So, you want to know how to hide who you follow on TikTok. When you create your TikTok profile, the default setting is to show which users you follow and those who follow you. But there are a couple of ways you can hide your following list if you prefer more privacy.
We’ll cover each method below. The two main ways are:
- Changing your privacy settings
- Switching to a private account
Determining the level of privacy you want on TikTok will help you decide which method to use. We break down both methods below.
How to Change Your Privacy Settings
Here are the step-by-step instructions on changing your privacy settings to hide your following list:
- Open TikTok and go to your profile page.
- In the top right corner, tap the three horizontal lines to open a menu at the bottom of your screen.
- Tap Settings and Privacy.
- Under the Account section, tap Privacy.
- Scroll down to the Interactions section and tap Following list.
- Change your settings from “Everyone” to “Only me.”
Changing your status to “Only me” means that your following list is now private to you. Other users will only see the mutual friends you have, not the entire list of accounts you follow.
How to Switch to a Private Account on TikTok
The second way to hide your following list is by changing your public account to a private one. Here are the steps:
- Open the TikTok app and go to your profile.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner of the page to open a menu at the bottom of your screen.
- Tap Settings and Privacy.
- Under the Account section, tap Privacy.
- Under the Discoverability section, tap the slider next to Private account to make your account private.
With a private account, your following list will only be viewable to people who already follow you. You’ll need to manually remove any followers you don’t want to see your list and approve any new follow requests. However, keep in mind that making your account private will alter other settings on your TikTok account.
What Does It Mean to Have a Private Account on TikTok?
When choosing between a public or private account, you need to understand what having a private TikTok account entails. A private profile means you approve every profile that wants to follow you. You’ll control who can:
- See your videos
- Watch your LIVE videos
- See your followers and following list
- Duet and stitch your videos
- Download your videos
This setup can impact collaborations with influencers, so consider these changes before switching to a private account.
Why Do People Hide Their Following List on TikTok?
Here are a few reasons why someone might want to hide their following list on TikTok:
- To Maintain Privacy: Many users want to enjoy social media benefits without revealing too much about their activities.
- To Hide from Family: Teenagers or adults may prefer to keep their TikTok activities hidden from nosy family members.
- To Maintain a Professional Appearance: Potential job candidates might hide their following list to avoid scrutiny from employers.
- To Hide How They Get Followers: Some accounts use follow-for-follow tactics and prefer not to disclose this.
- To Establish an Elusive Appearance: High-profile users may follow only one account to maintain an elite and mysterious status.
Blocking People on TikTok
If you only want to prevent one person from seeing your TikTok following list, you can block them. Blocking stops them from viewing and interacting with your account entirely. However, this extreme measure might make the person curious and lead them to find alternative ways to view your profile.
Choosing the Best Privacy Option for You
Depending on your desired privacy level, you can choose one of the methods for hiding who you follow on TikTok. Whether you adjust your privacy settings or switch to a private account, we’ve presented you with options to manage your TikTok following list.