Are you tired of receiving unwanted or harassing messages on Instagram? Do you want to know how to block someone from DM on Instagram and regain control over your online experience? You’re not alone! Instagram, being one of the most popular social media platforms, can be vulnerable to spam, abuse, or plain old annoyance. Fortunately, the platform offers a robust feature to help you block unwanted contacts and protect your online space. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of blocking someone from DM on Instagram, as well as provide tips on how to use this feature effectively.
Why Block Someone on Instagram?
Before we dive into the ‘how-to’ part, let’s discuss why blocking someone on Instagram might be necessary. Here are a few reasons:
- Harassment or bullying: You might be receiving threatening, abusive, or offensive messages from someone.
- Spam or phishing attempts: You might be getting spam messages or scams trying to trick you into clicking on suspicious links or revealing personal information.
- Unwanted contact: You might be getting messages from someone you don’t want to communicate with, such as an ex-partner, a stalker, or someone who is constantly sending you unsolicited messages.
Whatever the reason, blocking someone on Instagram can be an effective way to protect your online experience and maintain a safe and respectful community.
How to Block Someone from DM on Instagram
Now that we’ve established the importance of blocking, let’s get down to business! Blocking someone from DM on Instagram is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the steps:
Method 1: Block from the Conversation
- Open the Instagram app and navigate to your direct messages (DMs) by tapping the paper airplane icon in the top-right corner.
- Find the conversation with the person you want to block and tap on it to open the chat.
- Tap the ‘i’ icon in the top-right corner of the chat window.
- Tap ‘Block’ and then confirm that you want to block the person.
- A pop-up will appear asking if you want to ‘Block’ or ‘Report’. Tap ‘Block’ to proceed.
Method 2: Block from the Profile
- Open the Instagram app and navigate to the profile of the person you want to block.
- Tap the three dots (⋯) in the top-right corner of their profile picture.
- Tap ‘Block’ and then confirm that you want to block the person.
- A pop-up will appear asking if you want to ‘Block’ or ‘Report’. Tap ‘Block’ to proceed.
What Happens When You Block Someone on Instagram?
When you block someone on Instagram, they will not be able to:
- Send you direct messages (DMs)
- See your stories or posts
- Find your profile in search results
- Follow you or see your following list
Additionally, Instagram will not notify the blocked person that they’ve been blocked, so you don’t have to worry about any drama or fallout.
Tips for Using the Block Feature Effectively
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when using the block feature on Instagram:
Be Specific
When blocking someone, make sure to specify that you want to block their account, not just their messages. This will ensure that they cannot contact you in any way.
Use Instagram’s Reporting Feature
If someone is harassing or spamming you, report them to Instagram in addition to blocking them. This helps Instagram identify and take action against abusive behavior.
Block Fake Accounts
If you receive a message from an account that appears to be fake or spammy, block it immediately. This helps protect your account from potential phishing scams or malware.
Block Multiple Accounts at Once
If you’re being harassed or spammed by multiple accounts, you can block them all at once by going to your Instagram settings, tapping ‘Privacy’, and then ‘Blocked Accounts’. From there, you can add multiple accounts to your block list.
What If I Want to Unblock Someone?
If you’ve blocked someone and later decide you want to unblock them, you can easily do so by following these steps:
Unblocking from the Blocked Accounts List
- Go to your Instagram settings by tapping the three horizontal lines () in the top-right corner.
- Tap ‘Privacy’.
- Tap ‘Blocked Accounts’.
- Find the person you want to unblock and tap ‘Unblock’ next to their name.
- Confirm that you want to unblock them.
Unblocking from the Conversation
- Open the Instagram app and navigate to your direct messages (DMs) by tapping the paper airplane icon in the top-right corner.
- Find the conversation with the person you want to unblock and tap on it to open the chat.
- Tap the ‘i’ icon in the top-right corner of the chat window.
- Tap ‘Unblock’ and then confirm that you want to unblock them.
