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Add an option to block users/remove followers

New Feature Addition · World management · Created by notahumanhand

accepted

What functionality is missing? What is unsatisfying with the current situation?

There are some people I've met through WorldAnvil that, for one reason or another, have made me uncomfortable. In many of these cases, it's possible to just file a report and for the WorldAnvil team to handle it - however, I've found that a few of these cases don't involve the user doing anything technically wrong. For example, there's a person who I've found I disagree with on a few things I think are very important, and I want to interact with them as little as possible - yet I am reminded of them every time they like one of my articles.

How does this feature request address the current situation?

Being able to remove a follower from my own world would mean notifications would no longer be sent to them, and they would be less likely to see my articles. Being able to block a user would prevent these interactions entirely. I've found that being able to block people on social media platforms is useful to avoid potential conflict or discomfort without making a big deal of things.

What are other uses for this feature request?

Being able to block people and prevent interaction with them would mean that people wouldn't necessarily have to make a report for more trivial matters, and wouldn't have to escalate disagreements with other users.

The Team's Response

Hi! This has already been accepted by investigation in the past, and I can confirm it's still on our list to implement. In the meantime, if you find anyone breaking the Etiquette, you can report them with the community reporting form (also available in the footer of every article on World Anvil)

Current score

127/300 Votes · +31307 points

Votes Cast

+1

by Joshy Shadow
on 2024-02-28 15:44
+100

by A Roaring Dimensional Horror
on 2024-02-27 22:06
+300

by A Mischievous Cthulhu
on 2024-02-27 16:49
+300

by PrincessESH
on 2024-02-26 22:30
A blocking function is necessary for any social platform. I am amazed that world anvil has gotten away this long without implementing one. It's nice to believe that everyone in the community is an angel, but it's not true. Either way, it's better to have something and not need it than need something and not have it.
-100

by A Cute Bananafolk
on 2024-02-26 18:37
+300

by Telarn
on 2024-02-26 10:37
+1

by Masha Medov
on 2024-02-26 02:15
+100

by Corwin_Mcgee
on 2024-02-25 22:03
+100

by jandis
on 2024-02-25 17:10
The idea is good and neccesary for such a large community but I have a concern that it will likely be exploited and misused in some manner. As others have pointed out, echo chambers and gatekeeping cliques are likely to form just based on one person's percieved dislike of another. If implemented, it needs to be heavily scrutinized so as to limit isolating members of the community who may create articles or express themselves in a manner that doesn't always adhere to the norm.
+300

by Moonlight Bard
on 2024-02-25 15:42
Copyright claims, stalking/parasocial exploitation, escaping an abusive relationship. All of these situations are real, can occur, and can be greatly mitigated by a user's ability to control who can and cannot follow them. I think that there should be layers to this system, such as the ability to remove a follower, remove a follower AND block them from seeing ANYTHING I do on WA, or remove AND block AND open a report form.
+100

by Occasional Anvilite
on 2024-02-25 15:06
This is a good idea, but I have to agree with Chrispy_0 that a block button which can be used even if the user has done nothing wrong is an easy way for an echo chamber to be created, and for users to block someone just because they perceive a dislike from them, even if they have never been toxic or mean. However, I think safety features are a good (and, with the WA community so large, necessary) idea, and it should be possible to remove a follower. It should definitely not be possible to stop someone liking or viewing public articles. Really, if someone has broken the WA rules, then they should be reported and punished. If someone hasn't broken the WA rules, they have done nothing wrong.
+300

by ValentineDM
on 2024-02-25 07:32
+300

by A Enfeebled Dryad
on 2024-02-25 03:29
+300

by HunterChristmas1247
on 2024-02-25 03:11
+100

by ToothGardener
on 2024-02-25 02:39
+300

by devinsxdesigns
on 2024-02-25 02:33
I also found this somewhat troubling recently when I had a falling-out with someone who had been playing in a campaign of mine, and had a character in my world. This person was therefore a subscriber and follower of my world - and it took me quite some time both to figure out how to revoke some of those privileges for them, as well as how to remove their characters from my world. The process to remove their characters from my world was too complicated. I understand making sure I can't delete someone else's character, but we as the owners of the world should be able to easily remove a player character, as well as block/remove followers.
+300

