I. Introduction
Since its launch in 2016, TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon attracting people across generations to its enjoyable, short-form video platform. With millions of users worldwide, TikTok offers a wide variety of content, from funny dances to beauty tutorials, that keeps users engaged and entertained. However, it is also important to learn how to manage the content that pops up on your feed and who you’re following. This article will provide you with the step-by-step guide on how to unfollow someone on TikTok, and why it is important to do so.
II. Step-by-Step Guide
Unfollowing someone on TikTok is a simple, straightforward process that requires a few taps.
Step 1: Find the User’s Profile
Tap on the white icon with a magnifying glass located at the bottom of your screen to go to the ‘Discover’ page. Type the username of the person you wish to unfollow in the search bar at the top and click ‘search’.
Step 2: Go to the user’s profile
Once you see the user’s profile, click on it to be directed to the person’s profile page.
Step 3: Unfollow the user
On the user’s profile page, you will find the ‘Following’ button next to their username. Tap on it, and it will change to red and say ‘Follow’. This specifies that you have unfollowed the user.
It is important to note that when you unfollow a user, you no longer see their new content on your ‘For You’ page. You may still see their content if it appears on someone else’s profile or on the ‘Discover’ page if it matches your interests. Moreover, you may still receive notifications from that person if you have a direct message conversation with them or if they create content with other users you follow.
III. Video Tutorial
To further clarify the unfollowing process, it can be helpful to observe a video tutorial.
This video tutorial presents a quick and easy way of unfollowing a user on TikTok. It offers a hands-on experience showcasing the full process, and includes potential technical issues and how to solve them.
IV. Comparison and Contrast
It is essential to understand both the benefits and drawbacks of unfollowing a user on TikTok.
Benefits
Unfollowing a user on TikTok can be beneficial for a few reasons:
- Reduce unwanted content: While TikTok’s algorithm is excellent at identifying your interests, it may still suggest videos of users you just do not want to see on your ‘For You’ page. Unfollowing them can reduce the likelihood of seeing their content from your algorithmic feed.
- Avoid problematic content: Some users may post problematic or offensive content, and unfollowing them can eradicate them from your feed and prevent engagement with their inappropriate material.
Drawbacks
Unfollowing a user can also have some drawbacks:
- Affect the unfollowed user’s engagement: When you unfollow someone, their account’s statistics decrease, such as their follower count, views, likes, and comments. Oftentimes, this can have a negative impact on the user and affect their engagement.
- Affect Viewer’s algorithmic feed: TikTok’s algorithm adapts to what you like and engage with; unfollowing a user disrupts this, and the algorithm will show you the content that is more irrelevant to your preference.
It’s important to recognize that the negatives are usually outweighed by the positives in the decision to unfollow a user.
V. Expert Opinion
Debra Aho Williamson, eMarketer’s principal analyst at Insider Intelligence, offers some expert advice on the topic of unfollowing someone on Tiktok.
“It’s essential for creators to have a dedicated following to grow their audience and gain more exposure on TikTok. So, unfollowing someone can have an impact on their growth if several people stop following them. As a user, it can be helpful to unfollow accounts that do not provide you with the content you want and do not add to your experience on the platform.”
Williamson’s insights highlight the importance of maintaining your algorithmic feed and understanding how it affects viewers’ engagement.
VI. Troubleshooting
There may be some complications that you may encounter when trying to unfollow someone on TikTok. Here are some ways to troubleshoot those issues:
Technical Issues:
If your unfollowing attempts aren’t working or the system is malfunctioning, try the following:
- Restart your app: This may help reset your system, and you can try unfollowing again.
- Update your app: Check for any available updates that may address any bugs or fixes in the system.
- Log in and log out of your account: Sometimes logging out and back in can help resolve any technical issues that may be interfering with the unfollowing process.
Dealing with Spam Accounts:
If you notice a lot of fake accounts following you, you can use the following steps to deal with them:
- Block the Spam Account: The ‘Block’ button is located in the same drop-down menu as ‘Follow/ Following’ on the user’s profile.
- Report the Spam Account: Reporting a spam account makes it possible for TikTok to investigate and potentially remove the account from the platform.
- Restrict Non-followers from Viewing Your Profile: By changing privacy settings to ‘Private Account,’ you can restrict non-followers from following you and limit spam accounts’ opportunities from following you.
VII. User Experiences
It’s valuable to understand how other users have approached the decision to unfollow or follow someone on TikTok. Here are some user stories to illustrate different scenarios.
User Story 1:
Julie, 28, had been following a TikTok star for months until she saw some content that didn’t sit well with her. The star had made a joke about a certain group of people, which made Julie feel uncomfortable. Julie ultimately decided to unfollow the star to show she did not support that kind of content on the platform.
User Story 2:
Steve, 21, followed a variety of creators on TikTok; however, his ‘For You’ page continuously featured content that he did not enjoy or find relevant. He decided to unfollow accounts that were not giving him the content he wanted or not contributing to his enjoyment of the platform.
VIII. Conclusion
Unfollowing someone on TikTok allows you to tailor your algorithmic feed to the content you want to see and ensure you are not engaging with problematic or unwanted content. It’s essential to understand the benefits and drawbacks of unfollowing someone, and this guide offers expert advice, troubleshooting tips and user stories to help viewers decide.
