How to hide (or delete) your most annoying Facebook friends

We all have that one or perhaps a few Facebook “friends” whose posts make us roll our eyes, sigh deeply, or question our life choices. Whether it’s the constant political rants, the oversharing of personal drama, or the endless stream of cat memes, these individuals can turn your Facebook feed into a minefield of frustration. 

Fortunately, you have options to regain control of your social media sanctuary. This article will explore how to discreetly hide or permanently delete those most annoying Facebook friends.

The art of unfollowing people on Facebook

Unfollowing is the gentlest way to declutter your Facebook experience. It allows you to remain “friends” with someone while preventing their posts from appearing in your news feed. 

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They won’t be notified, and you can still visit their profile if you wish.

To unfollow someone on Facebook:

1. Go to their profile page.

2. Hover over the ‘Friends’  button.

3. Select ‘Unfollow’ from the dropdown menu.

Taking the next step: Unfriending

If unfollowing doesn’t suffice and you’re ready to sever the digital ties completely, unfriending is the solution. This removes the person from your friends list and limits their access to your profile and posts. Be aware that they might notice the change if they regularly check your profile.

To unfriend someone:

1. Visit their profile page.

2. Hover over the ‘Friends’ button.

3. Select ‘Unfriend’ from the dropdown menu.

4. Confirm your decision when prompted.

The nuclear option: Blocking

For those truly troublesome individuals who you want to completely remove from your Facebook universe, blocking is the most drastic measure. This prevents them from seeing your profile, posts, or even searching for you on Facebook.

To block someone:

1. Navigate to their profile page.

2. Click on the three dots in the bottom right corner of their cover photo.

3. Select ‘Block’ and confirm your choice.

Additional tips and considerations

As your life evolves, so does your social circle. It’s a good idea to review your friends list regularly to ensure it reflects your current connections. If you find individuals you no longer wish to maintain contact with, consider updating your list accordingly. 

ALSO READ: How to hide likes on Facebook and Instagram

For situations where you’re not ready to unfriend or block someone but need some temporary distance, Facebook’s ‘Take a Break’ feature is a useful tool. It allows you to see less of their posts without them knowing, offering a discreet way to manage your interactions. 

Additionally, if you’re concerned about old posts being visible to certain people, you can limit the audience for past posts. By setting them to “Friends Only” or even a custom list, you can maintain greater control over your privacy and online presence.