How to Block Someone on Reddit (App, Website and Old Reddit)

Most Reddit threads are fine. Then one account keeps replying to everything you write, or sends messages you never asked for, and the whole app starts to feel like hard work. Blocking is the quickest way to take that voice out of your day without making a fuss.

It also works differently from blocking on other apps, and a couple of the effects surprised me when I read Reddit's help pages. Here are the steps first, then what blocking really does.

Blocking someone on Reddit from their profile

This is the fastest route, and Reddit's help centre gives the same idea on the website and both phone apps:

1. Open the person's profile by selecting their username.
2. Select the overflow menu (the three dots). On the website it sits in the profile card.
3. Choose the block option.
4. Confirm if Reddit asks you to.

On old.reddit.com the block option is in the right sidebar of their profile, under chat. If you're a long-time user who never moved over, that's where to look.

Blocking a Reddit account from your settings

You can also block someone without opening their profile, which is handy if you only have the username to hand:

• On reddit.com: open your Privacy settings, find the blocked accounts section under Social interactions, type the username and save.
• On the apps: go to Settings, tap your username, open Manage blocked accounts under Safety, search for the username and tap Block.

What happens to you and them once you block on Reddit

This is where Reddit is a bit unusual. According to its help article on how blocking works:

• The blocked account can't view your profile.
• Your posts and comments show as deleted to them: your username becomes [deleted] and the body becomes [unavailable]. Post titles stay visible.
• You can't open their profile, and their posts don't appear in any feed, including community feeds.
• If you land on one of their comments or a direct link, it's collapsed, though you can expand it.
• Neither of you can reply to, vote on or award the other's posts or comments.
• You can't send each other direct messages or chat requests.

In other words, it's close to a two-way wall. They can't easily reply to you, and you stop seeing them around the site.

The limits of blocking on Reddit that catch people out

Blocking doesn't do everything, and it's better to know that before you rely on it:

• Group chats: blocking someone doesn't remove them from group chats you're both in. You can still see and interact with them there.
• Moderators: blocking a moderator is different. They can still see, reply to and take action on your posts and comments in communities they moderate.
• Ads: blocking doesn't apply to ads. Reddit has a separate reporting process for those.
• The cap: you can block up to 1,000 users. After that, you have to unblock someone before you can block anyone new.

If the person is a moderator of a community you post in, think about whether blocking helps. They'll keep their moderator powers, so you may be better off reading that community's rules and speaking to the mod team.

Blocking versus reporting someone on Reddit

Blocking protects you. It does nothing about the rule-breaking itself. Reddit suggests reporting users who break its rules, for example through harassment or threats, and you can do both. Report the specific post, comment or chat message first, then block if you want to cut off contact.

If someone is threatening you or you feel unsafe, report it to Reddit and, if you're in danger, contact the police. Blocking on its own isn't a safety plan.

Unblocking someone on Reddit

If you change your mind, the steps live in settings. On Android, Reddit's help says to tap your avatar, open the menu, choose Settings, open the account settings for your username, scroll to manage blocked accounts and tap unblock next to the name. Menus vary by app version, so look for the same wording on iPhone.

Blocking on Reddit for creators and business accounts

If you run a brand account or build an audience, you'll meet more than your share of difficult people. A few habits help:

• Reply once, politely, if there's a real question. Block if the same person keeps going.
• Don't block people just for disagreeing. A calm answer in public often does more for your reputation.
• Keep screenshots of anything threatening before you block, so you can report it later.

I'd also read my notes on using Reddit for lead generation, because a friendly, helpful presence means you'll block far fewer people. The same idea applies on other apps, and my guide on blocking people on Snapchat covers the Snapchat version.

Frequently asked questions

How do I block someone on Reddit?

Open their profile, select the overflow menu (three dots) and choose the block option. You can also block from your settings by typing the username under blocked accounts.

Does the person know I blocked them on Reddit?

Reddit's help doesn't describe a notification, but your posts and comments show as deleted to them, so they may work it out.

Can I still see a blocked person's comments?

Their posts don't appear in feeds. If you find a comment or follow a direct link, it's collapsed, and you can expand it.

Does blocking remove someone from a group chat?

No. Reddit says blocking doesn't remove them from group chats you're both in, and you can still see and interact with them there.

Is there a limit on blocking people on Reddit?

Yes. Reddit's help says you can block up to 1,000 users. After that you must unblock some before blocking more.

Should I report someone as well as blocking them?

If they broke Reddit's rules, yes. Reddit suggests reporting harassment or threats as well as blocking, and the report is what lets Reddit act.