written by TikTok, the video-sharing platform, is the fourth most popular social media application in the United States of America, as 50.2% of people use this medium. Statista shares that the site had 102 million users in 2023, which is predicted to elevate in 2024 by having 107.8 million users. TikTok’s most popular category is entertainment, followed by pranks, dance videos, DIY tutorials, home decor ideas, and sports. Users follow content creators’ accounts that interest them and engage accordingly. However, the channel sometimes refuses to let you follow accounts, compelling you to wonder which wrong option you selected, and that too unintentionally. If you have found yourself in a similar situation, this article will tell you about the possible issues from the platform’s and server’s end.
Following Issues on TikTok
When you are using the TikTok app, you are likely to follow accounts that fill your feed with content that appeals to you the most, but the site hinders the time and makes you question, ‘Why can’t I follow people on TikTok?’ and why it does, let’s discuss in detail:
Issue #1: Following Too Quickly
You must have found many accounts on the social media site, which triggered your mind to follow them in one go. However, that pace painted a wrong image of you as a user, and the TikTok app considers you a bot. The same theory applies to unfollowing the accounts as well. Your follow and unfollow activity in a short time will activate its spam measures that may restrict your following activity. This further results in an automatic rate limit you will not wish to experience.
One important goal of the application is to keep the area clean and safe for TikTok users. Therefore, it takes crucial steps to prevent the site from being spoilt by these bots.
Issue #2: The following Limit
Have you ever encountered a situation where you can’t follow any more accounts on TikTok? There’s a reason for that! TikTok has daily and total following limits to prevent spam and encourage genuine connections.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Daily Limit: You can typically follow up to 200 accounts per day.
- Total Limit: You can follow a cap of around 10,000 accounts.
Privacy Issues and Account Restrictions
When you are not able to follow accounts there, it can be due to several reasons, out of which these three are the most significant ones:
- They have blocked you.
- The account you trying to follow is private.
- Privacy settings that need to be changed.
They Have Blocked You
Suppose you follow anybody’s account on the app and can’t see their activity. Then, the chances indicate that they have blocked you from viewing their videos.
It Is A Private Profile
The vast world of TikTok offers a treasure trove of content, but sometimes, the most exciting videos might be hidden behind a privacy lock. Unlike public accounts, private profiles require permission from the user before you can follow them and see their content. This is because TikTok prioritizes user privacy, ensuring creators have control over who sees their work.
Privacy Settings
Have a look at your privacy settings as well. How have you set them? When was the last time you cleared the app cache? Clearing the cache will give the app more space and permit you to follow other TikTok users who have private accounts.
Issue #3: App and Server Issues
If the suggestions above are not the reason, the app is problematic, or the server is the culprit.
TikTok App or Device Issues
It often happens that the app is experiencing glitches in the form of crashing or issues on the mobile, laptop, or tablet you are currently using. Instead of remaining restricted till the app, check the TikTok website too. Features and settings vary depending on the application and the web version. That might provide you with a better solution. Otherwise, be prepared to get stuck with a technical bug, giving it another reason to automatically unfollow the accounts that are amongst your favorites.
Hence, similar bugs hinder your following people, too.
Server Status and Outages
Another thing you can do is check if the TikTok server has any problems or outages.
The server is like a spacious library with multiple filing cabinets. The cabinets hold information related to user accounts, comments, likes, and video data. Once you open a medium, such as a TikTok app or a TikTok website, it sends a message to the server to flood your feed with the latest comments and videos. The servers obey the orders, and as a result, you get to scroll unlimited content.
However, even the sturdiest servers face outages. Hence, users cannot upload videos, follow accounts, or engage with them. This provides a good reason for your problem: Why can’t I follow people on TikTok?
Open the tab and type Downdetector website. Here, you can see the platform’s current status. The prompt will give you a fair idea of the problem and whether you are the only one the app is discouraging from using or whether other users are as well.
What Are Some Troubleshooting Steps?
You are still looking for the answer regarding ‘Why can’t I follow people on TikTok?’. Like every application, you can approach the troubleshooting strategy that has assisted many TikTok users in allowing them to follow accounts. The approach lies in Basic and Advanced troubleshooting:
Basic Troubleshooting
Restart TikTok and Try Again
Have you tried restarting the app? The old trick can still be implemented. Closing and re-opening the channel does wipe off minor glitches. The restarting technique refreshes the system on your tablet or phone. Besides, the central clearance resolves issues caused by other applications running behind.
Check For Updates
An updated app version needs to provide the required results. Grab your mobile and open the Google Play Store. See if the app needs to be updated. You need to update the application regularly so you get the latest version, as the earlier one might have bugs or technical issues. Hence, updates permit you to use an improved mode, and that can change the algorithm as well.
The Internet Should Be Stable
A slow or unstable internet connection can spoil your experience. Is your internet working? Check the strength of your Wi-Fi. If the signals are perfect, test your mobile’s data. Consider switching from wifi to data and vice versa to see if the issue persists. Apart from that, run an internet speed test and monitor the results. That will give you an idea that you are receiving the perfect bandwidth so that things operate seamlessly.
Clear TikTok Cache
When you use the application, data keeps getting collected, which further disrupts it and might cause it to not perform as smoothly as it should. What should be done here? The solution is to clear the app cache. Clearing the TikTok cache acts as an efficient cleaner, letting the app load faster and reducing unexpected crashes. Try clearing the app cache, and maybe you will be back to using the app.
Log Out and Re-Login
Did you try logging out of TikTok? Note your account details so that you can stay in your account. Then, re-login after a gap of a few minutes. The method works many times.
Advanced Troubleshooting
Update TikTok To The Latest Version
Keeping your social media platforms updated is essential as you get access to new features and additions. The social media site follows the same formula, and the application is continuously updated to enhance the user experience. If you cannot follow people, you might be using an old version, which can be a potential reason. Hence, update to the latest version to continue following people.
Reinstall
Didn’t any suggested methods permit you to follow TikTok users again? How about reinstallingthe application? Reinstalling will erase any corrupted files that might be the reason for slow processing and motivate you to start again. Uninstall the app, uninstall TikTok in your Play Store, and download it again.
Use the Website to Follow the Accounts
If the application has been down for many days, use the TikTok site to resume following accounts. The application must be undergoing massive changes that are taking time.
Contact TikTok Support For Help
Get in touch with support for help. The application has a help center, where such problems are reported and solved within minutes. Issues include login and video upload errors, content moderation, and privacy concerns. Search for the issue, and it will offer an easy way out.
Connection Issues
- Ensure that your wired or wifi connection is stable by using an online Speed Test or by using it from another device. Because a stable internet connection is necessary for using the application.
- Reboot your wifi, switch to another network, or turn on cellular data.
Conclusion
You may not be able to follow people on TikTok for a number of reasons. Therefore, implement the strategies accordingly, and you will learn the real reason.
FAQs
Why can’t I follow TikTok?
You might have reached the following limit: been blocked by another individual, the app has glitches, or the internet is not supporting your scrolling.
How long does the app block you from following?
There is no specific answer, but it typically lasts 24 hours, depending on the severity of the reason.
Why did the app stop me from following people?
You must have followed many accounts at full speed, which might have triggered doubts about considering you a bot.
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