It’s a confusing and frustrating experience, when you hit the “Follow” button on TikTok, only to find out moments later that the account has been unfollowed. If you’re wondering, “When I follow someone on TikTok it automatically unfollows: what’s going on?”, this guide will help you understand why this strange issue is happening. In this comprehensive article, we’ll walk you through the potential reasons, account restrictions, shadowban risks, follow limits, and how to fix the problem. Whether it’s a bug or a policy issue, you’ll get answers and actionable steps to take.
Understanding this issue also sheds light on the broader mechanics of TikTok’s safety measures, algorithms, and automation filters. Let’s break it all down for you.
Why TikTok Unfollows People Automatically After You Follow Them
There are several explanations for why TikTok might unfollow someone right after you follow them. One common reason is a system-triggered safety protocol. If TikTok’s automated security detects abnormal behavior, such as mass-following users within a short period, it may reverse your actions to prevent potential spam.
This might resemble a glitch, but it’s often a form of protective enforcement. In other cases, TikTok’s servers may simply fail to process your follow command due to temporary lags or bugs. This results in what many call the TikTok follow glitch.
Another possibility involves violations of TikTok’s community guidelines. If your account is suspected of engaging in bot-like behavior or automation, TikTok removes your follows to minimize the risk of fake engagement.
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Account Restrictions and Shadowban Effects on Following Activity
A shadowban occurs when TikTok limits the visibility or actions of your account without notifying you. If your account has been shadowbanned, it may experience restricted reach, reduced engagement, or problems like automatic unfollowing. This can stem from suspicious activity detected, such as spam-like behavior on TikTok.
If your content frequently violates community guidelines TikTok enforces, or if you perform too many actions too quickly, TikTok’s algorithm might flag your account. Once flagged, your ability to follow others can be temporarily disabled, leading to instances where TikTok won’t let you follow anyone.
The system aims to prevent bots and spam, but it can also affect genuine users. Being shadowbanned can trigger the TikTok unfollowing users automatically issue, even when you’re following organically.
How Following Too Many People Too Quickly Triggers Limits
TikTok’s platform actively enforces action rate limits. If you’re trying to follow hundreds of users within a short timeframe, the system may interpret this as automated behavior. This type of activity can lead to a TikTok banned from following situation.
This is part of TikTok’s protection against fake engagement and follow/unfollow too fast patterns. When triggered, it can result in TikTok removing your follows, freezing your follow capabilities, or even locking you out temporarily.
In short, following too fast causes the follow bug on TikTok, and even if the system doesn’t immediately ban you, it will silently undo your actions to reduce suspicious patterns.
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Why a Glitch or Bug Might Be Causing the Issue
Sometimes, the problem lies not in account behavior but in TikTok’s internal bugs. A glitch in the app’s latest version, or a syncing error with its server, may lead to the app registering your follow—but failing to save it.
This results in a “TikTok unfollows right after I follow” situation. It's a common issue reported by users during app updates or outages. While TikTok doesn’t always acknowledge these bugs, enough user reports help surface the problem as a known TikTok following glitch.
Other cases include app cache corruption, compatibility issues, or outdated versions. If you haven’t updated your app recently, or if you're using an unstable version, that could be the root cause.
To fix such bugs, many users resort to clearing the app cache or updating to the latest version. While TikTok follow restriction reasons are often policy-related, some are purely technical.
How to Check if Your TikTok Account Is Under Temporary Action Block
To determine whether you’re under an action block, try to follow a few different accounts. If none of the follow requests stick, and TikTok removes your follows after each attempt, your account may be facing a temporary block.
These blocks are TikTok safety measures to counter suspicious activity lock or potential violations of TikTok spam policy. Typically, a block lasts 24 to 72 hours. In more severe cases, it can extend further, especially if there’s a fake engagement penalty involved.
Also, check your notifications for warnings about violating community guidelines TikTok enforces. If you’ve received such alerts, it might indicate a restriction or automated actions restriction.
If your follows vanish after every attempt, the system may be reacting to prior spam-like behavior TikTok has identified. You might be flagged for account flagged for automation.
Steps to Fix Auto Unfollowing Problems on TikTok
Resolving the TikTok follow glitch requires a multi-step approach. Here are actionable steps to help you regain normal follow activity:
- Clear TikTok Cache: Navigate to your settings and remove cached files. This can resolve syncing and UI errors.
- Update TikTok App: Outdated versions may carry known bugs. Always update to the latest release.
- Restart Phone: Basic but effective. Restarting can fix memory or background process conflicts.
