I have created a list of ways you can limit the harassment faced by yourself and others during the coming wave of harassment by making use of Tumblr’s privacy and safety settings. While no privacy setting can completely prevent harassment, these tools can make it more difficult for bad actors to find, monitor, or target your blog.
1. Password-Protect a Side Blog
How to Enable Password Protection
1. Open Account Settings.
2. Select the secondary blog you want to protect.
3. Scroll to the Visibility section.
4. Enable Password protect this blog.
5. Enter a password and press Enter.
- Primary blogs cannot be password-protected.
- Password-protected blogs cannot be followed.
- Posts cannot be liked or reblogged.
- The blog will not appear in Tumblr search results.
- Only blog members can access password-protected group blogs through the mobile app.
- Non-members must use a web browser and know the password to access the blog.
- Custom themes remain available but are only visible after entering the password.
2. Limit Blog Discoverability
Hide Your Blog from Search Engines
1. Open your blog’s Settings.
3. Enable Discourage external searching.
This requests that search engines such as Google and Bing avoid indexing your blog. However, search engines are not required to honor this request.
Remove Your Blog from Tumblr Search and Recommendations
1. Open your blog’s Settings.
2. Navigate to Visibility.
3. Enable Exclude from Tumblr search and recommendations.
This prevents your blog from appearing in Tumblr search results, recommendations, and tagged page suggestions.
Hide Your Blog from Non-Logged-In Visitors
1. Open your blog’s Settings.
2. Enable Hide this blog from people without an account.
- Visitors must be logged into Tumblr to access your blog.
- Direct blog URLs will redirect non-logged-in users to the login page.
- Custom themes will not be publicly accessible.
- Blog archives will be hidden.
3. Prevent Third-Party Sharing
1. Open your blog’s Settings.
3. Enable Prevent third-party sharing.
Tumblr allows users to opt out of sharing content with its licensed content and research partners, including some organizations that train AI models.
Content excluded from third-party sharing includes:
- Posts and reblogs from blogs that have enabled this setting.
- Password-protected blog content.
- Private posts and drafts.
- Unpublished asks and submissions.
- Content from deleted, terminated, deactivated, or mature blogs.
How to Create a Private Post
2. Click the arrow next to the Post button.
3. Select Post privately.
Private posts are visible only to you and do not appear on your public blog.
5. Hide Your Activity Status
How to Disable Activity Status
2. (MOBILE ONLY) Select General Settings.
4. Turn off Let others see that you’re active.
6. Hide Your Likes and Following
1. Open your blog settings.
2. Disable Share posts you like.
3. Disable Share the Tumblrs you’re following.
2. Navigate to Likes or Following.
3. Select Change and disable sharing.
You can choose who is allowed to mention your blog in posts and comments.
To change this setting, open your blog settings and navigate to Mentions.
You can decide who is allowed to comment on your posts.
To change comment permissions:
1. Open your blog settings.
3. Select your preferred audience.
Tumblr allows you to control whether others can reblog your posts.
- Anyone (on Tumblr) - Anyone can reblog the post.
- No one - Reblogs are disabled, except for users specifically tagged in the post.
When creating or editing a post, open the post settings and adjust the Reblog Control option.
10. Be Cautious When Sharing Other Social Media Accounts
Many users share Discord, Instagram, TikTok, or other social media accounts in their blog descriptions or posts.
Before sharing another account:
- Review that account’s privacy settings.
- Remove personal information that is not meant to be public.
- Consider using separate accounts for public and private interactions.
- Only share contact information with people you trust.
Remember that once information is posted publicly, it can be copied, archived, or shared elsewhere.
11. General Online Safety
Be Careful About Sharing Personal Information
- School or workplace information
- Daily schedules or routines
- Personal email addresses
- Photos that reveal identifying details
Even small pieces of information can sometimes be combined to identify someone.
Use Strong Account Security
1. Using unique passwords for different accounts.
2. Enabling two-factor authentication if available.
3. Avoiding password reuse across multiple websites.
4. Being cautious of suspicious links and login requests.
5. Logging out of shared or public devices.
Review Your Posts Before Publishing
Before posting, ask yourself:
- Does this reveal more information than I intend?
- Could this identify my location, school, workplace, or family?
- Would I be comfortable if this post were shared outside my intended audience?
- Does this contain metadata or photos with identifying details?
- Blocking users who make you uncomfortable.
- Turning off (anonymous) asks if they become disruptive.
- Limiting private conversations with people you do not know well.
- Taking time before moving conversations to Discord or other private platforms.
- You can always leave (conversations, Discord servers, communities,etc.) if you feel uncomfortable.
