# Blocking
If someone is bothering you but not explicitly breaking the [[About/Community Standards#Rules|rules]], you can [[Usage/Reputation#When to downvote|downvote]] and/or **block** them.
When you block someone:
- You won't get any **message notifications** (or get email alerts) for them.
- Their **profile will be hidden** from you while browsing the community.
- You will **appear offline** to them.
> [!info] Blocking doesn't prevent messages
> Blocking someone **does not** prevent them from seeing *your* profile or from writing you. They won't know they've been blocked. To them it'll just seem like they're **being ignored**. This is usually best to discourage possible escalation (creating additional accounts, etc.).
> [!warning] Blocking doesn't close active profiles
> If you have any browser windows open on someone's profile when you block them, these **won't automatically be closed**. You'll have to close these manually, otherwise you'll **keep seeing messages** from the blocked user.
## How to unblock someone
Currently, you'll need some way of getting back to their profile - like a browser bookmark or old message notification email.
From their profile, you can then just hit the **Unblock** button.
If there's [[Getting Started/What's New#Upcoming improvements|community interest]], I can add a feature in future to list everyone you currently have blocked.