- Limit Following Rate: Follow fewer people at a slower pace. Spread your actions throughout the day.
- Wait It Out: If TikTok flagged your account, you may need to wait out the temporary ban TikTok imposed.
- Reinstall TikTok App: Reinstallation can eliminate deeper bugs and file corruption.
- Switch Networks: Sometimes a network issue TikTok detects can lead to incomplete requests.
If none of these methods work, it might be time for a TikTok bug report to alert their team.
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How to Contact TikTok Support About the Issue
When manual fixes fail, contacting TikTok support is essential. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the TikTok app and go to your Profile.
- Tap the three-line menu in the top right.
- Go to Settings and Privacy.
- Select Report a Problem.
- Choose the category: “Following or Followers.”
- Tap “I can’t follow users on TikTok” or “TikTok won’t let me follow anyone.”
- Describe the issue and attach screenshots if possible.
You can also visit TikTok’s Help Center online to submit a ticket. Be detailed in your message, clearly explaining the TikTok automatically unfollowing issue. Include your username, time of the error, and steps you took.
It may take a few days to receive a response, but persistent problems often get flagged for priority review.
What to Avoid to Prevent TikTok From Removing Follows
To avoid encountering the TikTok follow bug again, follow these tips:
- Avoid Mass Following: Stick to a natural pattern of engagement.
- Don’t Use Third-Party Automation Tools: These are a red flag for TikTok bot behavior detection.
- Limit Actions Per Hour: Repeated follow/unfollow patterns are risky.
- Engage Genuinely: Like and comment occasionally. Passive following can appear bot-like.
- Don’t Violate Community Guidelines: Offensive content or engagement spikes may lead to TikTok violating guidelines alerts.
- Ensure You’re Verified: If asked, verify your phone number or email to prevent a suspicious activity lock.
Following these precautions reduces your chance of getting caught in a TikTok follow limit or restricted mode.
Signs Your Account Needs Verification or Appeal
If you notice repeated issues such as:
- TikTok follow limit warnings
- Following error TikTok 2025 pop-ups
- “Action Not Allowed” messages
- Auto-unfollows even after fixing cache and reinstalling
It’s likely your account is flagged for further review. TikTok may require you to verify your identity, especially if it detects spammy or fake engagement behavior. Look for prompts asking you to verify your phone number or email.
In some cases, you’ll need to submit an appeal. TikTok’s appeal form is accessible through the app when a ban or restriction notice appears. Completing this accurately can get your account reviewed and reinstated.
Additionally, if your account was previously reported or involved in automated actions restriction, it might stay under tight scrutiny for weeks.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with the issue where TikTok unfollows right after you follow can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to grow your account organically. Whether caused by the TikTok follow glitch, system restrictions, or suspected bot behavior, the result is the same: a disrupted user experience and lost connections.
We explored the most common reasons this issue happens, including shadowbans, spam filters, and following too many users too quickly. We also walked you through technical fixes such as clearing the cache, reinstalling the app, or reporting the problem to TikTok.
It’s important to respect TikTok’s safety algorithms and avoid triggering action blocks or fake engagement penalties. Sticking to authentic behaviors, avoiding automation, and pacing your engagement can help you prevent the platform from taking corrective actions like auto-unfollowing.
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Always remember: success on TikTok isn’t just about numbers, it’s about maintaining credibility, building real interactions, and avoiding shortcuts that violate platform rules. Stay informed, follow wisely, and keep your content engaging to maximize growth without risking limitations.
FAQ
Why does TikTok unfollow my friends right after I follow them?
TikTok may remove your follow if it detects suspicious activity, such as following users too quickly or too frequently. This is a safety feature to prevent bot behavior.
What causes TikTok to unfollow users automatically?
Automatic unfollows typically result from spam detection, app bugs, or exceeding the TikTok follow limit in a short time.
How do I fix the follow bug on TikTok?
Try clearing the app cache, updating or reinstalling TikTok, reducing your follow rate, and avoiding third-party tools. If it continues, report the issue to TikTok support.
Can I get banned from following people on TikTok?
Yes. If TikTok flags your account for automated or suspicious behavior, it may temporarily restrict your ability to follow anyone.
How long does a TikTok follow restriction last?
A temporary ban can last from a few hours to several days, depending on the severity of the behavior that triggered it.
Why can’t I follow anyone on TikTok?
This could be due to account restrictions, a shadowban, a follow glitch, or a temporary action block. Review your recent behavior and follow the troubleshooting steps provided above.