As the social media world evolves, so do security, visibility, and privacy concerns on the different platforms, including TikTok.
Users, therefore, seek to strike a balance between their online engagement and privacy while using social media.
As a TikTok user have you ever wondered; ‘Can people see who you follow on TikTok?’.
If yes, then you’re in the right place because this article is going to help you answer that question.
Yes, by default if you have a public TikTok account, people can see who you follow when they visit your profile.
So in the forthcoming sections of this article, I will help you understand the TikTok following list and show you how to show or hide it if you want.
Understanding the TikTok following list
Your Following list is an index of TikTok accounts you follow. It can provide insight into your interests, affiliations, and social circles.
The TikTok Following list has a couple of benefits for example it enables you to tailor your TikTok content to your preference.
The videos by the TikTok creators or accounts you follow will be placed in the For you section of your TikTok.
This way you only view the content you prefer instead of being given everything from TikTok.
You can also easily stay updated about new content because anytime an account you follow posts new content, you get notified.
Additionally, it can be pretty easy for you to revisit any content from your favorite creators, all you have to do is check your following list for the particular account.
Furthermore, if you are a content creator or influencer, having a public Following list can attract other creators, potential collaborators, and brands interested in your niche, hence fostering a sense of community.
However, it is also worth noting that having your following list visible to the public raises some privacy and safety concerns since it may attract negative along positive attention.
It may also lead to misconceptions about you since you are often associated with the people you interact with, in this case, the TikTik accounts you follow.
How your TikTok privacy settings affect your Following list visibility
Depending on your TikTok privacy settings, your Following list can either be viewed by the public or hidden.
As already mentioned earlier, if your account is set to public everyone; follower or not will be able to see who you follow.
On the other hand, if your TikTok account is private, your following list is not visible to the public, only your approved followers can view it, just like any other content on your account.
If you would like to change your account to Private, open your Tiktok go to your Profile, tap Settings & Privacy > Privacy, and turn on the Private account option to switch your account from public to private.
How to hide your TikTok following list
If you have a public TikTok account but do not wish to show your following list to the public, follow the steps below for how to hide who you follow on TikTok:
Open the TikTok app and go to your Profile (tap profile photo at the bottom right ), go to Settings and Privacy via the hamburger menu (☰) at the top right corner.
Tap Privacy then scroll down to the Following list and select Only Me.
With this, none of your followers or any other user can see the people you follow on TikTok.
If someone taps on your Following list they will get an error that the following is hidden.
FAQs
Q. Can I control who sees my Following list?
Yes, you can control who sees your Following list by modifying your privacy settings.
You can choose to make it visible to everyone, only your followers, or keep it private.
Q. Why should I make my Following list private?
Making your Following list private can be a way to control the information you share on the TikTok platform.
It can help protect your privacy and prevent others from gaining insight into your interests and connections.
Q. Are there any risks in having a public Following list?
Having a public Following list could potentially reveal your interests and connections to a wider audience, which might be a concern if you value your privacy and want to keep your online activity discreet or for select viewers.
Q. Can I see who follows me on TikTok?
Yes, TikTok allows you to see the list of your followers.
You can find this by going to your Profile and checking Followers.
Additionally, other people can view your Followers list as well when they check this same section.
Q. Does TikTok use my Following list to recommend content to me?
Yes, TikTok’s algorithm might use the accounts you follow to suggest content that matches your interests and preferences.
This can enhance your content discovery experience on the platform.
Q. Will hiding my Following list affect my TikTok experience?
Hiding your Following list shouldn’t significantly impact your TikTok experience.
The content you see on your “For You” page is mainly influenced by TikTok’s algorithm and your interactions.
Q. Can I see who my friends are following on TikTok?
Yes, you can see who your friends are following by visiting their profiles unless they have set their Following lists to private.
Q. Can I hide my Following list from specific people on TikTok?
No. TikTok’s privacy settings generally apply to all users, not specific individuals.
If your account is private, your Following list is usually hidden from all users who are not your approved followers.
if my TikTok is private can they see who I follow
No, if your account is set to private, only the people you’ve approved will see who you follow.
Conclusion
In summary, your TikTok Following can be a reflection of your passions and connections, enhancing your experience within the TikTok community.
Understanding and controlling this feature can help you shape your digital identity.
TikTok leaves the decision to make your Following list visible or private entirely up to you, enabling you to either openly share your interests and connections publicly or not.
