Can’t Follow People on TikTok? Here’s How To Fix It

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Carolyn Howell

Last Updated: May 21, 2024

TikTok 101
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Dear aspiring influencers, having a successful presence on TikTok is not just about creating captivating content. It is about building genuine connections. Following your audience and other creators is an important way to build meaningful relationships and attract collaborations. But have you tried logging in and can’t follow people on TikTok? 

It can be very frustrating because you might miss opportunities to build genuine relationships. But don’t worry. It is a common problem that many users have experienced. 

This article covers why you can’t follow people on TikTok, along with tips for getting back in the following game. Let’s dive right in!

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Can’t Follow People on TikTok? Why Following People Is Essential for Aspiring Influencers

Before delving into why you can’t follow people on TikTok, you should know why following people is vital. Success is not only dependent on your TikTok followers but also on the people you follow. Here are four reasons why following people is essential for aspiring influencers.

  1. Network Expansion

You can access a more extensive network of creators, potential partners, and fans by following people on TikTok. Networking is crucial for increasing exposure and extending reach within the platform. While some influencers brag about not following people, you don’t want to have that mindset. This is because following others is crucial to building relationships and a strong network of allies.

  1. Inspiration and Education

By following other users, you can keep up with new TikTok trends, innovative content styles, and creative ideas. You can get essential insights, improve your content, and develop your talents by learning from successful influencers. The best way to stay motivated and improve is to actively follow and interact with others.

  1. Collaboration Opportunities

Following other users exposes you to collaboration opportunities. You can explore opportunities to create joint content, expand your audience reach, and mutually benefit from connecting with like-minded creators. Collaboration is a powerful tool for growth, and missing out on it would cost you a lot. 

  1. Audience Engagement

Building a loyal and active following requires active engagement with your audience. You can show appreciation to your followers by following them back. This will give them a sense of community and encourage them to engage more with your content. Engaging with your followers builds meaningful connections and helps to grow an engaged fan base. 

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Why Can’t I Follow People on TikTok?

It can be frustrating when you’re unable to follow your favorite users. However, these issues are usually temporary, as you can quickly resolve them. You may wonder, “Why can’t I follow people on TikTok?” Let’s quickly take a look at some possible reasons why you can’t follow people on TikTok:

  1. Privacy Settings

TikTok allows users to set their accounts private, thus limiting who can follow and engage with them. If the person you’re trying to follow has a private account, it limits who can follow them. Thus, you may have to send them a follower request and wait for approval before officially following them.

  1. Following Limitations

The platform’s limits can be the reason why you can’t follow people on TikTok. The platform implements restrictions to stop spam and ensure a great user experience. There is a limitation on how many accounts you can follow simultaneously. 

This helps to ensure user engagement is genuine and controls excessive follower behavior. You can’t follow more accounts if you’ve reached this limit until TikTok resets it.

  1. Account Restrictions

Another reason you’re unable to follow people may be due to account restrictions. TikTok has community guidelines and policies to promote a safe and inclusive environment. If your account violates these guidelines, you may face a temporary block, which would prevent you from following others. To resolve this, review the community guidelines and wait for the platform to lift any imposed restrictions.

  1. Technical Glitches

Occasionally, technical glitches or app issues may prevent you from following someone. A bug or temporary malfunction in the app could stop you from following a specific user. In such cases, close and reopen the app, clear corrupted cache files, or update your app to address these issues.

A young lady frustrated because she can’t follow people on TikTok.

How Many People Can You Follow on TikTok?

One reason why you can’t follow people on TikTok may be because you have exceeded your following limits. So, how many people can you follow on TikTok? 

You can only follow a maximum of 10,000 accounts. This is considerably higher than other social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Instagram has a following limit of 7,500, while Twitter and Facebook allow just 5,000. TikTok’s higher limit enables you to connect with a broader range of creators and engage with many people.

Note that you can only follow 25-30 accounts per hour and 200 accounts daily on TikTok. If you attempt to follow accounts rapidly, the platform will alert you and tell you, “You’re following too fast.” You can’t follow people on TikTok once you surpass the 10,000-follower mark. 

This limit exists because managing and keeping track of a large follower might require more work. It’s important to remember that creating an authentic community is more crucial than merely following many people. Relevant relationships and interesting conversions should come first! If you’re unable to follow people, recall your following history to know if you are abiding by TikTok’s following limits!

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What To Do if You Haven’t Exceeded the Follow Limit and Can’t Follow People on TikTok

Do you still need help following people despite not reaching the TikTok limit? Well, don’t be scared. Here’s what to do if you haven’t exceeded the limit and can’t follow people on TikTok.

  1. Clear Cache

Having corrupted cache files on your app can be the reason why you can’t follow people on TikTok. Clearing the cache on your app will refresh content recommendations and allow you to follow new accounts. Here’s how to remove the cache on your account:

  • Step 1: Open the TikTok app on your device.
  • Step 2: Tap the “Profile” tab at the screen’s bottom right corner to access your profile.
  • Step 3: Tap the three horizontal lines beside your profile picture.
  • Step 4: Choose the “Settings and Privacy” option.
  • Step 5: Look for the “Free up space” option and click it.
  • Step 6: Toggle on “Clear” beside the “Cache” option. TikTok will clear all cache from your account. Close and restart the app to see if you can now follow people.
  1. Unfollow Inactive Accounts 

Review the accounts you’re currently following. Consider unfollowing any inactive accounts or those that no longer interest you. Here’s how to unfollow inactive accounts on TikTok:

  • Step 1: Open the TikTok app on your mobile device. 
  • Step 2:  Click your profile icon at the bottom right corner of your screen. 
  • Step 3: Click the “Following” tab to see the list of users you follow.
  • Step 4: Tap “Following” next to the user’s name to unfollow that person. Keep tapping the button to unfollow all the inactive users manually. However, note that you can only unfollow 150-200 people daily. To unfollow many people at once, use third-party “TikTok unfollower apps.”

