Being blocked on Instagram can be frustrating and confusing, especially if you don’t know why it happened or how long it will last. This comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know about being blocked on Instagram, including how to tell if someone blocked you, what it means, why people block others, how long the block lasts, and whether there are ways to get unblocked.
How to tell if someone blocked you on Instagram
There are a few key signs that indicate you have been blocked by another user on Instagram:
- Their profile is completely invisible to you and you get an error message if you try to access it directly
- You can no longer see any of their posts or stories
- You are no longer able to send them direct messages
- You can no longer tag them in photos or comments
- You are not notified if they make any comments on your posts
If one or more of these things is happening, it’s a clear sign the user has blocked you. Unlike some other social networks, Instagram does not directly notify you if you’ve been blocked. You simply won’t be able to interact with or view the blocker’s profile at all.
What does it mean when someone blocks you on Instagram?
There are a few common reasons someone might block another user on Instagram:
- They want to cut off contact with you entirely
- Something you said or did offended or upset them
- They find your behavior or post content bothersome or inappropriate
- They want to prevent you from viewing their posts or interacting with them
- They are trying to end a friendship, relationship, or association with you
In most cases, blocking happens when someone feels harassed, threatened, annoyed, or otherwise put off by another user’s behavior. It’s a way for them to gain control over their Instagram experience by removing posts or people they don’t want to engage with from visibility.
How long does an Instagram block last?
An Instagram block remains in effect until the person who initiated it chooses to reverse it. There is no time limit or expiration on Instagram blocks.
Blocking is considered permanent unless the blocker decides to unblock the other user. For example, if User A blocks User B, User B will be blocked by User A indefinitely, until User A chooses to unblock them.
Some key things to know about the permanence of Instagram blocks:
- There is no automated time frame for how long blocks last, such as 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 week, etc. It’s entirely at the blocker’s discretion.
- Blocks do not expire on their own. Blocked users remain blocked until manually unblocked.
- Instagram does not notify users if they have been blocked or unblocked. The only way to know your status is by checking a user’s profile.
- If you think you were blocked by mistake, the only recourse is to try contacting the person who blocked you directly to request they unblock you.
For these reasons, if you find yourself blocked by someone on Instagram it is generally considered permanent unless that specific user decides to change it. Do not expect the block to lift on its own after a certain period of time.
Can you get unblocked on Instagram?
Since the duration of an Instagram block is indefinite, it can feel frustrating if you were blocked unexpectedly by someone you want to stay in touch with. Fortunately, there are a few actions you can take to try to get unblocked:
- Reach out respectfully via another platform: Try sending a thoughtful message explaining why you would like to be unblocked via email, text, or messaging on another social platform.
- Ask a mutual friend to intervene: If you share common friends, you can request they politely advocate for you to be unblocked.
- Reflect on why you may have been blocked: Consider if you said or did something that crossed a line and warranted the block, and apologize sincerely if appropriate.
- Wait and try sending another request later: Give the person who blocked you some time to cool off before sending another polite unblock request.
- Accept it and move on: If multiple unblock requests are ignored, the person likely intends the block to be permanent.
However, there is ultimately no guarantee that the user will agree to unblock you. The block was almost certainly placed for a reason, and pressuring someone to reverse it usually won’t be well received. If your sincere requests to be unblocked are ignored, you may have to accept that the block is permanent and move on.
Can you tell if someone blocked you on Instagram?
Determining conclusively if you’ve been blocked by another Instagram user is straightforward. Here are the definitive ways to confirm if someone has blocked you on Instagram:
- Check the user’s profile – If it returns an error or says “user not found,” you’ve very likely been blocked
- Search for their posts – If you can’t locate their profile or any posts, they have probably blocked you
- Try to view their story – If their story is nowhere to be found, it’s a sign of a block
- Send them a message – If your DM won’t send and gives an error, they have likely blocked you
- Tag them in a post – If you are unable to tag them in a photo or comment, it indicates you’re blocked
If you perform these checks and cannot view the user’s profile, posts, stories, or interact with them in any way, you have your confirmation that you have been blocked. There will be no explicit notice, but these issues accessing the profile point to a definite block.
Should you block someone back if they blocked you on Instagram?
