Enable rich social connections and user safety with robust tools for following, blocking, and managing user relationships. This guide covers the concepts, behaviors, and best practices for building safe, engaging, and privacy-respecting social experiences.

Social Connections

Flexible follow/unfollow system with connection status tracking

Privacy & Safety

Block/unblock users, content filtering, and harassment prevention

Relationship Management

Social graphs, analytics, and connection methods

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Overview

User relationships in social.plus are built on two core systems: Following and Blocking. These systems work together to provide users with control over their social experience, privacy, and safety.

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Blocking & Unblocking Users

Blocking allows users to protect themselves from unwanted interactions, harassment, or spam. When a user is blocked:
  • Their content is hidden from the blocker’s feeds (global, community, user feed)
  • They cannot comment, react, or post on the blocker’s content
  • The connection status becomes none and following is disabled
  • Search visibility remains, but interactions are restricted
Unblocking restores content visibility and re-enables interactions, but the connection status remains none until a new follow is initiated.

User Safety & Privacy

Protect users from harassment and unwanted interactions. Blocked users cannot engage or view private content.

Content Control

Blocked users’ content is filtered from all feeds and interactions are disabled.
Blocking is a permanent action until reversed. Always provide clear feedback and management options for users.

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Product Behavior for Blocked/Unblocked Users

  • Blocked users’ content is hidden from all feeds
  • Search still shows blocked users, but interactions are disabled
  • Blocked users cannot follow, comment, or react to the blocker’s content
  • Unblocking restores visibility and interaction, but does not restore previous connection status

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Following & Unfollowing Users

Following relationships are one-directional. When User A follows User B:
  • User A is a follower of User B
  • User B is not automatically following User A
  • Connections can be direct or request-based, depending on network settings

Direct Following

Instant connection, no approval required. Suitable for public or open networks.

Request-based Following

Requires approval from the target user. Suitable for privacy-focused or professional networks.

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Connection Methods

  • Direct: Follow action creates immediate connection
  • Request-based: Follow action sends a request, target user must approve
Network settings determine whether following is direct or request-based. This can be configured via API.

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User Experience & Best Practices

Follow System UX

  • Clear status indicators (Follow, Following, Pending, Blocked)
  • Easy approve/decline for requests
  • Discovery tools and privacy respect

Blocking System UX

  • Confirmation dialogs for blocking
  • Clear feedback and unblock options
  • Simple blocked user management

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Quick Start

1

Choose Relationship Model

Decide between direct or request-based following for your app.
2

Implement Follow System

Enable follow/unfollow and connection status tracking.
3

Implement Blocking System

Add block/unblock functionality and content filtering.
4

Configure Privacy & Analytics

Set up privacy controls and monitor relationship metrics.

Block/Unblock User

Learn how to block and unblock users

Manage Blocked Users

Manage and view blocked user lists

Follow/Unfollow User

Implement follow and unfollow functionality

Follow Requests

Handle incoming follow requests

Connection Status

Check relationship status between users

Follower Lists

Retrieve and display follower/following lists