you annoying
Overbearing, clingy, obsessive, or exasperating behaviors can push people to their limit until they block just for a peace of mind.
You threatened to harm yourself
Highly manipulative threats of self-harm may drive others to block you to avoid emotional blackmail and harassment, despite caring about your safety.
Political differences
In today’s polarized climate, clashing political opinions and unwillingness to accept differences can cause enough resentment for some to block.
You were needy and draining
Constant demands for time, attention, favors, and validation from others may exhaust people until they resort to blocking for self-preservation.
You triggered past traumas
Saying or doing things that inadvertently exploit someone’s emotional wounds may result in blocking for self-protection, even if causing harm was unintentional.
What to Do If You Have Been Blocked on Facebook
Finding out you were blocked by someone on Facebook can certainly be upsetting. Here are some tips on how to handle it:
Respect their decision
Even if you disagree with their reasons, you must respect their choice to block you and maintain their personal boundaries on Facebook.
Reflect on what happened
Think about your past interactions to understand what could have reasonably prompted them to make this decision, instead of assigning blame.
Give them space
Harassing them from other accounts or asking mutual connections to intervene will only worsen the situation. Give them distance.
Learn from the experience
Consider how you could improve your social media conduct in the future to avoid this outcome with others.
Focus on other relationships
Don’t dwell on someone who blocked you. Shift your energy towards people who don’t limit contact with you.
Wait it out
With time and space, the person who blocked you may cool off and reconsider. But let them make the first move.
Apologize if warranted
If your actions clearly crossed a line, a sincere apology may help reopen communication once enough time has passed.
Let them go
Accept that some relationships can’t or shouldn’t be repaired. Making peace with their absence may be healthiest.
Don’t take it personally
Try not to make assumptions about what being blocked says about you as a person. It’s usually not that deep.
Focus on your mental health
Blocking can impact self-esteem. Counter its effects by engaging in fulfilling hobbies, hanging with supportive friends, exercising self-care.
Seek closure if needed
In some cases, writing a letter expressing your thoughts and feelings may help provide closure, even if you don’t send it.
Conclusion
Being blocked on Facebook can certainly be confusing and hurtful at first. But with time and perspective, most people are able to move past it. Focus on caring for yourself, upholding your values, and finding meaning in other areas of life. If the blocking was justified, let it motivate you to improve and make amends when appropriate. In many cases, patience and understanding can help reconnect the relationship down the road.
| Signs You May Have Been Blocked |
|---|
| You can’t view their Facebook profile |
| Your messages to them will not go through |
| You can’t start a new conversation thread with them |
| You don’t see their posts in your News Feed |
| You can’t tag them or invite them to events |
| You can’t start a video call or call with them |
| Your comments don’t show up on their posts |
| You are removed as a subscriber from their profile |
| Your friend request to them is rejected |
| You can’t add them to groups |
| Mutual friends have disappeared |
| You can’t react to their posts or see mutual reactions |
| You can’t see their friends list or photos |
| You can’t see their posts in groups |
| You appear logged out of chat apps |
| Reasons You May Have Been Blocked |
|---|
| You posted excessively |
| You had an argument |
| They ended your relationship |
| You made unwanted advances |
| You don’t actually know them |
| You offended them |
| They find you untrustworthy |
| You don’t respect boundaries |
| You were inappropriate |
| You had personal differences |
| You bullied or threatened them |
| They find interacting with you negative |
| You shared confidential information |
| You had too much drama |
| They find you annoying |
| You threatened to harm yourself |
| Political differences |
| You were needy and draining |
| You triggered past traumas |