How To Make TikTok Followers Private

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Carolyn Howell

Last Updated: May 21, 2024

TikTok Tips
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There are many ways to manage your privacy on TikTok. You can choose the people who can access your profile and content. You can also select specific individuals who will have restricted access to you on the platform. Your privacy on any social media platform mostly involves managing your connections. Keep reading to find out how to make TikTok followers private. 

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How To Make Following Private on TikTok

Let’s jump right into how to make followers private on TikTok. You may want to keep the list of people following you on TikTok confidential to create a safe space for them in your community. It ensures they always have a positive experience when engaging with your content

TikTok’s tools and features promote positive interactions and freedom of expression. The platform prides itself on fostering communities and promoting and embracing diversity, equity, and inclusivity. It also prioritizes everyone’s safety, privacy, and security.

How do you make who’s following you private on TikTok? Your best option is to make your account private. 

With a private account, your follower list is visible to only your followers. The same goes for your posts and likes. Additionally, anyone who wants to follow you will need your approval first. 

However, a public account is always the better option for brands and creators. Restricting access to your page and content would also limit your growth. But there are ways to ensure that your followers have a safe and positive experience as members of your TikTok circle. Here are some of them:

  • Moderate and manage your comments section: You can select who can comment on each post. You can filter all comments so that you’ll approve each one before it becomes visible to everybody else. You can delete, report, or block commenters who violate TikTok’s Community Guidelines
  • Filter keywords: Comments that contain your specified keywords won’t be visible to others unless you approve them. 
  • Choose a specific audience for certain posts: If you have a public account, you can keep some videos private or accessible only to a select group. 
  • Block certain users: Blocking specific individuals will prohibit them from following you, seeing and engaging with your posts, and sending you messages. 

A woman stands behind a chainlink fence beside a “No trespassing” sign.

How To Make TikTok Followers Private: Switch to a Private Account

Follow these steps to make your account private:

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

You can also explore the other options to customize your privacy settings:

  • Activity status: Turn off this feature so your followers won’t know when you’re online. 
  • Suggest your account to others: Turn off the settings within this feature to exclude certain groups when TikTok suggests your account to others
  • Sync contacts and Facebook friends: Turn off the settings within this feature to limit who discovers you on TikTok. 
  • Location services: Manage your permissions for this feature so that geography won’t be a limiting factor in your TikTok experience. 

A wooden gate with a red and white sign that says, “Private property, no trespassing.”

How To Make Following List Private on TikTok

Whether you have a public or private account, you can keep the list of users you’re following private. Take note that if you’re using a public account, your privacy options for your Following list are Everyone and Only me. If you’re using a private account, your privacy options are Followers and Only me

Here’s how to make your Following list private on TikTok:

  1. Go to your profile. 
  2. Tap the Menu/three-line icon in the top right. 
  3. Select Settings and privacy
  4. Tap Privacy
  5. Under Interactions, tap Following list
  6. Select Only me

You’ll also find the privacy settings for the following under the Interactions section:

Tap each one to manage your permissions. If you need more information on TikTok safety, visit TikTok’s Safety Center

A black and white wooden sign that says, “Private.”

Foster Positivity in Your TikTok Community

On any social media platform, the quality of your followers carries more weight than their quantity. You can always expect consistent and meaningful engagement from followers who fit your community perfectly. And an engaged community can help you sustain growth with more interested followers. 

Connecting with suitable audiences — your target audiences — also helps maintain the health of your community. A few bad seeds may sprout now and then. However, if you’re consistent with your audience targeting, your core community’s voice will always be louder. 

Focus on the quality of your followers — not the quantity. Create content to please your intended audience instead of trying to please everyone. Whether you’re still growing your followers or already have an established following, keep your voice authentic. It’s a surefire way to attract people whose voices blend well with yours. It’s also an excellent way to foster positivity and camaraderie in your niche community. 

Knowing how to make TikTok followers private is one way to make everyone in your community feel safe and secure. Ensuring that your posts always reach suitable audiences is another. Signing up for a High Social plan can help you do just that. Instantly double your audience-targeting power with the help of High Social’s advanced proprietary AI solution. Start growing your TikTok today!

TikTok Tips