A vast number of individuals worldwide utilize Facebook, a widely recognized social networking site. Being able to have followers is one element that makes it unique from other platforms. These are people who can see your posts and updates without being added as friends. While having followers can be beneficial for public figures or businesses, there may be times when you want to remove a follower from your profile.
For starters, removing unwanted or inactive followers can help you maintain your privacy and control over your personal information. By reducing the number of people who have access to your posts and updates, you are safeguarding yourself from potential risks such as identity theft or cyberbullying.
Removing followers might assist you in maintaining your online reputation as well. With a smaller and more relevant following, you are presenting yourself in a positive light to potential employers or clients who may view your profile. It also allows you to curate the type of content that is associated with your name.
How Do Followers Differ from Friends on Facebook?
Friends: Followers are individuals who are able to view your public posts and updates without requiring your mutual acceptance; friends are those from whom you have accepted friend requests and have reciprocal access to each other’s profiles and updates. Mutually agreed connections where both parties can see each other’s posts.
Followers: One-sided connections where the followers can see the public posts of the account they follow without requiring approval. Followers can be anyone who has chosen to follow your profile, whether they are friends or not. This means that if your profile is set to public, anyone on Facebook can become a follower and see your posts. However, you also have the option to approve or reject followers if your profile is set to private.
Why Remove Followers on Facebook?
Removing inactive followers can help improve your engagement on Facebook. Having a large number of inactive followers can bring down your overall engagement rate, making it harder for your posts to reach a wider audience. By removing these followers, you are left with a more engaged and active following, which can lead to better interactions and higher reach for your future posts. There are several reasons why you may want to remove some of your followers on Facebook. These include:
Privacy: With a large number of followers, it becomes difficult to control who sees your posts and updates. Removing some followers can help you maintain a level of privacy and control over who has access to your personal information.
Unwanted Interactions: Some followers may constantly comment, like or share your posts in a way that makes you uncomfortable or annoyed. By removing them, you can avoid these unwanted interactions.
Changing Interests: As we grow and change, our interests and preferences may also shift. This can result in having followers who are no longer relevant to your current interests and activities.
Reducing Clutter: Having a large following can make your newsfeed crowded and overwhelming. By removing some followers, you can reduce the clutter and focus on updates from people who matter to you.
Steps to Remove Followers on Facebook
Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to remove followers from your Facebook account using both desktop and mobile platforms.
1. Removing Followers Using Desktop
Perform following steps in order to remove followers using a desktop:
- Log in to Facebook: Open your browser and go to Facebook.com. Enter your login information to log in.
- Click on Your Profile Page: To access your profile page, click on your name or profile image.
- View List of Followers: Click the “Friends” tab on your profile page. Then, click on “Followers” to see the list of people following you.
- Eliminate the Follower from the List: Pick the follower you wish to unfollow. Then, click the three dots by their name and choose “Remove Follower.”
2. Removing Followers Using Mobile App
Follow these steps if you want to remove followers using a mobile app:
- Launch the Facebook App: On your mobile device, open the Facebook app.
- Go to Profile: To access your profile page, tap on your name or profile photo.
- View Followers: Scroll down to find “Followers” under the “Friends” section. To view your followers, tap on it.
- Remove the Follower: Find the follower you want to unfollow. Click or tap the three dots by their name, then choose “Remove Follower.”
Adjust Your Privacy Configurations
If you find yourself frequently removing followers, it might be worthwhile to adjust your privacy settings to maintain better control over who can follow you.
How to Modify Your Privacy Settings?
- Go to Settings: Select Settings by clicking the down arrow in Facebook’s upper right corner. Choose “Settings & Privacy,” followed by “Settings.”
- Privacy Settings: Select “Privacy” from the menu on the left.
- Limit Who Can Follow You: Under “Public Posts,” adjust the settings for “Who Can Follow Me” to limit it to “Friends.”
Blocking Followers Permanently Instead of Removing
Sometimes, removing a follower isn’t enough, especially if they continue to harass or spam you. In such cases, blocking might be a more permanent solution.
How to Block Followers?
- Go to Settings: Access the settings menu as previously described.
- Blocking: Select “Blocking” from the option on the left.
- Put in the Block List: In the “Block Users” area, type the name of the person you wish to block, then click “Block.”
Alternatives to Removing Followers
Removing followers isn’t the only way to manage your audience. Here are some alternatives:
- Adjust Privacy Settings: Limit what certain followers can see by using the “Restricted” friend list.
- Use Facebook Lists: Create custom lists to control the visibility of your posts.
- Engage with Followers: Sometimes, engaging with followers can resolve misunderstandings and build a stronger community.
Best Practices for Managing Facebook Followers
Managing your followers effectively can enhance your social media experience and ensure your privacy. Here are some best practices:
- Regularly Review Followers: Periodically check your followers to ensure they align with your preferences.
- Use Privacy Settings: Utilize Facebook’s robust privacy settings to control who can see your posts.
- Engage Responsibly: Be mindful of your interactions and maintain a positive online presence.
FAQs
Followers can only see posts that you share publicly. You have control over who sees each post by adjusting the audience setting when you share something.
To see who follows you, navigate to your profile, select the “Friends” option, and then click “Followers.” You will get a list of your followers as a result.
They won’t see your public postings in their news feed after you unfollow them. They will not be notified that they have been removed as a follower.
Yes, removed followers can follow you again unless you block them. Blocking is the only way to prevent someone from following you again permanently.
To prevent someone from following you, you can block them. Go to “Settings,” select “Blocking,” and enter their name to add them to your block list.
Conclusion
Managing your followers on Facebook is an essential aspect of maintaining control over your social media presence. By understanding how to remove followers and adjust your privacy settings, you can create a safer and more curated online space. Whether you’re a social media manager or an individual user, these steps will help you take charge of your digital footprint.
Remember, your online presence is an extension of yourself or your brand. Keeping it clean, relevant, and engaging ensures that you make the most out of your social media interactions. If you found this guide helpful, don’t hesitate to share it with others looking to manage their Facebook followers effectively.
