Blocking and tagging are two of the most used Facebook features, and also two of the most searched for, since their exact steps are not always obvious. Here is how each one works.
How to block someone on Facebook
Blocking prevents someone from seeing your profile, tagging you, messaging you or finding you in search.
- Go to the person’s profile, or search for their name.
- Click the three-dot menu on their profile, or go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then “Blocking”.
- Select “Block”, confirm, and Facebook applies the block immediately.
The blocked person is not notified that you blocked them. To reverse it later, go to Settings, then “Blocking”, find their name in your block list, and select “Unblock”.
How to tag someone on Facebook
Tagging links someone’s name to a post, comment or photo, and usually notifies them.
- While writing a post or comment, type @ followed by the person’s name.
- Select their profile from the list that appears.
- To tag someone in a photo, open the photo, click “Tag Photo” or the tag icon, then click on the person and select their name.
Controlling who can tag you
If you would rather approve tags before they appear on your profile, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then “Profile and tagging”, and turn on tag review. This lets you approve or reject tags before they become visible.
Frequently asked questions
Does blocking someone delete our message history?
Blocking removes their ability to message you going forward, but existing messages may remain in your inbox depending on the platform and version.
Can I tag someone who is not my friend?
Depending on their privacy settings, you may only be able to tag people who allow tagging from non-friends, or the tag may require their approval first.