Have you ever wondered what happens when you send a message to someone who has blocked you on their messaging platform? Does the message say “delivered” even if the person on the other end can’t see it? The answer might surprise you, and it’s more complex than a simple yes or no. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the world of messaging platforms, explore how blocking works, and uncover the truth about those “delivered” messages.
How Blocking Works On Messaging Platforms
Before we can understand what happens to messages when someone blocks you, it’s essential to know how blocking works on popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and iMessage. Blocking someone on these platforms means that you’re restricting their ability to contact you, but the specifics of how this restriction works vary from platform to platform.
WhatsApp: When you block someone on WhatsApp, they won’t be able to send you messages, make voice or video calls, or see your online status. They also won’t be able to see your profile picture or status updates. From their perspective, it will seem as though you’re not using the app or have deleted your account.
Facebook Messenger: Blocking on Facebook Messenger works similarly to WhatsApp. When you block someone, they won’t be able to send you messages, make voice or video calls, or see your active status. However, they might still be able to see your profile picture and status updates, depending on your privacy settings.
iMessage: iMessage, being a proprietary Apple messaging service, has a slightly different approach to blocking. When you block someone on iMessage, they won’t be able to send you messages, and their messages won’t show up on your device. However, they might still be able to see your online status and receive read receipts from you.
What Happens To Messages When You’re Blocked?
Now that we’ve covered how blocking works on different platforms, let’s explore what happens to messages when someone blocks you.
Delivered But Not Received
WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger: When you send a message to someone who has blocked you on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, the message will show as “delivered” on your end, but the recipient will not receive it. This is because the messaging platform’s servers will still process the message and acknowledge its receipt, but the blocked user won’t be able to see it.
iMessage: On iMessage, the behavior is slightly different. When you send a message to someone who has blocked you, the message will not be delivered to their device, and you won’t receive a “delivered” notification. Instead, the message will be stuck in limbo, and you might see a “Not Delivered” or “Failed” notification.
Why Do Messages Still Show As Delivered?
You might be wondering why messaging platforms show messages as “delivered” even when the recipient has blocked you. There are a few reasons for this:
Server-side processing: Messaging platforms process messages on their servers before delivering them to the recipient’s device. When you send a message, the platform’s servers acknowledge receipt of the message and store it temporarily. This is why you might see the message as “delivered” even if the recipient has blocked you.
Offline message storage: Some messaging platforms, like WhatsApp, store messages on their servers for a short period, usually 30 days, before deleting them. This means that even if the recipient has blocked you, the message might still be stored on the server, and you might see it as “delivered” until it’s deleted.
Design choice: Messaging platforms might choose to show messages as “delivered” to maintain a consistent user experience. By doing so, they can avoid confusing users with different delivery statuses or error messages.
Consequences Of Blocking And Message Delivery
Blocking someone on a messaging platform can have unintended consequences, especially when it comes to message delivery.
The Blocked Person’s Perspective
When someone blocks you, they might not be aware that you’re still sending them messages. They might assume that you’ve stopped contacting them or that there’s an issue with the messaging platform. This lack of awareness can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications.
Example: Imagine you’re trying to resolve a conflict with someone, and you send them a conciliatory message. If they’ve blocked you, they might not receive the message, and you might assume they’re ignoring you. This could escalate the situation, leading to further conflict.
The Blocker’s Perspective
On the other hand, the person who blocked you might be surprised to learn that their blocker is still sending them messages, even if they’re not receiving them.
Example: Suppose someone is harassing or stalking you, and you block them on a messaging platform. If they continue sending you messages, thinking that you’re receiving them, they might become more aggressive or persistent. This could lead to further harassment or even put you in danger.
Best Practices For Blocking And Message Delivery
To avoid misunderstandings and miscommunications when blocking someone on a messaging platform, follow these best practices:
Use Blocking Judiciously
Only block someone when you’re certain you want to restrict their ability to contact you. Blocking should be a last resort, especially in situations where communication is essential, like in conflicts or disputes.
Communicate Before Blocking
Before blocking someone, try to communicate with them and explain why you’re taking this step. This can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure that both parties are on the same page.
