As a social media marketing expert, I know firsthand how important TikTok is for building community and expressing creativity online. With over 1 billion monthly active users as of 2022, it‘s the platform of choice for sharing short-form video content.
But TikTok‘s massive user base also means dealing with the occasional block. Getting blocked by another user – whether you know them personally or not – is rarely a good feeling. However, it‘s essential to remember that being blocked doesn‘t necessarily reflect poorly on you.
In this ultimate guide, I‘ll walk you through how to definitively tell if you‘ve been blocked on TikTok. I‘ll also share some expert insights on why people block others and how to move forward in a healthy, productive way. Let‘s get into it!
How Blocking Works on TikTok
When a user blocks you on TikTok, they are essentially restricting your access to their content and preventing any direct interaction between your two accounts.
According to TikTok‘s official Privacy Policy, blocked users cannot:
- View the blocker‘s videos, likes, or comments
- Search for the blocker‘s username or access their profile
- Follow the blocker or see their list of followers/following
- Send direct messages to the blocker
- Duet, Stitch, or download the blocker‘s videos
- See any upcoming LIVE videos from the blocker
Blocked users also cannot see any new comments, mentions, tags, or likes from the blocker‘s account. Any previous interactions from the blocker will disappear retroactively from the blocked user‘s Activity tab, direct messages, and comment history.
It‘s important to note that TikTok does not send a notification when you get blocked, as a privacy measure. From a technical standpoint, a block simply restricts backend API calls and database queries related to the two users‘ accounts, rendering them invisible to each other.
6 Telltale Signs You‘ve Been Blocked on TikTok
So how can you know for sure if someone hit the block button on you? While TikTok won‘t send you an alert, there are several surefire ways to confirm your suspicions.
1. Their profile doesn‘t show up in search
One of the easiest ways to check if a user blocked you is by searching for their account. If you can‘t find their profile by username, there‘s a good chance you may have been blocked.
To search for a user on TikTok:
- Tap the magnifying glass "Discover" icon
- Type the user‘s exact @username into the search bar
- If their profile doesn‘t appear in the results, they likely blocked you
Keep in mind that it‘s also possible the user changed their username or deleted their account, which would also make their profile unsearchable.
2. You can‘t view their profile
If you already know the user‘s current @username or had their profile bookmarked, try navigating directly to their page. You can do this by typing their username into TikTok‘s URL in a mobile browser:
www.tiktok.com/@username
If you get a "Couldn‘t find this account" message or see a blank profile with no videos or bio info, that‘s a telltale sign of being blocked.
A third option is clicking on the user‘s profile from an old comment or direct message, if you can find one. If tapping their avatar doesn‘t load their profile, that‘s another red flag.
3. Their comments and likes disappeared from your videos
Previously, any comments the user left on your videos would have shown up in your TikTok Inbox under the "Comments" tab.
If the comments are suddenly nowhere to be found – and you‘re sure you didn‘t delete them yourself – that could indicate the commenter blocked you. The same goes for likes from that user on your posts.
To check for missing comments and likes:
- Go to your Inbox by tapping the "Inbox" icon in the Activity tab
- Select "Comments" and scan for any comments from that user
- If the comments are gone, and the user didn‘t delete them, a block is likely
Remember that users can delete individual comments without blocking. But if all of their comments and reactions have vanished, and their profile is inaccessible, the signs point to a block.
4. The user is missing from your Following/Followers list
Another way to investigate a potential block is by checking your Following and Followers lists. If you know you were following the user or they were following you, but now you don‘t see them in either list, that‘s suspicious.
Here‘s how to check your lists:
- Go to your profile page by tapping "Me"
- Tap "Following" to view the accounts you follow
- Tap "Followers" to see your own followers
- Use the search bar to quickly find the user in question
If the person is absent from both lists, with no record of you unfollowing them, they most likely blocked you. This is because blocking automatically removes the two-way follow connection.
5. You‘re unable to send them direct messages
When someone blocks you on TikTok, you lose the ability to send them direct messages. Any previous DMs between you also disappear from your inbox.
