How to Block & Unblock Someone on TikTok

Hey there! Have you ever come across an account on TikTok that makes you uncomfortable or you just don‘t want to see their content anymore? As a fellow TikTok user myself, I totally get it. With over 1 billion monthly active users, you‘re bound to encounter some accounts you‘d rather not have in your feed.

Not to worry – TikTok makes it super easy to block and unblock other users right from their profile. I‘ll walk you through exactly how to do it in this guide. I‘ll also share signs that someone may have blocked you plus tips for staying safe on TikTok.

Let‘s get started!

Why You Might Want to Block Someone

Before jumping into the how-to, let‘s first discuss why you might want to block another user in the first place. Here are some of the most common reasons:

Their videos make you uncomfortable or upset. TikTok is for entertainment, but some videos cross the line into offensive, disturbing or dangerous territory. You have every right to block content that negatively impacts your viewing experience or mental health.
They are bullying or harassing you. Unfortunately, cyberbullying is an issue across social media. If another user is repeatedly leaving hurtful comments, sending unwanted DMs, or otherwise harassing you, blocking them is the best solution. This removes their ability to interact with you.
You need a break from their content. We all get tired of seeing the same accounts all the time. Blocking a user gives you a chance to discover new creators for a while. You can always unblock them later.
You don‘t know them. TikTok‘s algorithm constantly suggests new accounts. Feel free to block strangers or accounts you have no interest in.
You used to know them. Similarly, go ahead and block old friends, coworkers, or exes you no longer wish to connect with.

You can block anyone for any reason – it‘s 100% your call. Remember, you control your TikTok experience.

Step-by-Step Guide to Blocking

Blocking someone on TikTok is quick and straightforward. Here‘s how to do it:

On the TikTok Mobile App

Open the profile page of the user you want to block. You can search for their username or click on it from a video or comment.
Tap the three-dot menu button in the upper right corner of their profile.
Select "Block" from the dropdown menu that appears.
Tap "Block" again on the pop-up confirmation window.

And that‘s it – the user will now be blocked from your account! Their profile, videos, and comments will all disappear from your TikTok feed.

On TikTok‘s Website

Blocking a user works the same way on TikTok‘s desktop website:

Go to the profile page of the user you wish to block.
Click the three-dot menu next to "Follow."
Select "Block user" from the menu.
Click "Block" again on the confirmation pop-up.

Just like the mobile app, this will remove the user‘s account and content from your TikTok feed on the website.

Step-by-Step Guide to Unblocking

Had a change of heart and want to unblock someone? No problem! Here‘s how to unblock users on TikTok:

On the Mobile App

Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right to open your menu.
Go to "Settings and privacy" then select "Blocked accounts."
Find the user you want to unblock and tap "Unblock."

Unblocking will remove the user from your blocked list so you‘ll see their profile and videos again.

On TikTok‘s Website

Click your profile icon and select "Settings."
Go to "Privacy" then click "Blocked Accounts."
Locate the user you want to unblock.
Click "Unblock" next to their name to remove them from your block list.

After unblocking on either platform, that user will once again be able to interact with you normally.

Signs Someone May Have Blocked You

How can you tell if someone has blocked you on TikTok? Here are some clues:

You cannot view their profile or videos at all.
Your comments on their content seem to disappear.
You can no longer send them direct messages.
Their videos no longer show up in your Following feed or under hashtags.
Searching their username gives a "user not found" error.

If you notice one or more of these issues suddenly happening with an account you previously interacted with, chances are they blocked you. Unfortunately TikTok doesn‘t directly notify you of blocks, so it can be tricky to confirm.

One way to check is to log out of your account and search for the user from a different profile. If you can view their profile normally when logged out but not from your main account, it‘s a sure sign you‘ve been blocked.

Blocking Best Practices

Now that you know how to block and unblock accounts on TikTok, here are some best practices to keep in mind:

Use blocking judiciously. Avoid blocking just because you disagree with someone or don‘t like their content. For everyday annoyances, use TikTok‘s "Not Interested" button instead.
Don‘t spread negativity. If you block an account due to harassment or bullying, don‘t engage further. Report serious threats to TikTok before blocking.
Check back occasionally. Periodically review your blocked list and unblock users who you feel have changed their behavior. People evolve.
Block sparingly. Blocking too many accounts may negatively impact TikTok‘s algorithm recommendations. Use the feature only when necessary.
Log interactions. If you‘re experiencing severe harassment, take screenshots before blocking as evidence in case you need to report the user later.
Never block out of curiosity. Some users block others just to see if they‘ll notice. This leads to hurt feelings. Only block when absolutely needed.

The Rise of TikTok Blocking

Blocking users is an increasingly common practice on TikTok. In 2021, TikTok began rolling out prompt encouraging users to "block and report this user" on videos containing harassment or hate speech.

According to TikTok, the number of harassment and bullying violations that resulted in account suspensions doubled from the previous year. This indicates more users are utilizing blocking to curb abusive behavior on the platform.

However, a 2022 study found an alarming 60% of teen TikTok users have been bullied on the app. The researchers estimate over 40 million teens have faced harassment on TikTok.

Additionally, TikTok saw a 70% increase in posts removed for violent, graphic, or dangerous content in 2022. It‘s no wonder why regular users increasingly rely on TikTok‘s blocking features.

For many users, blocking has shifted from an occasional usage to a routine safety practice.

Key Takeaways

To recap what we covered in this guide:

You can easily block accounts directly from their profile on mobile or TikTok‘s website.
Unblocking users involves accessing your blocked list in TikTok‘s settings.
Signs you may be blocked include not seeing someone‘s content or profile.
Block judiciously and use reporting for truly dangerous situations.
More users are blocking to avoid harassment and disturbing content.

I hope this guide gave you a better understanding of how to block and unblock accounts on TikTok. Blocking can be an empowering tool to curate your feed when used properly.

Let me know if you have any other TikTok questions! I‘m happy to help walk through features to improve your viewing experience.