Ability to block blogs via API

[ThisIsMissEm]

Hi! I'm a tumblr user and developer, and one thing that would absolutely help make tumblr a safer place would be the ability to manage blocks via the API; Currently I can do this if logged in by issuing the right "internal" API calls at a reasonably rate limited speed, but I have to go one-by-one.

By allowing developers to write tools to help manage their communities on tumblr, it'll make the place safer for everyone. For instance, I've a script that blocks all blogs that follow me who lack any name/bio, lack any age in their bio (I don't wish to interact with children on tumblr), and then it'd be even helpful to be able to share and collaborate on blocklists to filter out abusive users (terfs, nazis, incels, etc).

Would it be possible to get an API to block blogs? This would enable people to take moderating their communities into their own hands, making tumblr a better place for all.

[cyle]

I think this is a great idea, I'll see what we can do!

[ThisIsMissEm]

Awesome! I think it'd be good if there was a bulk API too, e.g., block in batches;

e.g.,

POST api.tumblr.com/v2/user/block   { url: string }
POST api.tumblr.com/v2/user/unblock   { url: string }

POST api.tumblr.com/v2/user/blocks   { urls: string[] }
POST api.tumblr.com/v2/user/unblocks   { urls: string[] }

That way if someone sets up a new service to manage blocks, we're not sending N requests to block, but N/max-block-count.

[ThisIsMissEm]

Also curiously related: why is there no /user/followers endpoint?

[cyle]

Latest commit now includes the Blocks API as it currently exists: https://github.com/tumblr/docs/commit/b3b3b3842755f1f50c68353615bc70baca83f238

Awesome! I think it'd be good if there was a bulk API too, e.g., block in batches;

Yeah, this is good feedback, thanks. I can't guarantee when this'll happen, but I'll track it here and on the Changes blog.

Also curiously related: why is there no /user/followers endpoint?

🤔 I'm not sure what you mean. Users don't have followers, blogs have followers, which is why there are blog followers and blog followings endpoints.

[Nmeer112]

Adding Arabic is very important. In addition to adding friends, you should make a list.

[ThisIsMissEm]

Adding Arabic is very important. In addition to adding friends, you should make a list.

Best to create separate issues for those ideas, instead of co-opting this issue for them.

[ThisIsMissEm]

🤔 I'm not sure what you mean. Users don't have followers, blogs have followers, which is why there are blog followers and blog followings endpoints.

@cyle I'm referring to these:

[cyle]

Best to create separate issues for those ideas, instead of co-opting this issue for them.

☝️ please file a separate issue if you'd like, @Nmeer112

[cyle]

I'm referring to these:

Yeah, the /user/following endpoint is kind of just an alias for /blog/your-primary-blog.tumblr.com/following for convenience. Your "user" is not following any blogs and it doesn't have followers, your primary blog does. It's a subtle but important distinction.

[ThisIsMissEm]

Ah, alrighty. So, I guess I was going with a /user/blocks which is just like that /user/following endpoint; but all good!