There are a couple ways to test this out:
- Try sending the user a new DM by searching their username in the "To" field
- If you get an error that reads "Couldn‘t find this account", you‘ve likely been blocked
- Alternatively, scroll through your DM history and look for past chats with the user
- If the chat is gone, and you didn‘t delete it, blocking is almost certainly to blame
One caveat is that deleting a TikTok account also deletes all associated DMs. But either way, the outcome is the same – you cannot message that user any longer.
6. You can see their profile on a different account
My go-to litmus test for confirming a suspected block is to search for the user‘s profile under an alternate TikTok account. You can either ask a friend to pull up the profile on their account, or create a new TikTok account of your own.
If you can view the user‘s profile, videos, and bio as normal under a different account, but not your main one, that‘s a smoking gun. You‘ve definitively been blocked.
Of course, this method only works if the person has a public account. Private TikTok accounts are only visible to approved followers. But for public accounts, checking from a different profile is a surefire way to identify a block.
What To Do If You‘ve Been Blocked on TikTok: 3 Expert Tips
So you‘ve been blocked – now what? As a social media authority, here‘s my advice for handling TikTok blocks in a mature, measured way.
1. Reflect objectively on why it might have happened
Getting blocked can sting, but try to consider the situation objectively. In many cases, blocks result from simple misunderstandings or isolated incidents, not personal vendettas.
Maybe you posted something the other user found offensive or off-topic for their audience. Perhaps they mistook one of your comments for spam or trolling. Heck, they may have even blocked you accidentally!
Unless you‘ve had a noticeably hostile interaction with this person, I wouldn‘t assume malicious intent behind their decision to block you. Speculating will only drive you crazy.
2. Resist the urge to circumvent the block
I know it‘s tempting, but do not create a new TikTok account for the sole purpose of viewing the blocker‘s profile and content. Not only is it a violation of TikTok‘s Community Guidelines regarding harassment, but it also defeats the entire point of the block feature.
If you‘re blocked by someone you know IRL, like a friend or family member, it may be appropriate to reach out to them once on another platform to discuss the situation. But respect their response and privacy. Repeatedly contacting them or making new accounts to follow them will likely make things worse.
In general, it‘s best to take the high road and let blocks be. No TikTok user owes you access to their profile or content. It‘s their prerogative to choose their audience.
3. Focus on fostering your own positive TikTok presence
At the end of the day, being blocked by one user has zero impact on your ability to enjoy TikTok and connect with other creators. Rather than dwell on the block, use it as motivation to put your energy into creating quality content and engaging with your own audience.
Prioritize posting videos that align with your interests, niche, and values. Dedicate yourself to being a force for good on the platform. Leave thoughtful comments, duet your favorite creators, and spread positivity.
Trust me – one block won‘t make or break your TikTok experience unless you let it. Keep things in perspective and keep on creating!
Why Do TikTok Users Block Each Other? 4 Common Reasons
Now that we‘ve covered how to identify and handle TikTok blocks, let‘s dig into some of the most common reasons why users block one another.
1. Spammy or irrelevant content
Nobody likes spam, and TikTok is no exception. In fact, a recent survey found that 66.9% of users say they would block an account that posts repetitive, low-quality content.
If your videos or comments come across as spammy or overly self-promotional, you run the risk of getting blocked. This is especially true if your content is irrelevant to the user‘s interests or niche.
For instance, if a user mainly posts about beauty tutorials, and you leave comments promoting your car detailing business, they might block you to curate a more relevant audience.
The takeaway? Keep your interactions genuine and on-topic. Contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way, and save the hard sell for your own page.
2. Harassment or bullying
It should go without saying, but using TikTok to harass, bully, or intimidate others is never okay. In addition to being cruel, it‘s also grounds for getting blocked – or even banned from the platform entirely.
