How does the new block feature work here on Yahoo Answers? Does it only stop others from answering?

Question

Does this feature stop certain people from responding to questions we've asked, or does it only prevent us from seeing or reading their messages and receiving mail from them? Thanks

Also, will the person know we've blocked them if the latter is true?

Hi Loka, thanks for the update. I tried checking your history to see your questions and answers, but it says everything is private. So that feature definitely works. It would be nice to know if blocked individuals can or can not send mail. Maybe yahoo will answer that later.

Answer 1

Heh, I've been testing this block feature for the last few days, here's what I've found out.

Yes, if you block someone it does stop them from even seeing the question you've posted much less answering it. When they go to click on it, they will get a message telling them that their blocked, so yes in a way they are notified but not by e-mail. They'll only know when they go to click on your question. They can't view your questions or answers on your profile anymore, it'll just all show up as private.

I don't think it blocks them from sending you e-mail, I have yet to test this. I'm hoping it does because all the people I've blocked haven't sent me messages since I've put them on block.

Putting someone on block effectively removes troublesome "fans" from your profile too. So if you have a stalker or clone that has attached themselves to you like a parasite, you can now remove them.

And rather by accident I also found out that you can sent your entire profile to private where only those in your network can see your questions and answers. Making it so the public can't see your questions and answers or the people you have in your network. This means that in order for a stalker to view your profile they have to be your in your network. Now the only problem with this, is that you don't have the option of approving fans before they join your network; potentially said stalker could just keep adding themselves but at least now we have the ability to block them when they do.

Now, one thing which can be both either good or bad is according to Yahoo's blog "We will be reviewing the Blocked User lists, investigating people who have been blocked by multiple members of the community, and taking appropriate action on a regular basis. By blocking trolls, you are helping clean up Answers, and improve the Answers community."

So does this mean if X number of people block Fireball226 that Yahoo will delete her? This has the potential to be both good or bad. What if people just block you simply because you're not a part of their little group? Will Yahoo remove your account for that?

Answer 2

It only blocks them from adding you as a contact, from seeing the link to email your or IM you and it blocks your list of questions, answers and stars. That's it. The person is not notified that you have blocked them. However, they will be able to tell if they look at your profile as the normal info is marked "private".

Added: You can still see the person's questions and answers when you run across them on the board. It does not block that nor does it stop them from answering your questions.

Answer 3

I asked a similar question the other day. Apparently you cannot block people from answering your question.


===edit==

Oops! I was wrong. Apparently we can block trolls now:

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-d8pH0dcoRKeB12yOcnUQp.9VCFos;_ylt=AobmEygCBelGiEo87EmjBMLpy6IX?p=22822

Answer 4

i was thinking the same thing