How to Block Someone on Instagram, and How to Unblock Them
Block from their profile in three taps. What a block does to likes, comments and new accounts, whether they're told, and how to unblock someone.
To block someone on Instagram, open their profile, tap the three dots in the top right, then tap Block and confirm. They aren't told. Instagram's Help Center says "People aren't notified when you block them." The block reaches further than one account, too. It "will block their account, other existing accounts they may have or any new accounts they may create." Their likes and comments come off your posts, and unblocking won't bring them back.
We read Instagram's Help Center and its safety guide as Google shows them on October 23, 2026. We didn't block anyone on a live account.
How do you block someone on Instagram?
- Open their profile. Tap their username on a post, a story or a comment.
- Tap the three dots. They're in the top right of the profile.
- Tap Block. Instagram asks whether to block new accounts they create too.
- Confirm. Tap Block again.
You can also block from a chat. The Help Center's steps start "Tap Messages at the bottom," then the chat, then the information icon in the top right, where Block sits.
What happens when you block someone on Instagram?
| What changes | After a block |
|---|---|
| Your profile | They can't find it |
| Their likes and comments | Removed from your posts |
| Their new accounts | Blocked too, if you chose it |
| Notice to them | None |
| After you unblock | Likes and comments stay gone |
Instagram Help Center pages on blocking, as Google showed them on October 23, 2026.
The Help Center says a blocked person "won't be able to find your profile, posts or story." It adds that "their likes and comments will be removed from your photos and videos." One thing stays visible. "People that you block can still see your likes and comments on posts that were shared by public accounts or accounts they follow."
Does Instagram notify someone when you block them?
No. The Help Center says so directly, and nothing appears in their notifications. They may notice other signs, though, such as your profile turning up as "User not found." Our page on how to know if someone blocked you on Instagram lists those signs from the other side.
How do you unblock someone on Instagram?
Go to your own profile, open the menu, and look under "Who can see your content" for Blocked. The Help Center's steps start with "Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right to go to your profile." Then tap Unblock next to the name. It's the same list you'd use to see every account you've blocked.
The Help Center warns that "Unblocking someone won't restore their previous likes and comments." They also won't follow you again on their own. A June 2026 guide from Hooleft notes the follow isn't restored, so they'd have to follow you again.
Should you block, restrict or mute?
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Mute | You stop seeing them |
| Restrict | They can't see you're online |
| Block | They can't find your profile |
About Instagram, "Restrict, Mute, Block and Report," November 22, 2024, and the Help Center, as Google showed them on October 23, 2026.
Block is the strongest. If you only want their posts out of your feed, muting is quieter. Our guide on how to mute someone on Instagram covers it. Restrict sits between the two. Instagram says "The restricted person won't see when you're online," and you won't get notified about their comments.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you block someone on Instagram?
Open their profile, tap the three dots in the top right, tap Block, and confirm.
Does Instagram tell someone you blocked them?
No. The Help Center says "People aren't notified when you block them."
How do you unblock someone on Instagram?
Go to your profile, open the menu, find Blocked under "Who can see your content," and tap Unblock.
What happens to likes and comments when you block someone?
Their likes and comments come off your posts, and unblocking doesn't bring them back.
Can a blocked person make a new account to see you?
Not if you chose to block new accounts too. Instagram's block can cover "any new accounts they may create."
Sources
- Instagram Help Center pages on blocking and unblocking, what happens when you block someone, and blocking from messages, as Google showed them on October 23, 2026
- About Instagram, "Restrict, Mute, Block and Report," November 22, 2024, as Google showed it on October 23, 2026
- Hooleft, June 14, 2026, and a Reddit thread of June 28, 2022, as Google showed them on October 23, 2026
- Google results for "how to block someone on instagram," US, October 23, 2026 (our read)
- Google Ads Keyword Planner, worldwide, read October 23, 2026
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