Maybe you’re scrolling through a feed of perfectly curated mid-century modern living rooms or sourdough recipes when it happens. You see a comment or a profile that just feels... off. Or maybe it’s an ex who won’t stop repinning your "Dream Wedding" board. It’s awkward. It’s intrusive. And honestly, it ruins the vibe of what is supposed to be your digital happy place. You start wondering, how can I block someone on Pinterest without making a huge scene?
It’s a valid question. Pinterest feels like a quiet corner of the internet, but it still has its share of weirdos and unwanted prying eyes. Blocking isn’t just about being "mean." It’s about boundary setting.
Social media platforms change their layouts faster than most of us change our furnace filters, but the core mechanics of blocking on Pinterest have remained relatively steady. Whether you're using the mobile app on an iPhone or clicking around on a desktop, the "nuclear option" is always there if you know where to look.
The Direct Approach to Blocking on Pinterest
If you’ve found a specific profile that needs to go, don’t overthink it. Just go straight to the source. You’ll want to navigate to their profile page. Look for the three dots (the ellipsis icon). It’s usually near their name or follow button. Once you click that, a menu pops up. "Block" is right there. It’s almost too easy.
When you hit that button, the platform usually asks for a confirmation. They want to make sure you didn’t just slip and click it while reaching for your coffee. Confirm it. Boom. They’re gone.
What actually happens next? Well, they won't get a notification saying "Hey, Sarah just blocked you!" Pinterest isn't that chaotic. Instead, the connection just... dissolves. They can't follow you, and you can't follow them. If they try to interact with your Pins, they’ll hit a wall. It’s a clean break.
What Happens Behind the Scenes?
Blocking is a two-way street. You won't see their Pins in your home feed anymore, and they won't see yours. If you had a group board together, things get a little trickier. Usually, if you block the owner of a group board, you’ll be removed. If you block a contributor, they just can't see your specific contributions or interact with you within that space.
It’s worth noting that Pinterest is a public-facing search engine at its core. If your profile is public, a blocked person could technically log out of their account and still see your public boards. To truly vanish, you have to go into your settings and toggle on the "Private Profile" option or hide your boards from search engines. It's a layers-of-security kind of deal.
Why Blocking Might Not Be Enough
Sometimes a block feels like a Band-Aid on a broken leg. If someone is actually harassing you—sending nasty messages or spamming your comments with "Work from home for $5000 a day!" links—you should probably report them too. Blocking stops them from seeing you, but reporting helps Pinterest's safety team (yes, they have one) actually remove the bad actor from the platform entirely.
I’ve seen people get frustrated because they block one bot and three more show up. It's like Hydra. In those cases, the issue isn't just one person; it's your discoverability.
Managing Your Privacy Settings
If you're asking how can I block someone on Pinterest because you're worried about your general privacy, you might want to look at your "Social Permissions." You can actually turn off the ability for people to message you or comment on your Pins altogether. It’s a bit extreme, sure, but if you're just there to look at patio garden ideas, you don't really need a "social" experience anyway.
- Go to your settings (the nut/bolt icon).
- Find "Social Permissions."
- Toggle off "Messages" or "Comments."
This creates a fortress. No one can bother you if there's no door to knock on.
The Accidental Block and How to Fix It
We’ve all done it. You’re trying to share a Pin to your sister and your thumb slips. Suddenly, she’s blocked. She’s calling you asking why she can't see your "Low Carb Dinner" board. It’s embarrassing, but it’s a quick fix.
To unblock someone, you have to go back to their profile. This is the annoying part: you might have to search for their exact username because they won't show up in your "Following" list anymore. Once you find them, that same three-dot menu will now have an "Unblock" option. Click it, and things go back to normal. Well, mostly. You’ll have to follow them again, which might give away the fact that you blocked them in the first place. You can always blame it on a glitch. "Pinterest is so buggy lately, right?" works every time.
Dealing with Group Boards and Shared Pins
Group boards are the wild west of Pinterest. They are great for collaboration but terrible for privacy. If you block someone who is also a member of a large group board you belong to, you might still see their Pins within that specific board. Pinterest’s blocking logic is strong, but group board dynamics are governed by the board owner's permissions.
🔗 Read more: Microsoft Word for Apple MacBook: Is It Actually Better Than Pages?
If the person you blocked is the owner of the group board, you're better off just leaving the board entirely. Your peace of mind is worth more than a collection of 500 Mason jar DIYs. To leave a board, click into it, hit the three dots, and select "Leave." No drama, just exit stage left.
Keeping Your Pins Out of Google Search
A lot of people don't realize that Pinterest Pins often show up in Google Image search results. If you’re blocking someone in real life—say, an obsessive ex or a nosy employer—blocking them on the Pinterest app won't stop them from Googling your name and seeing your Pins.
To stop this, go to your "Privacy and Data" settings. There is a checkbox that says "Hide your profile from search engines." Check it. It takes a few weeks for Google to update its index and "forget" your profile, but it’s the only way to truly go dark.
Practical Steps to Reclaim Your Feed
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the social aspect of Pinterest, take these steps right now to tighten things up.
- Audit your followers. Go through the list. If you don't recognize a profile or it looks like a bot (no profile picture, weird alphanumeric name), block them immediately.
- Switch to Secret Boards. You don't have to block the whole world. If you have a board that feels too personal, just make it "Secret." Only you (and anyone you specifically invite) can see it. It won't show up in your profile or in anyone's feed.
- Control your mentions. In the settings, you can limit who can @mention you. Set this to "People you follow" to avoid random spam notifications.
- Check your connected apps. Sometimes third-party apps have permissions to post on your behalf or see your follower list. Clean those out in the "Apps" section of your settings.
Pinterest is fundamentally a tool for inspiration. If the presence of a specific person is making you anxious about pinning that "New Haircut" photo, you’re not using the tool effectively. Use the block button. Use it liberally. There is no limit on how many people you can block, and there is no "Block List" visible to the public. Your secret is safe.
The reality of digital spaces in 2026 is that we have to be our own bouncers. Pinterest provides the velvet rope; you just have to decide who gets past it. By managing your block list and your search privacy simultaneously, you turn a public broadcast into a private digital scrapbook.
👉 See also: Sends a Slack Message NYT: Why This Workplace Habit is Reshaping Modern Offices
Actionable Next Steps:
- Identify the Profile: Navigate to the specific profile of the user you want to restrict.
- Execute the Block: Click the three dots (ellipsis) next to their name and select Block.
- Verify Privacy: Go to Settings > Privacy and Data and ensure "Search Privacy" is turned on if you want to remain hidden from Google searches.
- Audit Group Boards: Leave any collaborative boards where the blocked individual has administrative power to ensure they cannot see your activity through shared permissions.