Verify Message Delivery
If you’re unsure whether your message has been delivered, try contacting the person through another means, like a phone call or email. This can help you confirm whether they’ve received your message and avoid miscommunications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when someone blocks you on a messaging platform, the message will often show as “delivered” on your end, even if the recipient can’t see it. This is due to server-side processing, offline message storage, and design choices made by the messaging platforms. Understanding how blocking works and the consequences of message delivery can help you avoid misunderstandings and miscommunications. By following best practices for blocking and message delivery, you can ensure a more harmonious and respectful online communication experience.
Remember, blocking someone is a serious step, and it’s essential to use this feature judiciously and communicate with the person before taking action. By doing so, you can maintain healthy online relationships and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
Will I Receive A “delivered” Notification If I’m Blocked?
The answer is a resounding yes. When you’re blocked, the “delivered” notification is more of a courtesy to the sender than an indication that the recipient has actually seen the message. As long as the message is sent successfully, the sender will receive a “delivered” notification, even if the recipient has blocked them.
This is because the “delivered” notification is triggered by the message being successfully delivered to the recipient’s device, not by the recipient’s ability to see or read the message. So, even if you’re blocked, the message will still be delivered to the recipient’s device, and you’ll receive a “delivered” notification. However, the recipient will not be able to see the message or any subsequent messages you send.
Can I Know For Sure If Someone Has Blocked Me?
Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way to know for certain if someone has blocked you. However, there are some signs you can look out for to make an educated guess. If you’re not receiving any responses or reactions to your messages, or if your messages are consistently marked as “delivered” but not “read,” it could be a sign that you’ve been blocked.
Another sign to look out for is if the person’s profile picture or status updates are no longer visible to you. If you’re unable to see any changes to their profile, it could indicate that you’ve been blocked. However, it’s also possible that the person has simply deleted their account or taken a break from the platform. Without direct confirmation, it’s impossible to know for sure.
Will My Messages Still Be Delivered If I’m Blocked?
Yes, your messages will still be delivered to the recipient’s device, even if you’re blocked. As mentioned earlier, the “delivered” notification is triggered by the message being successfully delivered to the recipient’s device, not by the recipient’s ability to see or read the message.
However, it’s worth noting that the recipient will not be able to see or read your messages, nor will they receive any notifications about your messages. So, while your messages are technically being delivered, they’re not actually being seen or read by the recipient.
Can I Unblock Myself From Someone’s List?
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to unblock yourself from someone’s list. Blocking is a one-way action, and the person who blocked you has complete control over their block list. If someone has blocked you, there’s no way for you to unblock yourself or undo the block.
The only way to re-establish communication is for the person who blocked you to unblock you themselves. If you’re unsure why you were blocked or want to try to clear the air, you could try reaching out to the person through a mutual friend or another platform, but ultimately, the decision to unblock you rests with them.
Do “delivered” Notifications Work Differently On Different Platforms?
Yes, the way “delivered” notifications work can vary slightly from platform to platform. While the general principle remains the same – the “delivered” notification is triggered by the message being successfully delivered to the recipient’s device – some platforms may have additional layers of complexity or nuance.
For example, some platforms may have a “read” notification that is triggered when the recipient has actually seen the message, rather than just when it’s been delivered to their device. Other platforms may have more subtle indicators of when a message has been delivered or read, such as a small tick or checkmark. It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the specific messaging platform you’re using to understand how its notifications work.
Can I Use A VPN To Get Around Being Blocked?
In theory, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) could allow you to circumvent a block by masking your IP address and making it appear as though you’re accessing the platform from a different location. However, this is not a foolproof solution, and it’s generally not recommended as a way to get around being blocked.
Most platforms have sophisticated algorithms in place to detect and block suspicious activity, including traffic originating from VPNs. Using a VPN to try to get around a block could result in your account being flagged or even suspended, which would only make the situation worse.
Is It Rude To Block Someone Without Explanation?
While it’s not necessary to provide an explanation when blocking someone, doing so without explanation can come across as abrupt or even rude. Blocking someone is a powerful tool that should be used thoughtfully and intentionally, and it’s generally considered more respectful to provide some context or explanation for why you’re taking that action.
That being said, there are certainly situations where blocking someone without explanation is necessary, such as in cases of harassment or abuse. Ultimately, whether or not to provide an explanation when blocking someone depends on the specific circumstances and your relationship with the person being blocked.