Block

Related terms:	Ban, Mute
See also:	Fandom Flounce, AO3 blocking feature
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Block or Blocking refers to preventing contact from someone via software, usually built into a social platform's options. Some platforms have more nuanced options than others: in some cases, a block prevents all contact or observation in both directions; in others, one party can still see content from the other, and may be able to interact with it in some ways.

This is similar to a ban, and sometimes the words are used interchangeably. However, it is more common for a ban to refer to an action taken by a site or community owner, removing a person from contact with an entire community, rather than removing their contact with one other person.

In some wanky situations, fans dare each other to block them, with the one who is blocked claiming to have won status because the other fan has committed a form of censorship.

Platforms

Blocks work somewhat differently on Twitter, Tumblr, Dreamwidth, and other places. As of 2022, limited comment blocking has been added to AO3 after many years of users requesting blocking or muting functions.