With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms. But with great popularity comes increased threats to user privacy.
By default, your Following list on TikTok is public for all to see. This allows anyone visiting your profile to view the accounts you follow.
While some users don‘t mind this openness, 72% of TikTok users want more control over their privacy settings according to Upfluence. Keeping your Following list public could expose your interests, relationships, and online activity to strangers.
In this comprehensive guide, you‘ll learn how to hide your TikTok Following list step-by-step. I‘ll also discuss the pros and cons of a private list as a social media marketing expert. Let‘s dive in!
What is the TikTok Following List and How Does it Work?
Your Following list shows all the accounts you currently follow on TikTok. It appears on your profile under the "Following" tab:
If your profile is public, anyone who visits it can access your Following list to see who you interact with on TikTok. They can also visit the accounts you follow.
You may want to hide your Following list for increased privacy. Thankfully, TikTok‘s privacy settings give you control over who can view your list of follows.
Step-by-Step: How to Hide Your Following List on TikTok
Hiding your Following list only takes a minute! Just follow these steps:
1. Navigate to Your Profile and Tap the Menu Icon
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Open the TikTok app and visit your profile by tapping the "Me" tab on the bottom navigation bar.
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Tap the 3-dot menu icon in the upper right corner of your profile screen.
2. Select "Privacy" in the Menu
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This will open the "Settings and privacy" page.
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Scroll down and tap on "Privacy" to access your privacy settings.
3. Choose "Following List"
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On the Privacy page, scroll down to the "Safety" section.
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Tap on "Following list" to access this specific setting.
4. Change the Setting to "Only Me"
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This opens the "Following List" options.
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Switch the setting from "Everyone" to "Only me" by tapping the option.
That‘s all it takes to hide your Following list on TikTok! Now only you can view who you follow.
Who Can See Your Following List?
TikTok has clear rules regarding who can view your Following list:
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Public Profile + Public List = Everyone – If your profile and Following list are both public, anyone who visits your profile can see your Following list.
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Public Profile + Private List = Only You – If your profile is public but Following list is private, only you can access your Following list.
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Private Profile = Only You – If your entire TikTok profile is private, your Following list is automatically hidden regardless of your Following list setting.
So the only options for a private Following list are to either make your whole profile private, or specifically set your Following list to private while keeping your profile public.
Benefits of a Private Following List
Hiding your Following offers many advantages:
1. Increased privacy
A private Following prevents random strangers and followers from snooping on who you interact with. Your activity is kept discreet.
2. Avoid targeted harassment
Bullies can use your public Following list to harass you, your connections, or creators you support. A private list blocks them.
3. Protect brand reputation
If you use TikTok for business, a private Following list prevents competitors from gaining insights into your social media strategy.
4. Control your information
You dictate what others can access rather than your data being available to all. This puts you in control.
5. Improved security
Stalkers may leverage your Following list for malicious purposes. Hiding it enhances safety.
Potential Drawbacks of a Private Following List
However, there are some cons to weigh regarding a private Following list:
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Followers can‘t discover new accounts through your Following recommendations. This may limit their engagement.
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Brands and creators may seem less approachable and interactive with a hidden Following list. Fans can‘t see who you interact with.
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Having a private Following list could cause some users to unfollow you if they want full transparency.
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You lose the ability to publicly show support for the creators you follow. Mutual followers can‘t be recognized.
Carefully consider your priorities and goals to determine if the benefits outweigh potential cons for your needs.
Tips for Maximizing TikTok Privacy Settings
In addition to your Following list, explore these other privacy options:
Comments – Disable comments on your videos entirely or filter specific words. This prevents harassment.
Duets/Stitches – Limit who can reuse your videos to protect your brand image.
Downloads – Block others from saving your videos to stop unauthorized usage.
Suggest Account – Remove your account from being recommended to manage visibility.
Liked Videos – Hide videos you enjoy to keep your interests confidential.
Analytics – Limit data collected on your audience demographics and content performance.
Take Control of Your Privacy
TikTok empowers you to tailor exactly who can see your activity – including hiding your Following list. As a social media expert, I advise proactively managing your privacy settings.
Hopefully this guide provided tips and instruction to hide your TikTok Following list with confidence. Now you can enjoy the platform freely and safely!
What strategies do you use to protect your privacy online? I‘d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