Remember that when you unblock someone, they’ll be able to contact you again and view your profile, so use this feature wisely!
Conclusion
Blocking someone on Instagram is a powerful tool for maintaining a safe and respectful online experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily block unwanted contacts and protect your account from harassment, spam, or abuse. Remember to be specific, report abusive behavior, and use the block feature wisely to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience on Instagram.
What happens when I block someone on Instagram?
When you block someone on Instagram, they will no longer be able to see your profile, posts, or stories. They will also not be able to contact you through direct messages or mention you in their posts. Additionally, you will not receive any notifications from them, and they will not be able to find you in search. This means that you will no longer have to deal with unwanted messages or interactions from that person.
It’s important to note that blocking someone on Instagram is a powerful tool, and it should be used responsibly. If you’re experiencing harassment or abuse from someone, blocking them is a good way to protect yourself. However, if you’re simply annoyed with someone or don’t want to see their posts, unfollowing or muting them might be a better option.
Will the person I block know that I blocked them?
Instagram doesn’t notify the person you block that you’ve taken action against them. They won’t receive any notification or message saying that you’ve blocked them. They might, however, notice that they can no longer see your profile or contact you. If they try to visit your profile, they’ll see a message saying that the profile is not available.
It’s possible that the person you block might figure out that you’ve blocked them if they try to contact you or view your profile. But Instagram won’t explicitly tell them that you’ve blocked them. This means that you can block someone without them knowing, which can be helpful in situations where you don’t want to escalate the situation.
Can I block someone on Instagram if I’m not friends with them?
Yes, you can block someone on Instagram even if you’re not friends with them. You don’t need to be following each other or have any kind of connection to block someone. If someone is harassing you or sending you unwanted messages, you can block them even if you’ve never interacted with them before.
To block someone who doesn’t follow you, go to their profile and tap the three dots on the top-right corner. Select “Block” from the menu, and then confirm that you want to block them. You’ll then see a message saying that you’ve successfully blocked the user.
What happens to our direct messages if I block someone?
When you block someone on Instagram, you’ll no longer be able to see the direct messages you exchanged with them. The conversation will disappear from your inbox, and you won’t be able to access it again. However, the person you blocked will still be able to see the conversation and the messages you exchanged.
This means that if you want to keep a record of your conversation with someone, you should take a screenshot of the conversation or copy the text before you block them. This can be helpful if you need to report the conversation to Instagram or show it to someone else.
Can I unblock someone on Instagram?
Yes, you can unblock someone on Instagram if you change your mind. To unblock someone, go to your profile and tap the three lines on the top-right corner. Select “Settings,” then “Privacy,” and then “Blocked accounts.” Find the person you want to unblock and tap “Unblock” next to their name.
When you unblock someone, they’ll be able to see your profile and contact you again. However, they won’t be able to see the messages you exchanged while they were blocked. If you want to start a new conversation with someone you unblocked, you’ll need to initiate the conversation again.
Will blocking someone affect my Instagram experience?
Blocking someone on Instagram shouldn’t affect your overall Instagram experience. You’ll still be able to use the app as usual, post photos and stories, and interact with your friends and followers. The only difference is that you won’t see the person you blocked anymore, and they won’t be able to interact with you.
Blocking someone is a personal decision, and it’s up to you to decide whether you want to block someone or not. If you’re experiencing harassment or abuse from someone, blocking them can be a liberating experience and can help you feel safer on the app.
Can I report someone to Instagram instead of blocking them?
Yes, you can report someone to Instagram instead of blocking them. If someone is harassing you or violating Instagram’s community guidelines, you can report them to Instagram. To report someone, go to their profile and tap the three dots on the top-right corner. Select “Report” from the menu, and then choose the reason why you’re reporting them.
Reporting someone to Instagram can be a good option if you don’t want to block them but still want to take action against them. Instagram will review your report and take appropriate action against the user if they’re found to have violated the community guidelines.