IN THIS ARTICLE
Introduction
Remove or Block a Member
Unblock a Member
Best Practices
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Introduction
The Remove or Block Members feature empowers Community Owners and Facilitators to manage membership in their Yellowdig community. Whether you need to address guideline violations, remove inactive members, or restrict access for other reasons, this feature helps maintain a positive and productive environment.
- Remove (soft remove): Temporarily removes a member from the community. They can rejoin via the Discover page, an email invite, a share-link, or LTI integration (if applicable).
- Block (permanent remove): Permanently prevents a member from participating or rejoining unless unblocked.
This article provides clear instructions for removing, blocking, and unblocking members, along with best practices and answers to common questions.
Remove or Block a Member
To remove or block a member from your community:
- Go to Community Menu > Members > Members List.
- Search for and locate the member you wish to remove or block.
- Click the 3-dot menu next to the member’s name.
- Select Remove or Block from the dropdown options.
- Remove (soft remove): Temporarily removes the member from the community. They can rejoin through the Discover page (if available), an email invite, a share-link, or LTI integration (if the community is linked to an LMS).
- Block (permanent remove): Permanently prevents the member from participating in or rejoining the community unless unblocked.
Important Notes:
- Removing or blocking a member does not delete their existing posts, comments or replies. To hide their content, manually delete it or flag it.
- To block a Facilitator, first demote them to a regular member.
- Organization Administrators cannot be blocked due to their higher role in the organization.
Unblock a Member
To reinstate a blocked member’s access to the community:
- Go to Community Menu > Members > Members List.
- Under the MEMBERS section, select the Blocked tab.
- Click the 3-dot menu next to the member’s name.
- Select Unblock from the dropdown options.
What happens when a member is unblocked:
- The member regains full access to the community and can participate as before.
- Their previous content (posts, comments, replies, etc.) will continue to be visible unless it was manually deleted or flagged.
Best Practices
To use the Remove or Block Members feature effectively:
- Use Remove for temporary actions: Ideal for inactive members or minor guideline violations, allowing them to return later if appropriate.
- Use Block for serious issues: Reserve blocking for repeated violations or disruptive behavior to permanently restrict access.
- Communicate decisions: When possible, notify the member of the reason for removal or blocking to maintain transparency.
- Review content: Base decisions on clear evidence, such as guideline breaches, and consider deleting problematic posts, comments and replies if necessary.
- Check the Blocked tab: Periodically review blocked members to decide if any should be unblocked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a member unblock themselves?
No, only an Organization Administrator, Community Owner, or Facilitator can unblock a member.
Can I block (permanent remove) a Facilitator?
No, you must first demote the Facilitator to a regular member before blocking them.
Can I remove (soft remove) a Facilitator?
Yes, you can remove the facilitator the same way you remove a regular member.
Can I block an Organization Administrator?
No, Organization Administrators cannot be blocked due to their higher role in the organization.
Can I see who blocked a member and when it happened?
Yes, you can see who blocked a member and when it happened by following these steps:
- Go to Community Menu > Members > Members List.
- Under the MEMBERS section, navigate the Blocked tab.
- Hover over the Blocked tag next to the member’s name to view the details.
What happens to a member’s content when they are removed or blocked?
Their posts, comments and replies remain visible unless manually deleted or flagged for removal.
Can a removed member still see the community’s content?
No, removed members lose access and cannot view content unless they rejoin.
Can a blocked member still see the community’s content?
No, blocked members are fully restricted from viewing or interacting with the community unless unblocked.
What happens to a member’s points or accolades when they are removed or blocked?
Points and accolades remain tied to their account but are inactive in the community unless they rejoin (for removed members) or are unblocked.
How can a removed member rejoin the community?
They can rejoin via the Discover page (if available), an email invite, a share-link, or LTI integration (if applicable).
Conclusion
The Remove or Block Members feature is a key tool for managing your Yellowdig community. By understanding when to remove or block members, following best practices, and using the feature thoughtfully, you can foster a respectful and engaging space.
Audience: This help article is for Community Owners, Facilitators and Organization Administrators.