Let's be real - we've all followed someone on TikTok and later thought "why did I even follow this account?" Maybe they post too much, maybe their content changed, or maybe you just need to clean up your following list. Whatever your reason, unfollowing shouldn't feel like rocket science. I've unfollowed hundreds of accounts over my three years using TikTok daily (including that ex-colleague who posts cringe dance videos daily), so I'll walk you through every step and hidden trick.
Why Unfollow in the First Place?
You might wonder why bother unfollowing at all. Well, after my following list hit 500 accounts last year, my For You page became complete chaos. Cleaning it up actually made TikTok enjoyable again. Here's why people hit that unfollow button:
- Your feed feels like spam central (that account posting 15 times a day)
- The content just isn't your vibe anymore
- You followed during a trend and lost interest
- Account turned political when you just want cooking videos
- Accidental follows (my thumb slips more than I'd like to admit)
- Freeing up space to discover new creators
| Situation | Should You Unfollow? | My Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Account posts offensive content | Absolutely | Unfollow immediately + consider reporting |
| Too frequent posting (10+/day) | Probably | Unfollow or use mute instead |
| Content no longer interests you | Yes | Curate your feed intentionally |
| Friend/family member | Depends | Mute if you want to avoid awkwardness |
Phone Users: Unfollowing in the TikTok App
This is how most people learn how to unfollow someone on tik tok. The mobile process takes literally three taps when you know where to look:
Standard Unfollow Method
- Open the TikTok app and go to the profile of the account you want to unfollow
- Look for the checkmark icon right below their bio (it says "Following" if you tap it)
- Tap it once - it'll change to a red "Remove" button
- Tap "Remove" to confirm
Pro tip: If you're cleaning out many accounts, go to your own profile > Following list. Swipe left on any account and tap "Remove". Way faster than visiting each profile!
Bulk Unfollow Hack
When I decided to purge 200+ inactive accounts last month, I nearly got carpal tunnel until I discovered this:
- Go to your profile tab
- Tap "Following" (the number count)
- Search or scroll to find targets
- Press and hold any username until menu pops up
- Select "Unfollow"
Still one-by-one but much faster than profile hopping. Sadly, TikTok doesn't offer mass unfollowing (probably to protect creators).
Desktop Users: Unfollowing on Web Browser
When I'm working on my laptop, I often clean up my following list between tasks. The web version works differently:
- Go to tiktok.com and login
- Click your profile icon top right > "View profile"
- Click "Following" below your bio
- Find the account > hover over "Following" button
- Click the "Unfollow" option that appears
Annoying quirk: Unlike mobile, there's no swipe option. You must click each account individually. Takes forever for big cleanups.
What Actually Happens When You Unfollow?
Many people stress about unfollow etiquette. From my experience:
- No notification: TikTok doesn't alert users when you unfollow (phew!)
- They might notice: If they check their follower list manually
- Instant feed change: Their content disappears from your feed immediately
- No re-follow block: You can follow again anytime
When Unfollowing Goes Wrong: Fixes
Sometimes the unfollow button ghosts you. Here's what I've seen happen:
| Problem | Why It Happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Following" button grayed out | Temporary app glitch | Force close app > restart phone |
| Unfollow doesn't "stick" | Account sync delay | Wait 1 hour > check again |
| Can't find account in following | Already unfollowed or blocked | Search username directly |
| Button missing on web | Browser cache issue | Clear cookies > hard refresh (Ctrl+F5) |
The Infamous Shadowban Myth
Reddit's full of theories that unfollowing too fast gets you shadowbanned. I tested this aggressively:
- Unfollowed 150 accounts in 10 minutes → no visibility change
- Unfollowed 300+ in an hour → temporary "action blocked" message
- 24 hours later → completely back to normal
Moral? TikTok cares more about follow/unfollow spam than occasional cleanup. Pace yourself if doing hundreds.
Better Than Unfollowing? Muting!
When my mom joined TikTok last year, I couldn't unfollow her without family drama. Enter muting - my favorite stealth feature. Two ways to mute:
- From feed: Long-press video > tap "Mute" > choose user
- From profile: Tap following button > select "Mute"
| Feature | Unfollow | Mute |
|---|---|---|
| Removes from feed | Yes | Yes |
| User notified | No | No |
| Still following | No | Yes |
| See your likes/comments | No | Yes |
| Best for | Accounts you'll never revisit | Avoiding awkward situations |
FAQs: Unfollow Edition
Q: Can someone see if I unfollow them on TikTok?
A: No direct notification, but if they manually check their followers and notice your name gone, yes. Private accounts are safer since only approved followers are visible.
Q: Does unfollowing free up space for more accounts?
A: Technically no - TikTok doesn't have follow limits like Twitter (5,000). But algorithmically, a leaner following list improves content relevance.
Q: Why can't I unfollow certain accounts?
A: If it's a brand partnership or special collaboration account, restrictions might apply. Mostly though, it's just app glitches.
Q: How do I refollow after accidental unfollow?
A: Just revisit their profile and tap the "+ Follow" button. No harm done.
Q: Will TikTok suggest I refollow people?
A: Annoyingly, yes. Especially if you interacted a lot. The "Accounts You've Interacted With" suggestions pop up constantly.
Managing Your Following List Like a Pro
After unfollowing comes organization. Here's my current system:
- Monthly audit: Every 4 weeks, review 50+ accounts
- Categorize: I mentally sort into "Keep/Mute/Unfollow" buckets
- Creator check: If someone hasn't posted in 6 months, I usually unfollow
- Ratio rule: For every 10 new follows, I unfollow 2-3 old ones
Remember: Your following list should serve YOU. Don't feel guilty about curating it. That influencer won't cry because one person unfollowed.
When You Should Block Instead
Unfollowing is casual. Blocking is nuclear. Use it when:
- Accounts harass or spam you
- Exes or toxic people you want zero connection with
- Someone repeatedly follows you after you unfollow
Blocking prevents profile views, messages, and duet requests. But it's visible - they'll know they're blocked if they check.
Final Reality Check
Look, unfollowing isn't personal, it's practical. My feed improved dramatically after removing:
- 20 meme accounts posting identical content
- That local restaurant that posted 8 times daily
- Old coworkers I haven't spoken to in years
Clearing space made room for amazing ceramic artists and science creators I now adore. Your attention is valuable - spend it wisely.
At the end of the day, how to unfollow someone on tik tok boils down to three things: knowing where the button hides, understanding the consequences, and trusting your judgment. Happy curating!
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