How to Create a Private Tumblr Blog

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide walks you through setting up a private Tumblr blog, which means only you and the followers you approve can see its posts. You’ll need a Tumblr account (free) and a web browser or the Tumblr app. The steps are the same on both, though the menu names differ slightly.

What You’ll Need

A Tumblr account (if you don’t have one, sign up at tumblr.com with an email or a Google account)
Access to the Tumblr dashboard (web or mobile app)
An idea for your blog’s URL and name (you can change these later, but the URL is permanent once set)

Step-by-Step

Log in to Tumblr – Go to tumblr.com and sign in with your credentials. On the app, open it and make sure you’re logged in.
Create a new blog – On the web, click the person icon (or the avatar) in the top-right corner, then select “Create a new blog.” On the app, tap the person icon at the bottom, then “Create a new blog.”
Enter your blog details – Type a URL (this becomes your blog’s web address, like myprivateblog.tumblr.com) and a display name. The URL must be unique; Tumblr will tell you if it’s taken. You can also upload an avatar or leave it blank for now.
Click “Create blog” – After filling in the details, click or tap the “Create blog” button. Your new blog is now live, but it’s public by default.
Go to blog settings – On the web, click the person icon, then select your new blog from the list, and click “Edit appearance” or “Settings” (the gear icon). On the app, tap the person icon, select your blog, then tap the gear icon (or “Edit blog”).
Find the “Visibility” or “Privacy” section – In the settings, scroll down until you see “Visibility” (on the web it’s under “Settings” > “Blog” > “Visibility”). On the app, look for “Visibility” or “Privacy” in the blog settings.
Select “Private” – Click or tap the radio button next to “Private.” A confirmation message will appear explaining that only you and approved followers can see the blog. Confirm the change.
Save changes – On the web, scroll to the bottom and click “Save.” On the app, tap the back arrow or “Save” (depending on your version). Your blog is now private.
Invite followers (optional) – To let others see your private blog, go to the blog settings and find “Members” or “Followers.” Click “Invite” and enter the email addresses or Tumblr usernames of people you want to allow. They will receive an invitation to follow your blog.
Test it – Open your blog in a private/incognito browser window (or log out) and visit your blog’s URL. You should see a login prompt or a message saying the blog is private. If you’re logged in, you’ll see your posts as normal.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to save changes – After selecting “Private,” you must click “Save” on the web or tap the back arrow on the app. If you don’t, the setting won’t apply.
Confusing private with password-protected – Tumblr doesn’t offer a password-protected blog. “Private” is the only way to restrict access, and it requires an account to view.
Sharing the blog URL publicly – Even if the blog is private, the URL still exists. If someone clicks it, they’ll see a login page, but they won’t be able to see content unless you approve them.
Not approving followers – When someone requests to follow your private blog, you must manually approve them. If you don’t, they can’t see anything.
Setting the wrong blog to private – If you have multiple blogs, make sure you’re editing the correct one. Check the blog name in the settings header.

Tips

Use a clear URL – Even though the blog is private, choose a URL that’s easy to remember and share with your approved followers.
Keep your main blog public – If you want a public presence but also a private space, create a separate private blog instead of making your main blog private.
Review your followers periodically – You can remove followers at any time by going to the “Members” section and revoking access.
Know that search engines won’t index it – Private blogs are not indexed by Google or other search engines, so your content stays hidden.
Use the mobile app for quick changes – The app makes it easy to toggle privacy settings on the go, but the web interface gives you more options.

Troubleshooting

I can’t find the “Private” option. – Make sure you’re in the correct blog’s settings. On the web, go to the dashboard, click your avatar, select the blog, then click “Edit appearance” and look for “Visibility” under “Settings.” On the app, tap the person icon, select the blog, tap the gear icon, and scroll to “Visibility.” If you still don’t see it, update the Tumblr app or try a different browser.

My blog still appears public after setting it to private. – Double-check that you saved the change. On the web, scroll down and click “Save.” On the app, tap the back arrow and confirm. Also, clear your browser cache or wait a few minutes – sometimes it takes a moment to propagate.

I invited someone but they can’t see the blog. – They need to accept the invitation. They’ll get an email or a notification in their Tumblr dashboard. Once they accept, they’ll appear in your followers list. If they don’t see the invitation, ask them to check their spam folder or try re-inviting.

I accidentally made my main blog private. – Go to the same settings and switch the visibility back to “Public.” The change is immediate.

Can I make a private blog public later? – Yes, just change the visibility setting back to “Public.” Your posts will become visible to everyone, and your existing followers (if any) will remain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one private blog? – Yes, you can create multiple private blogs. Each one has its own settings and followers.

Will my private blog show up in search results? – No, private blogs are not indexed by search engines. They only appear to you and approved followers.

Can I make my blog private after posting? – Yes, you can change the visibility at any time. Existing posts will become private immediately.

Do private blogs have any limitations? – Private blogs have the same features as public blogs (posts, reblogs, likes, etc.), but only approved followers can see them. You can’t use a custom domain with a private blog.

Can I approve followers without them requesting? – Yes, you can invite people directly by email or username. They’ll receive an invitation to follow.

What happens to my private blog if I delete my account? – The blog is deleted along with your account. You can also delete just the private blog from the settings, which is permanent.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.