by CannedStrawberries
on 2024-02-25 00:12
+300

by PrincessHoneytea
on 2024-02-24 20:34
+300

by Tris
on 2024-02-24 20:02
+100

by HGTp
on 2024-02-24 19:13
+100

by Rayna Fairbell
on 2024-02-24 16:39
+300

by Stormbril
on 2024-02-24 16:36
+300

by MLHammond
on 2024-02-24 16:30
+300

by AlexHarlequin
on 2024-02-24 16:20
+300

by Aegrist13
on 2024-02-24 16:02
+300

by CrazyEddie
on 2024-02-24 15:14
+300

by Kefkejaco
on 2024-02-24 14:51
+1

by A Sneaky Kobold
on 2024-02-24 14:41
+300

by Chrispy_0
on 2024-02-24 14:22
The only thing a block button like the one on Twitter does is make you a member of a rapidly shrinking, insulated echo chamber of yes men that agree with you on everything, and people feigning compliance out of fear of being excluded. Because of this.... I'm all for it! I have never utilized a block button on social media because I generally like reading opinions from people who disagree with me and aren't toxic about it, so it isn't likely I'll ever use one here... But if it helps support those who can't stand being in the presence of someone who disagrees with them, then I am all for it! Everyone that knows me knows how I am and that I wouldn't have written this message any other way, so outside bot/spam accounts I look forward to the challenge of not being the most blocked person on World Anvil!
+300

by Kummer Wolfe
on 2024-02-24 13:14
+300

by Wolvesbane Manor
on 2024-02-24 13:09
Allowing people the ability to block is a good way to give users more control over their spaces and reduce the amount of reports moderators need to handle.
+300

by Demongrey
on 2024-02-24 12:41
+300

by A Wild Dragon
on 2024-02-24 12:25
+300

by Hatwolf
on 2024-02-24 11:59
It's a basic safety feature!
+1

by Wren2366
on 2024-02-22 23:35
+100

by Wretched_Tale
on 2024-02-22 19:02
+300

by themrbeasley
on 2024-02-22 15:50
+300

by M. Dixon Games
on 2024-02-22 07:07
+100

by MasterTamari
on 2024-02-22 05:09
+300

by Renufus
on 2024-02-22 03:11
+300

by natilee.writes
on 2024-02-21 06:23
+300

by fwalton
on 2024-02-20 22:00
+100

by A Revolutionary Cthulhu
on 2024-02-20 21:17
+300

by Matunas
on 2024-02-20 18:40
+300

by SoulLink
on 2024-02-20 17:46
+300

by meowkristen
on 2024-02-20 13:14
+300

by ccdev
on 2024-02-20 11:58
I assumed there already was one, troubling that there are followers without blocking.
+300

by thebwt
on 2024-02-20 01:53
+300

by noelekko
on 2024-02-19 20:03
+300

by mirescosmo
on 2024-02-19 15:39
+300

by Plasma Ring
on 2024-02-19 08:43
+300

by A Fluffy Mimic
on 2024-02-19 01:16
+300

by Blue Fairy 74
on 2024-02-18 06:53
+100

by absimpthe
on 2024-02-18 03:12
+100

by Alyvins
on 2024-02-18 02:42
+300

by Auron Bladesong
on 2024-02-17 20:47
+300

by Graylion
on 2024-02-17 18:05
Yes we need this, I still have one follower which is a SpamBot
+1

by PoppaeaSabina
on 2024-02-17 17:56
+300

by arty
on 2024-02-17 17:46
With the immense size of the website at this point, I think tools for self-curating the user experience by blocking other users are becoming 100% necessary.
+300

by Frod0_baggins
on 2024-02-17 17:31
+300

by TheDoctor292
on 2024-02-17 16:50
+300

by MageFroghemoth
on 2024-02-17 13:10
+300

by Hertzbube
on 2024-02-17 11:17
+300

by Xerolo44
on 2024-02-17 11:14
+300

by BlubGamer555
on 2024-02-16 16:11
+300

by DesNordlund
on 2024-02-16 14:25
I'm sorry to hear of your experiences. I agree that there should be a way to keep individuals you don't want to interact from iteract with your world. Better add this feature now, than it turns into a greater problem later.
+300

