Why Can’t I Follow People on TikTok?: Causes and Fixes

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Carolyn Howell

Last Updated: Oct 25, 2024

TikTok 101
Want More Real TikTok Followers?

Are you new to TikTok and eager to discover creators and pages that cater to your interests? Are you still looking for family, friends, and other people you know on the platform? If you’ve been asking, “Why can’t I follow people on TikTok?” Here’s everything you need to know!

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Why Can’t I Follow People Back on TikTok? 

When you follow additional accounts, the app’s algorithm learns more about your interests to curate a more personalized feed experience. As you build more connections, you’re also widening the reach of your posts and opening doors to more followers. 

Sometimes, however, you may experience problems following a TikTok Account. Let’s explore the most common explanations for this issue.

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You’ve Reached Your Daily Follow Limit

TikTok encourages users to follow as many accounts as possible, especially when new to the app. This is one of the ways that the app can learn about their interests and shape a suitable For You feed experience. But you may ask, “Why can’t I follow people on TikTok?”

Note that the platform is always on the lookout for spam and bot activities, including spam following. This is when a user or bot follows too many accounts too quickly and indiscriminately. They’re not following accounts they’re particularly interested in but for future spamming. 

If you hit the follow button too fast, you may receive a “Too fast” error message from TikTok. A temporary restriction on your ability to follow may also follow. The same thing happens if you reach your daily follow limit. According to reports, TikTok’s daily limit for follows is 200. 

If this is the case, you’ll have to resume following the next day or wait until TikTok lifts the restriction. 

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The Person’s Account Is Private

If you’re unable to follow a particular account, it’s likely private. Private TikTok profiles don’t allow automatic follows. Instead, they receive follow requests and must approve them to allow the requesters access to their content. 

Blocked accounts are also permanently restricted from following the profile/s that blocked them. If you’re unable to follow someone, particularly someone you know personally, it’s possible they’ve blocked you. 

You’re Experiencing Technical Issues

Why can’t I follow more people on TikTok? App issues, device issues, or network server-side issues may also be the culprit. Fortunately, most of these problems have an easy fix! Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

  • App issues. The first thing you should do is check for an app update via the Google Play Store or App Store. An Install button will appear if an update is available. If this doesn’t work, uninstall and reinstall the app. Finally, if the issue persists, contact TikTok Support and submit a report
  • Device issues. Your device may also need a software update. Go to your device Settings and check if one is available. Restart your device for good measure. 
  • Network issues. If you have a poor internet connection, you won’t be able to follow new accounts on TikTok or perform other app activities. Try accessing other sites; if they won’t load or are slow, your connection is the problem. If you’re at home, restart your modem. If you’re outside, switch to data or find another WiFi connection. 

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Follow More Accounts To Reach Your Target Audience

Most creators and brands must proactively grow their social media connections. This means taking the two-way, follow-and-be-followed street. 

On TikTok, following pages significantly affect how effectively you reach your target audience. Who you follow and interact with influences the algorithm’s recommendation process. This involves both how it recommends content for your feed and how it recommends your content to others. 

Make sure to follow accounts in your niche and industry to help TikTok hone in on your target community with more precision. 

But if you’re asking, “Why can’t I follow people on TikTok?” It’s important to fix the issue as soon as possible. Once your follower growth and engagement gains momentum, you wouldn’t want anything to halt it or slow it down. 

To help you connect with more users most likely to hit your Follow button, sign up for a High Social plan! Reinforce your targeting capability with High Social’s innovative AI targeting technology. Start growing your TikTok today!

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Why Can’t I Follow People on TikTok New Account? Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few more FAQ to help you find a solution to your TikTok follow issues. 

Why is my TikTok not letting me follow anyone?

You may have reached your daily follow limit. TikTok allows users to follow a maximum of 200 accounts per day. To avoid an account restriction, you should also avoid tapping the Follow button too fast or indiscriminately. 

Where can I find my follower requests?

If you’re using a private account, other people can’t follow you automatically. You must approve their follow requests before they can access your page and content. You’ll find these requests in your Inbox

How do I switch to a public account to get more followers more quickly?

Follow these steps to switch from a private to a public account:

1. Go to your Profile
2. Tap the three-line icon/Menu in the top right. 
3. Tap Settings and privacy
4. Tap Privacy
5. Tap the toggle next to Private account to turn it off. 

Note that anyone can view your profile page and videos with a public account. However, you can always customize the privacy settings of individual posts. 

TikTok 101