Blocking a Buyer or Seller on Facebook Marketplace (Every Device)

Everyone who sells online gets the same few messages eventually: the endless lowball offers, the 'is this still available?' on repeat, the person who won't take no for an answer. Blocking is the quickest way to stop it. The catch is that blocking someone you met through Facebook Marketplace isn't a Facebook Marketplace-only action, and that surprises a lot of people.

This page follows Facebook's own help article on the topic, so you'll know exactly what changes when you block, how to do it on a computer and in the phone app, and how to undo it.

What blocking does to a Facebook Marketplace contact

Facebook is clear on this: when you block a profile that's messaging you about a Facebook Marketplace listing, you're blocking that profile on Facebook as a whole. The help article lists what changes:

• You can't see each other's listings on Facebook Marketplace.
• You can't send each other any new messages.
• You and the person you blocked can both still see messages sent before the block.
• Buyers and sellers will still be able to see ratings and reviews, even from profiles they've blocked.

The last point matters if you sell regularly. Blocking someone who left you a poor review doesn't remove that review. Facebook adds one detail: if you block a seller after posting a seller review about them, your review will no longer be visible to the public.

Blocking a Facebook Marketplace buyer or seller on a computer

Because it's a regular Facebook block, the steps start from the person's profile. On a computer:

1. Go to the profile you want to block.
2. Click Options.
3. Click Block, then click Confirm to finish.

You can also add someone from your settings, which helps if you can't reach their profile any more:

1. Click your profile picture in the top right of Facebook.
2. Select Settings & privacy, then click Settings.
3. In the menu, click Blocking under Audience and visibility.
4. In the Block profiles and Pages section, click Edit, then click Add to blocked list.
5. Type the name, click Block next to it, then click Confirm.

Blocking a Facebook Marketplace buyer or seller on iPhone or Android

For the phone app, Facebook lists these steps for iPhone:

1. Go to the profile you want to block.
2. Tap Options.
3. Tap Block, then tap Block again to confirm.

And through settings:

1. Tap Menu in the top left of Facebook.
2. Scroll down, tap Settings & privacy, then tap Settings.
3. Under Audience and visibility, tap Blocking.
4. Tap Add to blocked list and enter the profile's name.
5. On the search results page, tap Block next to the right person, then tap Block again.

If you're having trouble finding the profile, Facebook suggests trying an email address linked to the profile. Menu names can differ slightly on Android, so follow the closest match.

What the blocked person can and can't do on Facebook

After a block, Facebook says the blocked profile won't be able to see posts from you, tag you in posts, comments or photos, invite you to events or groups, start a conversation with you or add you as a friend. Neither of you is notified: Facebook says profiles and Pages won't be told when you block them.

Facebook also adds a realistic warning: blocking may not stop every interaction, for example in apps or groups you both belong to. And if the person has more than one profile, blocking one doesn't block the others, so you may need to block a second account separately.

Blocking versus reporting on Facebook Marketplace

If you want to	Use
Stop someone contacting you	Block
Tell Facebook someone broke its rules	Report
Do both	Block first, then report from their page if you can still reach it

Facebook says that if you think someone has violated its Commerce Policies or Community Standards, you should report them as well. I'd treat blocking as the personal fix and reporting as the one that helps other people too.

Unblocking someone you met on Facebook Marketplace

Changed your mind, or blocked the wrong person? On a computer, click your profile picture, choose Settings & privacy, then Settings, click Blocking under Audience and visibility, click Edit in the Block profiles and Pages section, choose See your blocked list, then click Unblock and Confirm. On the phone app, open Menu, Settings & privacy, Settings, Blocking, and tap Unblock next to the name, then confirm.

Two warnings from Facebook: if you block and then unblock a profile, you'll need to send it a new friend request if you want to be friends again, and you won't be able to block it again for a few days. If friend requests are what you're after, my page on adding friends on Facebook covers that side.

Staying private after blocking someone from Facebook Marketplace

Blocking limits contact, but it's still wise to be careful about what you share while selling. Keep addresses and personal details out of listings and meet in public places. If you ever wonder what Facebook itself knows about your whereabouts, my explainer on whether Facebook tracks your location is worth a read. And if someone is threatening you, report it and contact the police.

If you can't block someone on Facebook Marketplace

1. Go to their profile directly rather than the listing.
2. Try the Blocking page in Settings and search by name or linked email.
3. Check you haven't unblocked a profile recently, since Facebook asks you to wait a few days before blocking it again.
4. Update the Facebook app and try again, as menus vary by version.

This guide is part of my Facebook Help: 80 Guides to Pages, Groups, Ads, Stories and Fixes.

Frequently asked questions

Does blocking someone on Facebook Marketplace block them on Facebook?

Yes. Facebook says blocking a profile that's messaging you on Facebook Marketplace blocks that profile on Facebook.

Can a blocked person still see my listings?

Facebook says you can't see each other's listings on Facebook Marketplace after a block.

Will they be told I blocked them?

Facebook says profiles and Pages won't be notified when you block them.

Can I block someone again straight after unblocking them?

Facebook says that if you unblock a profile or Page, you won't be able to block it again for a few days.

Do blocked people still see my reviews?

Facebook says buyers and sellers can still see ratings and reviews, even from profiles they've blocked.