Facebook is the largest social media platform to have ever graced the markets, with give or take three billion monthly active users. However, it looks like its position is not going to be safe and sound for long, as another Meta platform, Instagram, is rapidly growing. But when you think about it, this is not the natural way or at least, it should not be so. Social media is an ever-growing universe and one does not need to beat the other; the sheer variety is enough to sustain a few platforms at the top.
So, why is it that Facebook’s user base increment is slowly coming to a standstill while Instagram is gaining more and more followers every passing day? Well, firstly, this has nothing to do with one going over the other and everything to do with quality, preferences, and modernity.
Most of us have given both these platforms a shot in the past and are now consistently using the one we preferred; in most cases, that is Instagram. One of the main reasons behind this wide-spread choice is quite obvious: Facebook has simply stopped trying.
Although updates are still coming in every once in a while, the platform has lost the ability to either shock or wow internet users.
There’s no attention-grabbing or eye-catching element that might make users consider using it for a moment. For all intents and purposes, Facebook today is a boomer hangout spot; younger users only have accounts to track their friends/family/acquaintances they’ve lost contact with.
Instagram, on the other hand, brings in a fresh perspective with their highly frequent upgrades. There are many features on Instagram that users have protested against, but the spirit of creativity and experimentation still keeps the platform in our good books.
However, that doesn’t mean Facebook is slowly dying; it has a loyal user base and dedicated content. Had it kept on upgrading and introducing new features and reforms, it might still be quite ahead of Instagram today.
In today’s blog, we’ll discuss why you cannot send messages to someone on Facebook, even though they’ve clearly not blocked you.
Why Can’t I Send Message on Facebook Even Though They Didn’t Block Me?
Facebook is a large and well-oiled machine; if something’s not working, maybe you should consider if it’s supposed be like that by design. For example, let’s discuss why you are not able to send messages to other users on Facebook, even though you’re sure they haven’t blocked you.
Well, there are a few things to consider here. Firstly, it’s always a possibility that they’ve blocked you, so remember to check up on that one. Secondly, Facebook might’ve temporarily banned you from sending messages on the platform. Lastly, this is the first time you’re messaging them and they don’t receive message requests on Messenger.
Don’t worry; we’re here to help you, after all. Today, we’ll be discussing the how and why of all three of these circumstances.
1. They’ve blocked you.
It’s quite easy to check whether or not someone has blocked you on Facebook. Go to their profile. If you can do that, it’s obvious that you haven’t been blocked.
However, if you want to block someone on Facebook, we can help you with that.
Here’s how to block someone on Facebook
Step 1: Launch the Facebook app on your phone.
Step 2: The first page shown to you is your Facebook Timeline. At the top on the right, locate three icons. Tap on the icon of a magnifying glass in the middle to go to the Search page.
Step 3: Search for the user you’re looking to block and open their profile.
Step 4: On their profile, you’ll see a horizontally placed long, blue, rectangular button called Message. Next to it will be a smaller, square icon with three horizontally arranged dots. Tap on it.
Step 5: You’ll see four options: Report profile, Help [Username], Block, and Search. Tap on Block, and you’re great to go!
2. You’ve been temporarily banned from sending messages on Facebook.
We know; it makes no sense to be banned from sending messages on a social media messaging service. But not all social media platforms’ reforms are understandable or reasonable at first. If you’ve sent an unnatural number of messages in a short span of time, the platform’s AI will take you for a bot, or a spam user.
So, in such situations, the ideal course of action is to delete your account, won’t you say?
However, Facebook understands that its AI is not perfect, which is why it gives the user in question a chance. This ban will be lifted anywhere from 24 to 48 hours later with a warning.
It would be best if you wait it out instead of trying to get tech support, because that’s not going to help. You can still connect with your Facebook friends over comments, likes, lives, and other features.
3. They don’t receive Facebook message requests.
Let’s say you meet someone new and they give you their Facebook profile as a contact link. However, when you go home and try to message them, you can’t do so. Doesn’t that feel so confusing and disappointing?
Well, thankfully, they might not be at fault here. They might’ve set their setting to not receive requests from strangers a long time ago and forgot about it then. Don’t worry; we’re sure that when they receive your request, they’ll contact you on their own.
However, if you like this feature, here’s how you can activate it on your account as well.
Step 1: Launch the Messenger mobile app on your phone.
Step 2: The first page is your Chats page. On the top at the left, tap on the small icon of your profile picture.
Step 3: Scroll down to Preferences, locate Privacy and safety, and tap on that.
Step 4: On the next page, tap on Message delivery.
Step 5: Under Other people, tap on the first field called Others on Facebook.
Step 6: Tap on the second option called Don’t receive requests and you’re great to go!
In all of the cases we’ve mentioned today, there’s one common solution: communication. Let this person know, through some other mode of communication, that you cannot connect with them on Facebook for whatever reason.
The worst-case scenario here is that you might have to wait for the next 24-48 hours, while best-case scenario would be if they forget to change their setting. If they’ve blocked you, wouldn’t you consider that good riddance as well? If they want to come back, the ball is now in their court.
In conclusion
A platform as large and wide and swarming with users like Facebook is bound to have the occasional tech problems. However, it’s always wise to take some time and think about why exactly it might be happening. Could it maybe have something to do with you?
For example, you haven’t been able to contact someone on Facebook even though you’re positive they haven’t blocked you. There are three solutions to this: checking out their profile, wait out the temporary Facebook messaging ban, and ask them to change their setting on Messenger.
We’ve also discussed how to block another user on Facebook, and how to change your settings to not receive messages from strangers on the platform.
Hopefully, you now have the answer to your initial query. If you have any specific requests or topics you’d like for us to talk about, hit up the comments section!
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