TikTok, the dynamic social media platform that has captivated millions worldwide, often serves as a springboard for creativity and connection. However, users occasionally encounter a puzzling hurdle: the inability to follow other accounts.
In this post, I will discuss the details of this issue, offering insights and practical solutions. Whether you’re a TikTok veteran or a newcomer, understanding these challenges can enhance your experience on the platform.
Key Highlights
The Follow Limit on TikTok
One of the primary reasons you might find yourself unable to follow others on TikTok is the platform’s daily and hourly follow limits.
To maintain a healthy and engaging community, TikTok imposes a cap of 140 follows per day and 30 follows per hour. Exceeding these limits can temporarily restrict your ability to subscribe to more accounts.
Why Is There a Follow Limit?
The follow limit is designed to combat spam and ensure that engagements on the platform are genuine.
It discourages users from indiscriminately following accounts, a common tactic employed by bots to inflate follower numbers artificially.
The Specter of Shadowbanning
Shadowbanning is a term that refers to the practice of silently restricting a user’s content without their knowledge.
This can occur if you engage in activities that violate TikTok’s community guidelines, such as spreading hate speech or promoting illegal products. Shadowbanned users may find their ability to follow others curtailed, among other limitations.
How Can You Tell If You’re Shadowbanned?
Detecting a shadowban involves observing a significant drop in engagement on your posts or discovering that your content does not appear on the platform’s Discover page.
These signs can indicate that TikTok has limited your account’s reach.
The Role of IP Address and VPN Usage
Connecting to TikTok through a public network or using a VPN can sometimes flag your account as suspicious.
Shared IP addresses are often associated with bot activity, leading TikTok to impose restrictions on your account, including the ability to follow other users.
Why Does TikTok Monitor IP Addresses?
Monitoring IP addresses helps TikTok identify and prevent misuse of the platform. By flagging activities from shared or unreliable networks, TikTok aims to protect its community from spam and malicious actors.
Technical Glitches and Their Solutions
App Updates and Bugs
Occasionally, the following issues on TikTok can stem from glitches or bugs introduced by app updates.
Keeping your app updated is crucial, as new versions often contain fixes for these problems. If you encounter persistent issues, reinstalling the app might resolve them.
Clearing Cache
The TikTok app, like many others, stores temporary data in a cache. Over time, this data can become corrupted, leading to various performance issues.
Clearing the app’s cache is a straightforward solution that can restore functionality, including the ability to follow accounts.
Navigating Server Downtime
Server downtime is an inevitable aspect of any online platform, and TikTok is no exception.
During these periods, users may experience difficulties accessing the platform or performing certain actions, such as following other accounts.
Unfortunately, the only solution here is patience, as these issues are typically resolved by TikTok’s technical team in due course.
Private Accounts and User Blocks
TikTok allows users to set their accounts to private, requiring approval for new followers. If you’re unable to follow someone, they may have a private account, or they may have blocked you.
In these cases, there’s little to be done except to respect the user’s privacy settings or attempt to resolve any misunderstanding that led to a block.
Best Practices for a Smooth TikTok Experience
To avoid running into follow restrictions and other issues on TikTok, here are some best practices:
- Follow Wisely: Adhere to the daily and hourly limits to avoid triggering TikTok’s spam detection mechanisms.
- Engage Genuinely: Focus on authentic interactions with content that genuinely interests you.
- Update Regularly: Ensure your app is always updated to the latest version to avoid bugs.
- Clear Cache Periodically: Regularly clearing your cache can prevent many common problems.
- Use a Stable Internet Connection: Avoid using public networks or VPNs that might flag your account as suspicious.
The Importance of Account Age and Behavior
New TikTok users might find themselves more heavily scrutinized by the platform’s algorithms.
This is because newer accounts, especially those that engage in rapid following or other suspicious behaviors, can be flagged as potential bots or spam accounts.
The duration of restrictions on following capabilities can vary, with newer accounts facing potentially longer restrictions to ensure they’re engaging with the community in a genuine manner.
How Does TikTok Determine Suspicious Behavior?
TikTok uses a variety of signals to determine whether an account’s behavior is suspicious, including but not limited to:
- Rapidly following and unfollowing accounts
- A high ratio of follows to followers
- Engaging in spammy commenting behaviors
- Using the platform from multiple IP addresses in a short period
Understanding these criteria can help users avoid actions that might be interpreted as manipulative or inauthentic by TikTok’s algorithms.
The Impact of Community Guidelines
Violating TikTok’s community guidelines is a surefire way to face restrictions, including the ability to follow other accounts.
These guidelines are in place to foster a safe and welcoming environment for all users.
Violations that can lead to restrictions include posting content that is hateful, sexually explicit, or promotes dangerous activities.
What To Do If You Violate the Guidelines
If you find that you’ve been restricted due to a guidelines violation, the best course of action is to:
- Review TikTok’s community guidelines thoroughly.
- Remove any content from your account that violates these rules.
- Appeal the restriction if you believe it was a mistake.
- Wait out the restriction period while engaging positively on the platform.
FAQs
Can changing my account’s privacy settings impact my ability to follow others?
No, changing your privacy settings does not directly impact your ability to follow others, but it affects who can follow you.
Will deleting and reinstalling TikTok reset my daily follow limit?
No, deleting and reinstalling TikTok does not reset your daily follow limit. The limit is tied to your account, not the app installation.
Does interacting with TikTok ads count towards the following limit?
No, interacting with ads on TikTok does not count towards your daily or hourly following limits.
Can I request TikTok to increase my follow limit?
No, TikTok does not offer the option to request an increase in follow limits. These limits are set platform-wide for all users.
If I unfollow a large number of accounts, will it affect my ability to follow new accounts?
Unfollowing a large number of accounts in a short period can trigger TikTok’s spam detection algorithms, potentially affecting your ability to follow new accounts.
Are follow restrictions lifted immediately after the restriction period ends?
Yes, follow restrictions are typically lifted immediately after the restriction period ends, but repeated violations can lead to longer restrictions.
Final Words
TikTok’s follow restrictions and related challenges are in place to safeguard the platform’s integrity and user experience.
Having knowledge about these mechanisms and adhering to best practices, you can navigate TikTok more effectively, ensuring a richer and more enjoyable experience on the platform.
Whether you’re here to consume creative content or build a following of your own, knowing how to manage these hurdles is key to maximizing your TikTok journey.
Speaking of TikTok, Tekken 8 has been viral on the platform recently, so make sure to check this game’s release date and what to expect from it.