Examples of harassive behavior that could get you blocked include:
- Leaving insulting or derogatory comments on someone‘s videos
- Sending threatening or sexually explicit messages
- Posting videos that mock or belittle another user
- Encouraging others to "hate raid" someone‘s livestream or profile
If you‘re blocked for harassment, take it as a sign to thoroughly re-evaluate your online conduct. TikTok has no tolerance for bullying of any kind.
3. Clashing views or opinions
In some cases, users block each other over simple differences in opinions or beliefs. This is especially prevalent in niches like politics, social justice, and current events.
Maybe you and another user have fundamentally opposing views on a hot-button issue, leading to heated exchanges in the comments. Or perhaps you posted a "stitch" response to their video critiquing their stance.
While respectful discourse and debate can be healthy, some users have a lower tolerance for disagreement than others. They might block you to curate a more like-minded audience or to avoid conflict altogether.
As disheartening as it feels in the moment, try not to take these types of blocks personally. Accept that not everyone has to agree with you, and focus on engaging with those who do share your perspective.
4. Accidental or arbitrary blocking
Not all TikTok blocks are personal or purposeful. Sometimes, users block each other completely by accident!
One common scenario is unintentional blocking while mass-deleting spam accounts. If a user gets inundated with bot comments or mentions, they might do a bulk-block of any unfamiliar profiles interacting with their content. If you get caught up in the purge, you could be collateral damage.
It‘s also possible to accidentally hit "Block" instead of "Follow" or another adjacent button thanks to TikTok‘s UI. The user may not even realize they blocked you.
And of course, some people are just block-happy and impulsively block others at the slightest perceived offense. Maybe they didn‘t vibe with your username or video topic and blocked you arbitrarily.
The point is, not all blocks are personal attacks or indictments on your character. If a block truly comes out of left field, chalk it up to an accident or an arbitrary decision. It‘s not worth losing sleep over!
A Message to Content Creators: Don‘t Sweat the Blocks!
As a professional marketer, I work with businesses and creators to build their brand on TikTok. And I always tell my clients the same thing when it comes to blocks: you cannot be everyone‘s cup of tea, and that‘s okay!
Getting blocked is an inevitable part of being a creator on TikTok. No matter how great your content is or how pure your intentions are, some people simply won‘t respond to it. That‘s the nature of putting yourself out there on social media.
But here‘s the great news – in the grand scheme of things, a few blocked accounts will not hurt your growth or success on TikTok. There are 1 billion+ potential fans to connect with on the platform. You don‘t need to win over every single user to build a thriving, engaged community.
Instead of obsessing over your block count, pour your energy into developing quality content that resonates with your target audience. Focus on providing value, showcasing your unique voice, and forming genuine connections.
Remember, your niche is not "everyone on TikTok" – it‘s the specific subset of users who love your content, share your sense of humor, and align with your values. Those are the people you should be focused on serving. Let the rest go!
If you do find yourself getting blocked more often than usual, reflect on your content objectively. Is there anything you‘re posting that could come across as spam, harassment, or trolling? Commit to cleaning it up.
But as long as you‘re posting in good faith and adding value, brush off the occasional block as an inevitable part of the creator experience. Keep your eyes on your own page and keep moving forward.
Key Takeaways for Identifying & Handling TikTok Blocks
We covered a ton of information in this guide, so let‘s recap some of the most important points:
- TikTok does not notify you if you get blocked, so you have to look for signs like unsearchable profiles and disappearing comments/DMs
- The most definitive way to confirm a block is checking the user‘s profile from a different account
- If you get blocked, don‘t create new accounts to circumvent it or obsess over the reason why – respect their decision and move on
- Users block each other for many reasons, from spam and harassment to simple differences of opinion
- As a content creator, focus on posting quality content for your core audience – not winning over every single user
I hope this guide has given you clarity and peace of mind to handle TikTok blocks in a healthy way. Remember, your worth is not determined by who does or doesn‘t block you. Keep creating, keep connecting, and keep it positive!
Have you ever been blocked on TikTok? How did you deal with it? Let me know in the comments!