by Qurilion
on 2024-02-15 12:19
+100

by KyreneRosay
on 2024-02-15 11:14
+300

by PatheticBarrel
on 2024-02-15 11:13
+300

by Laor
on 2024-02-15 05:40
+300

by LoreParmenter
on 2024-02-15 01:10
+300

by SurrenStarr
on 2024-02-14 08:23
+100

by Snoopdigglet
on 2024-02-13 23:40
As long as blocking someone doesn't prevent them from viewing content, this should just prevent direct forms of contact. Preventing someone's ability to interact with otherwise public pages because of personal grievances/ideological differences is somewhat of a "you problem".
+100

by WitchyWoman128
on 2024-02-13 14:06
+300

by bphilippe
on 2024-02-13 01:58
+300

by Watchman Deedly
on 2024-02-13 00:30
I would also like to add that it would also be useful to be able to remove or block problematic users from the Author's Page as well. The above post makes a valid point. While this has been an enjoyable community, there are some folks who do not work and play well others. Ain't nobody got time for that. On all social medial platforms it is best to block users and move on without causing much of a ruckus, or relying on a slow administrative process, which may not solve anything at all. Giving us a block user option provides us with another tool to prevent unsavory characters from bothering users who just want to be here to create and have a good time.
+300

by kerahope
on 2024-02-12 23:40
+100

by DonarRaven
on 2024-02-12 20:10
+300

by eldknighterrant
on 2024-02-12 19:55
Absolutely. As nice as the core(?) community is here, we can't run on the assumption that a platform of this size is immune to nasty behaviors from bad actors. Creatives can also become petty out of insecurity, as I'm sure we've all seen before.
+300

by Warnord
on 2024-02-12 17:08
+300

by Everwild
on 2024-02-12 13:49
This is a must. We shouldn't even have to vote on it. The inability to moderate our own content by removing or blocking toxic or dangerous personalities has already chased away more than one person I've met while on World Anvil. I appreciate all the developers do here, for all of us, but something like this should have been implemented from the start. It's a paid service and we should be able to protect ourselves and our followers from the bad or predatory behaviors of others.
+300

by JR Kenja
on 2024-02-11 16:35
+100

by yanklbonkl
on 2024-02-11 16:30
+300

by Chrysochus
on 2024-02-11 13:22
+1

by LittleSister
on 2024-02-11 03:26
+300

by beebidon
on 2024-02-11 02:00
This feels like a no-brainer for any website that allows interaction in 2024.
+300

by TinkerTech
on 2024-02-11 00:42
I've seen communities that, while great, have poor moderation/management tools and leave lot of people with trouble ridding themselves of individuals they would rather not have contact with. I third Hanhula's suggestion of the block/unfollow not showing up on the 'blocked' person's end, allowing the illusion that they still have agency while putting up a virtual 'barrier' between people.
+300

by A Glamorous Goblin
on 2024-02-10 19:21
Can't believe this isn't a thing already.
+300

by Scrolls Terminal
on 2024-02-10 00:23
100% need the ability to relocate trolls and squash chuds.
+300

by A Rambunctious Ooze
on 2024-02-09 18:13
-300

by A Thundering Dwarf
on 2024-02-09 15:09
+300

by kaixabu
on 2024-02-09 11:56
Very timely for me. I have a weird troll (1 of only 2 followers, lol) and I really wish I could drop it off before I do start sending notifications.
+300

by tofistig
on 2024-02-09 09:12
This is an incredibly important feature, that I would love to see implemented.
+300

by orphidor
on 2024-02-09 06:43
+300

by Drawkill Dragon
on 2024-02-09 03:35
+300

by A Enfeebled Orc
on 2024-02-08 17:54
-300

by A Lusty T-Rex
on 2024-02-08 16:44
+300

by DramaticDragons
on 2024-02-08 16:15
+300

by MKHETH II
on 2024-02-08 15:18
+1

by OK_Diamond
on 2024-02-08 14:48
+300

by Kittymonster
on 2024-02-08 13:50
+300

by nasandre
on 2024-02-08 11:29
+300

by AP.
on 2024-02-08 10:33
+300

by Midvinterdraken
on 2024-02-08 07:37
Yes, please! Had a breakaway with two players and it always stings to see their follow in my world remaining.
+300

