Dealing with unwanted interactions on YouTube can be frustrating, but blocking someone is actually pretty straightforward. Let me walk you through the process and share some helpful tips I’ve learned from managing various YouTube channels.
Different Ways to Block Someone on YouTube
The most common way to block someone is directly through their channel or comments. When you’re watching a video and spot a problematic user, just click on their profile picture. This opens up their channel card, where you’ll see three dots (⋮) – that’s your gateway to blocking them. Click those dots and select “Block user.” YouTube will then ask you to confirm, and just like that, they’re blocked.
Blocking Through Comments
Here’s a situation I run into often: You’re reading through comments and spot someone you’d rather not hear from again. Right there in the comments section, you can hover over their name, click those same three dots, and select “Block user.” It’s quick and efficient, especially when you’re actively moderating comments.
Managing Blocked Users
Sometimes you might want to review who you’ve blocked or even unblock someone. Head over to YouTube’s Settings, then to Community, and you’ll find your blocked users list. It’s like having a security guestlist – you can add or remove people as needed.
What Happens After You Block Someone?
Once you’ve blocked someone, here’s what changes:
– They can’t comment on your videos
– Their comments become invisible to you
– They can’t tag you in comments
– You won’t see their channel suggestions
However, they can still watch your public videos – blocking on YouTube isn’t about content restriction, it’s about interaction management.
Important Things to Remember
I always remind my friends that blocking should be used thoughtfully. Before blocking someone, consider whether muting might be a better option. Muting lets you hide their comments from your view without them knowing, which can be useful for managing minor annoyances.
Also, if you’re running a channel, remember that blocked users can still impact your video’s engagement metrics – they can still like, dislike, and view your content. They just can’t interact with you directly.
Tips for Channel Managers
If you’re managing a channel, I recommend keeping a quick note of why you blocked certain users. This helps if you ever need to review your blocked list or explain your actions to YouTube support. Think of it as maintaining a clean, healthy community space where everyone can enjoy content without unnecessary disruption.
Remember, blocking isn’t permanent – you can always unblock someone if circumstances change. The goal is to create a positive environment for yourself and your viewers while enjoying everything YouTube has to offer.