If you find out someone has blocked you on Instagram, you may wonder if you should return the favor and block them back. Here are some things to consider:
- Look inward first: Reflect on why they may have blocked you in the first place. Could something you said or did have warranted it?
- Take the high road: Blocking back may feel petty or vindictive without accomplishing much.
- Protect your peace: If interacting with this person is negative for you, blocking may be appropriate.
- Don’t overthink it: If blocking back feels right, you don’t need justification to do so.
Ultimately, the decision depends on the context of your relationship and how much contact you still have outside of Instagram. If blocking them will help you move on or limit harmful interactions, it may be the right call. But in some cases, leaving the door open to eventual reconciliation may be better.
What happens when you block someone on Instagram?
Blocking someone on Instagram has a number of effects and consequences, including:
- They are no longer able to view any of your posts or stories
- Any comments they leave on your content will only be visible to them
- You will no longer receive any notifications about their activity
- They are unable to send you any direct messages
- Your messages to them will not go through or be seen
- You and the blocked user will no longer follow each other
Essentially, blocking creates a one-way barrier between you and the blocked user. You will no longer see any trace of each other’s activity on Instagram. For all intents and purposes on the platform, it will be as if you do not exist to each other.
Blocking is not the same as unfollowing, as unfollowing simply removes the user’s posts from your feed. A blocked user cannot even visit your profile or search for you in any way.
Can a blocked person see your posts on Instagram?
No, a blocked person cannot see any of your Instagram posts, stories, or activity in any way. This includes:
- Feed posts – Photos or videos you share to your Instagram grid will not show up in their feed or via hashtags or locations
- Stories – Your story will completely disappear from their account and will be inaccessible
- IGTV – Any IGTV videos will also be hidden and impossible to view
- Live videos – They will be unable to watch if you do any live broadcasts
- Your profile – All your photos, bio info, followers etc. will all be inaccessible
Essentially, blocking makes your entire Instagram existence invisible to the blocked user. They have no way of viewing any of your current or future posts or info unless you explicitly unblock them.
Can a blocked person see your followers or who you follow on Instagram?
No, a blocked user cannot see who you currently follow or who follows you back if they are blocked. This includes:
- Your followers list – They will be unable to view anyone who follows your account
- Accounts you follow – They can’t see who you currently follow or look through that list
- Your follow/unfollow activity – They won’t see if you follow or unfollow other accounts after blocking them
Essentially, blocking cuts off all visibility into your social graph on Instagram. A blocked user has no insight into your follower or follow activity no matter how public your account is.
Should you block someone who has an Instagram crush on you?
Having an Instagram user consistently like your posts or send unwanted flirtatious messages can certainly feel uncomfortable. Here are some tips on whether you should block someone with an Instagram crush:
- Politely decline first – Let them know if you are uninterested or in a relationship before blocking.
- Block if requests continue – If unwanted outreach persists after asking them to stop, block them.
- Trust your instincts – Don’t feel guilty blocking if someone makes you consistently uneasy.
- Consider other social ties – Blocking may be permanent, so think about real world connections.
- Make your account private – Restrict your posts from public viewing if someone persists in interacting with them.
Blocking should generally be a last resort if someone can’t take the hint to give you space. But don’t hesitate to block an Instagram admirer if ignoring their activity and asking them to stop is not working.
Is it bad to block someone on Instagram without them knowing?
Blocking a user on Instagram without any notice or explanation can sometimes be seen as passive aggressive. Here are some perspectives to consider:
- It may feel wrong or cowardly to the blocked user if done stealthily.
- An explanation provides context and closure even if it’s uncomfortable.
- However, you ultimately don’t owe someone an explanation for removing them.
- Do what feels right for you based on the situation and relationship.
- If you feel unsafe or harassed, block first and explain later.
If possible, give the user a courtesy heads up or post-block explanation by another communication method. But blocking without notice is sometimes necessary for privacy, safety, or your own peace of mind.
Conclusion
Being blocked by another user on Instagram can be a confusing and frustrating experience, especially if the reasons are unclear. While blocks themselves have no expiration and cannot be reversed without the blocker’s consent, there are polite ways to potentially have the block lifted if you wish to reconnect.
Ultimately, try looking inward as to why the block may have happened in the first place. And if the relationship seems unsalvageable, accept that the block is permanent and use it as reason to move on.