X

How to block people and app invites on Facebook

Sick and tired of those annoying app or event invites? Here's how you can stop them once and for all.

Dan Graziano Associate Editor / How To
Dan Graziano is an associate editor for CNET. His work has appeared on BGR, Fox News, Fox Business, and Yahoo News, among other publications. When he isn't tinkering with the latest gadgets and gizmos, he can be found enjoying the sights and sounds of New York City.
Dan Graziano
2 min read

Watch this: How to block people and invites on Facebook


Facebook can be a great tool. You can use the social network to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and keep an online catalog of your life. There are also some downsides, however. Besides having to deal with those friends who feel the need to update their status for every little thing, one of the most annoying things about Facebook are the endless app and event invites.

Seven tips for securing your Facebook account

See all photos

It's time to put a stop to it. Here's not only how you can block invites, but also individual users:

Blocking people

The Privacy Shortcuts menu is a little known menu located next to the notification icon at the top right-hand corner of the screen. The menu gives you quick access to change who can see your posts and who can comment on them. You can also quickly block a user if they have been annoying or harassing you.

fb-blocking-1.png
Screenshot by Dan Graziano/CNET

Select the "How do I stop someone from bothering me" option and enter the person's name or email address. Facebook won't notify users if they have been blocked. The person will simply be unable to view your profile, message you, or see comments you leave on other profiles. They will also be unfriended if you were previously friends with them.

Blocking apps, invites, and more

If blocking someone may seem a little too harsh, you can instead add them to a restricted list that will only show them posts you make public. This option can be found in the Blocking section of the Settings menu, which in turn can be accessed by clicking on the down arrow that is located next to the Privacy Shortcuts icon. In addition to blocking specific users, here you will also be able to block certain people from inviting you to events and apps.

fb-blocking-3.png
Screenshot by Dan Graziano/CNET

Perhaps the most useful feature is the ability to block specific apps. At the bottom of the Blocking section, type the name of the app you would like to block and just like that it will be gone. The app will no longer be able to access any of your Facebook information and you will no longer receive any of those annoying invites.

Now that you've learned about blocking on Facebook, make sure your privacy settings are up to date.