TikTok is known for its algorithm-driven content, which provides users with recommendations for videos, accounts, and other features.
One common feature is the auto-follow suggestions, where TikTok recommends accounts for you to follow.
While some users appreciate these suggestions, others find them intrusive and may want to disable them.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to remove auto-follow suggestions on TikTok, why TikTok provides these recommendations, and the benefits of managing your own follow list.
Why TikTok Shows Auto-Follow Suggestions
TikTok’s recommendation system is designed to enhance user experience.
Suggesting accounts you might like based on your interests, viewing habits, and interactions on the platform.
These suggestions can come in several forms, including:
- Suggested Users when you’re watching videos.
- Auto-Follow Recommendations after following a new user.
- People You May Know, based on mutual followers or contacts from your phone.
While these suggestions aim to help users discover more content, they can feel overwhelming, especially if you prefer a more curated TikTok experience.
Luckily, you can take steps to remove auto-follow suggestions on TikTok.
Steps to Remove Auto-Follow Suggestions on TikTok
Here are some methods to minimize or completely remove auto-follow suggestions on TikTok:
1. Disable Contact Syncing
One reason TikTok suggests accounts for you to follow is due to its contact syncing feature.
If you sync your phone’s contacts with TikTok, the app will recommend people in your contact list as suggestions.
Here’s how to turn this feature off:
- Open the TikTok app and go to your Profile.
- Tap on the three lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner to open the Settings and Privacy menu.
- Scroll down and select Privacy.
- Under the Discoverability section, tap on Sync contacts and Facebook friends.
- Toggle off the Contacts option to stop TikTok from suggesting people from your contact list.
By disabling this, TikTok will no longer use your phone contacts to provide auto-follow suggestions.
2. Disable Facebook Friends Suggestions
TikTok also uses Facebook to find connections and suggest them as users to follow.
If you’ve connected your Facebook account to TikTok, it will pull in data from your Facebook friends to make recommendations.
You can disable this by following these steps:
- Go to Profile > Settings and Privacy > Privacy.
- Select Sync contacts and Facebook friends.
- Toggle off the option for Facebook friends.
This prevents TikTok from syncing your Facebook friend list and cuts down on auto-follow suggestions based on your social media contacts.
3. Adjust Suggested Account Settings
TikTok offers personalized suggestions after you follow someone new, based on similar accounts.
If you find this feature annoying, you can minimize these suggestions by managing your preferences:
On the TikTok Home Screen, after following a new account, you’ll often see additional account recommendations under the People you may know section.
Tap on the X or dismiss any suggested users that don’t interest you.
TikTok’s algorithm will adapt over time and show fewer suggestions.
This may not completely remove auto-follow suggestions on TikTok, but it will reduce them.
4. Manage Your Ad Preferences
TikTok uses your activity on the platform, such as the videos you like, comment on, and watch, to recommend accounts.
Managing your ad and data preferences can help limit the suggestions you receive. Follow these steps:
- Go to Settings and Privacy*> Privacy.
- Scroll down to Ads personalization and toggle off Personalized ads.
By doing this, TikTok will reduce suggestions based on your in-app behavior and external data, which might cut down on auto-follow suggestions as well.
5. Use TikTok’s “Not Interested” Option
TikTok has a “Not Interested” option for content you don’t want to see. This feature also applies to account suggestions:
If TikTok suggests an account for you to follow, simply press and hold on the suggestion, then select Not Interested.
TikTok will take this feedback into account and stop suggesting similar accounts.
Although this action doesn’t directly disable all auto-follow suggestions, it customizes your feed to your preferences.
Benefits of Managing Auto-Follow Suggestions
Customizing your TikTok experience by removing auto-follow suggestions can have several advantages:
More Control Over Your Feed: You get to choose who you follow without external influence, leading to a more personalized experience.
Reduced Clutter: Disabling follow suggestions can declutter your feed, allowing you to focus on content from accounts you’ve personally selected.
Improved Privacy: Disabling contacts syncing and other suggestion features can enhance your privacy, limiting who TikTok suggests based on your data.
FAQs on Easy Ways to Remove Auto-Follow Suggestions on TikTok
Can I completely stop TikTok from recommending accounts to follow?
While you can significantly reduce the number of suggestions by adjusting your privacy settings, TikTok may still show some recommendations based on in-app behavior.
You can minimize them by following the steps above.
Does removing auto-follow suggestions affect the TikTok algorithm?
No, removing auto-follow suggestions won’t impact how TikTok recommends videos in your “For You” feed.
These are two separate aspects of the TikTok algorithm.
Will TikTok stop recommending friends if I disable contact syncing?
Yes, turning off contact syncing will prevent TikTok from using your phone contacts or Facebook friends to suggest accounts for you to follow.
Can I hide specific suggestions permanently?
You can hide individual follow suggestions using the Not Interested option, but there’s no guaranteed way to stop all suggestions.
How do I manage other suggestions on TikTok?
You can manage video suggestions in your “For You” feed by liking or disliking content. Similarly, you can remove auto-follow suggestions by adjusting your account and privacy settings.
Conclusion
TikTok’s auto-follow suggestions are meant to enhance your experience by helping you discover new content and users.
However, for users who want more control over their feed and privacy, it’s essential to learn how to remove auto-follow suggestions on TikTok.
And follow the easy ways to remove auto-follow suggestions on TikTok
By adjusting settings like contact syncing, Facebook integration, and ad personalization, you can reduce or eliminate these recommendations and enjoy a more curated TikTok experience.
Follow the steps in this guide to manage your TikTok settings and take control of who you follow on the platform.
PrimeGate Digital is a Result Driven Blog that strives to go beyond ‘Conventional Digital Marketing’ through digital innovation and performance marketing. We have experience working with world class brands and products.