A person attempting to follow someone on TikTok but facing difficulty while doing so.

Can’t Follow People on TikTok? 4 Alternatives To Following People on TikTok

Following people is an excellent way to engage with content creators and build connections. However, there are alternative methods to engage with users if you can’t follow people on TikTok. They will equally enhance your experience as an influencer. Here are four alternatives to following people on TikTok.

  1. Save and Watch Later

Can’t follow people on TikTok? Save and watch their videos later! Instead of following an account, save videos that catch your attention and watch later. 

This allows you to keep a collection of videos from various creators without necessarily following them. You can access these videos anytime for inspiration or entertainment.

  1. Explore and Discover

Use TikTok’s Explore tab to find top content creators. The Explore tab displays the best selection of popular and trending videos that match your preferences. By visiting this section regularly, you can discover new content and interact with influencers without following them.

  1. Engage Through Comments and Likes

Interact with videos by leaving comments and liking them. Participating in the comments section allows you to engage with the creator and other viewers. This sparks conversations and builds strong relationships within the TikTok community.

  1. Engage in Live Streams

Many creators broadcast live streams where they connect with their followers in real-time. Live stream engagement allows you to ask questions, leave comments, and participate in live events. It’s a fantastic opportunity to engage with other creators and gain inspiration.

Even if you’re unable to follow people, these methods offer opportunities to engage and connect with other users. Remember, TikTok is about more than just following accounts. It’s about creating exciting content and building connections even without following.

4 Accounts You Should Follow as an Influencer

Thankfully, you now know why you can’t follow people on TikTok and how to solve it. As an aspiring influencer, following the right account is essential to staying inspired and ahead of the competition. Here are four accounts to follow as an influencer.

  1. Influencers in Your Niche

Follow successful influencers to acquire insights and inspiration. Examine their content strategy, engagement strategies, and audience interactions. You may enhance your strategy and boost TikTok followers by analyzing their techniques and understanding what resonates with their fans.

  1. Experts and Thought Leaders

Look for accounts of industry experts and thought leaders relevant to your niche. These accounts provide helpful information, recommendations, and trends that can assist you in staying informed and current. Following these accounts helps you expand your knowledge, improve your expertise, and establish yourself as a recognized brand on TikTok.

  1. Brands and Businesses

Follow brands and businesses interested in your content and target audience. Engaging with their content keeps you updated on new products and boosts your chances of getting sponsored campaigns or partnerships. You should create ties with brands that complement your brand.

  1. Your Followers

Remember to follow your followers! Following your audience’s accounts shows appreciation and builds a sense of community. It lets you stay current, connect with their postings, and better understand their interests and preferences. Following your followers strengthens the link and creates a loyal community around your brand.

Can’t follow people on TikTok? Unfollow inactive accounts and follow the right account. By following the accounts on this list, you can engage with your audience and find inspiration from other influencers. 

A smartphone displaying the TikTok profile and the “Follow” button.

Can’t Follow People on TikTok? Tips for Building a Genuine Following and Maintaining Engagement

Can’t follow people on TikTok? That should not be an issue! You should focus on building an authentic following base. Here are six tips for building a genuine following and maintaining engagement.

  1. Identify Your Niche

Think about what you are good at, and create content that aligns with it. Targeting a specific audience attracts real and interested followers to your content. This leads to a higher engagement rate.

  1. Be Authentic

Be true to yourself. Users value authenticity. This helps you create content your followers can relate to. Share your perspectives, experiences, and talents, and allow your audience to communicate with you. This enables you to build a deeper connection with them.

  1. Consistent Content Creation

Building a devoted audience requires consistency. Research the best times to post on TikTok and create a content plan which your audience can rely on. Consistent uploads keep your fans hungry for more and attract new viewers who love your output.

  1. Collaborate with Other Influencers

Collaborating with other influencers can help you reach new audiences and tap into their following base. Find top TikTok influencers with similar content and collaborate on videos or challenges. If you can’t follow people on TikTok, don’t worry; your engaging content will attract businesses and other creators to you.

  1. Explore TikTok Features

Try out TikTok features like duets, stitches, and trends. Participating in trending TikTok challenges or using popular TikTok songs can increase your content’s visibility and encourage user engagement.

  1. Analyze and Adapt

Pay attention to your analytics and insights. By leveraging the TikTok analytics tool, you can understand which content performs well and which your audience likes. Restrategize your influencing campaign based on the data and feedback from your analytics. This allows you to optimize your content and maintain a strong following.

Can’t Follow People on TikTok? Find Solutions and Grow With High Social

Are you in a situation where you can’t follow people on TikTok? Many reasons cause this. It may be due to technical issues, network glitches, cache files, bot accounts, or TikTok following policy limitations. However, you can solve this issue by clearing corrupted caches, unfollowing inactive followers, and adhering to the follower’s policy. 

As an aspiring influencer, following industry experts and your followers helps you build a positive community. However, you should focus on something other than the accounts you follow. You should also work on attracting more audience and new followers. 

Attracting and building a loyal following base takes time, energy, and resources. As such, you should partner with an expert social media agency that can help you build your followers.  

High Social is a unique platform that specializes in helping aspiring influencers achieve organic growth by building their followers. With its expertise, you can receive guidance on engagement strategies and optimize your influencer journey. 

Can’t follow people on TikTok? High Social will provide the necessary support and expertise for you to thrive and grow your presence on the platform. Start growing real followers with High Social today.