by spooktacular
on 2024-02-08 04:00
Would definitely be good. World Anvil seems to be moving forward in a more social-interaction approach which is great, but conflict is inevitable and blocking is an important safety feature.
+300

by BasicDragon
on 2024-02-08 03:21
+300

by zpires
on 2024-02-08 01:28
+300

by Tower of Hana
on 2024-02-07 22:35
+300

by oaster2000
on 2024-02-07 22:18
+300

by Dxman2001
on 2024-02-07 21:56
+300

by Kros!
on 2024-02-07 21:29
+300

by A Mischievous Dryad
on 2024-02-07 21:27
+300

by Those2Nerds
on 2024-02-07 21:10
+300

by Angantyr
on 2024-02-07 20:59
This feels like a thing similar to Subscriber groups. I wonder how it looks on back-end and how easily it can be implemented. People having more choice over who they interact with would definitely help creating a peaceful space/community, which is why I think this would greatly benefit the creators.
+300

by Dhelian
on 2024-02-07 20:07
+300

by Serukis
on 2024-02-07 19:41
+300

by Alishahr
on 2024-02-07 19:31
I would love to see something like this in place, and also in support of Hanhula and Vazdimet's suggestions.
+300

by Leashea
on 2024-02-07 19:11
+300

by nnie
on 2024-02-07 19:06
Tools like this are important to keep everyone safe. Sometimes it's just a personality crash that's best to avoid, and other times it's necessary to protect yourself until the administration can handle things. I would really really like to see this implemented ASAP
+300

by JoellaKay
on 2024-02-07 18:58
I think this goes along with the goal of moving more social interaction to the World Anvil site itself. I suspect it's quite a bit of development work, but I think it's important to put in that effort.
+300

by strixxline
on 2024-02-07 18:37
100% support. The more we move towards being a social-forward platform, the more I'm seeing myself and other friends having really uncomfortable (but not actionable) interactions with other users on the site itself. Such is the nature of social media and large-scale communities, so adopting more of the usual ways to mitigate this would be excellent.
+300

by Ademal
on 2024-02-07 18:34
+300

by Vazdimet
on 2024-02-07 18:29
The act of writing bares the soul in some ways, and it's easiest to share those writings when one feels safe. World Anvil has a lovely, uplifting community, but even WA would benefit from more user controls such as blocking and removing followers. Especially as the site grows, and attracts more people. It's always best to have these features in place before they are absolutely needed, and right now the only options for a world owner are to go private or disable community features entirely - which are both rather drastic options. This would allow an option in the middle. (Also, please include user profile comments and follows in this, not just worlds themselves.)
+300

by tjtrewin
on 2024-02-07 18:24
Yes. Please please please add a block function - I do not want to see or receive any form of interactions from a user who has been harassing me. Furthermore, I do not want to see their interactions in the community. If I've blocked someone, I don't want to be able to see their global notifications/posts, or see their comments on other peoples profiles or worlds either. I am very grateful for the recent addition of the report button, but prevention of further interactions is a necessary safety tool for the community :) I am also in favour of Hanhula's suggestion so that blocked individuals do not try to circumvent the measure, either on WA or by trying to interact through other platforms.
+300

by Mochimanoban
on 2024-02-07 18:10
+300

by Hanhula
on 2024-02-07 18:09
I'd especially like it if the user in question wasn't alerted to the block - their like would send no notification & not affect the article's actual likes, but would still show as being liked on their end.
+300

by Jacob-W
on 2024-02-07 18:06
+300

by notahumanhand
on 2024-02-07 18:03

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Add an option to block users/remove followers

Add an option to block users/remove followers

What functionality is missing? What is unsatisfying with the current situation?

How does this feature request address the current situation?

What are other uses for this feature request?

The Team's Response

127/300 Votes · +31307 points

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