We've all been there, haven't we? Stumbling across an exciting new content creator and tapping eagerly on the follow button, only to find ourselves stopped dead in our tracks. Yes, this is a story about the puzzling question that boggled my mind recently: Why am I unable to follow someone on TikTok?

I've been immersed in the world of TikTok for a while now, consuming content from the wittiest and most artistic creators the platform has to offer; I've laughed, cried, learned, and most importantly, followed the journeys of my favorite TikTokers. Yet, one day, my simple desire to follow a new, fascinating account spiraled into a mystery that piqued my curiosity: the inability to follow.

In this blog post, I'll take you on a journey through my experimentation and research, aiming to shed light on the subject. Whether you are a TikTok newbie or a seasoned scroller, let's unravel this peculiar issue together, and hopefully resolve all our troubles around the question, "Why am I unable to follow someone on TikTok?" Fasten your seatbelts and prepare to explore the mysterious world of "follow" buttons!

Reasons for being unable to follow someone on TikTok

In this section, we will explore the possible reasons behind this annoying issue, and identify potential factors like daily following limits, account restrictions, and technical hiccups that might be causing it. Here you will discover ways to overcome these barriers, so you can enjoy a seamless TikTok experience.

Reached the Daily Following Limit

TikTok has certain restrictions in place to maintain a fair and non-spammy environment on the platform. One such restriction is the daily following limit, which aims to prevent users from following a large number of accounts in a short period of time. 

 

For new users, this limit could be as low as 50-100 follows per day initially and gradually increases over time as the account continues to demonstrate responsible activity.

The App is Out of Date

 

An outdated TikTok app can be the inadvertent cause behind your inability to follow other users on the platform. Older versions might not be completely compatible with the newer updates on the platform, leading to issues and glitches, which include following restrictions. 

 

Not updating your app can further lead to performance issues, compatibility problems, and might even limit your access to newer features or improvements rolled out by TikTok.

TikTok Server Is Down

 

During the server downtime, TikTok's services, including the ability to follow other users, may be temporarily unavailable or delayed. This could be due to planned maintenance by TikTok, system upgrades, or unexpected technical issues. 

 

Server failures or cyber-attacks can also lead to server downtime. If you're unable to follow anyone on TikTok and none of the other reasons apply, it could be that TikTok's servers are down.

TikTok Suspects You Are a Bot

 

TikTok uses algorithms to ensure the authenticity of engagements and interactions on the platform. However, if your account exhibits certain behavior that resembles a bot, TikTok's algorithms may flag it, restricting certain actions like following others.

 

Such activities include but are not limited to:

• Following or unfollowing a large number of accounts in a short timeframe.
• Liking or sharing multiple posts at a speed beyond normal human capacity.
• Leaving identical or repetitive comments on different posts.

A Glitch or Bug Issue

Like any other app, TikTok also occasionally runs into glitches or bugs. These can result in a variety of problems, including the inability to follow other users. These glitches or bugs can be caused by a variety of circumstances:

 

Software updates: Sometimes, a new update may inadvertently introduce bugs that can cause glitches. These are usually fixed in subsequent updates.

 

Outdated App version: If you are using an older version of the app, you may begin to encounter glitches as the app is no longer optimized for deprecated versions.

 

Device Compatibility Issues: With a myriad of different devices and operating systems, sometimes an app doesn't function perfectly across every device, which may result in glitches.

Cache and Processing Errors

 

Sometimes, a vaguely defined processing error may cause a problem with follow functionality. The smartphone app's cache, if accumulated over time, can cause the TikTok app to run slower and fail to execute commands accurately. Clearing the cache, available under your phone's settings, can often resolve this issue.

Shadowban Due to Policy Violation

TikTok may impose a shadowban due to inappropriate or suspicious activities that infringe on the platform's community guidelines. Posts that promote hate speech, illegal products, or violence can lead to a shadowban. Frequent following and unfollowing of the same account may also result in the same consequences and a restriction on following other accounts.

 

When shadowbanned, your account gets less visibility and may have functionality restrictions. It's crucial to adhere to TikTok's community guidelines to avoid this outcome.

Fixes for being unable to follow someone on TikTok

Let's review effective solutions to these common causes:

Change Password or Network

TikTok's built-in algorithms restrict following actions if it suspects that the account holder behaves like a bot. This suspicion might arise when the account is connected via a public network, thus sharing the same IP address with multiple users. If you get caught in this web, consider switching to a private network or changing your account's password to demonstrate human-like behavior.

Update TikTok

Regularly updating your TikTok app to the latest version can help prevent potential glitches. Regular updates aim to fix bugs and smooth out operational hitches that might restrict your following actions.

 

Please remember that these solutions are general and may not apply to all issues related to following on TikTok. If none of these procedures solves the problem, it's advisable to reach out to TikTok's customer support for further assistance.

Adhere to Community Guidelines

Shadowbanning is another situation that could limit your following actions on TikTok. Activities contravening TikTok's community guidelines, like using hate speech or promoting illegal products, could trigger this. Consequently, be careful about the content you upload or interact with, and ensure all actions align with TikTok's community guidelines.

Verify TikTok's Server status

Sometimes server downtime could result in TikTok not functioning properly. In this circumstance, wait until the server problem is solved. To verify if it's a server issue, you can use reputable status checking websites like the DownDetector.

Check User Settings

If a user's account is private, you can't follow them until they accept your request. Similarly, if a user has blocked your account, you won't be able to follow them. It's essential to be aware that TikTok doesn't notify you if an account blocks you.

Wait Out the Limit

If you've bumped into the daily or hourly maximum of accounts you can follow, TikTok's system automatically restricts further following actions. Relatively new users can follow about 30 accounts every hour or approximately 140 accounts daily. Once hitting these limits, wait for several hours or even a day to resolve the problem.

Reinstall the TikTok Application

Reinstalling the app can fix any persistent issues, including those hindering your ability to follow people. This process also clears any accumulated cache and installs the latest app version on your device.

 

How to Uninstall and Reinstall the App

 

For Android:

 

• Find the TikTok app icon

• Press and hold the icon until a menu appears. Tap on "Uninstall" and confirm your action

 

 

• Once uninstalled, open "Google Play Store"

 

 

• Search for "TikTok" and click "Install"

 

 

For iOS:

• Locate the TikTok app icon
• Press and hold the icon until it starts to jiggle
• Tap on the "X" in the corner and confirm your action
• After uninstallation, open the "App Store"
• Search for "TikTok" and tap "Get" to reinstall

Clean the Cache and Storage

An overloaded cache can lead to slower app performance, glitches, and difficulty following users on TikTok. Excess cache data may also cause the app to crash or become unresponsive.

 

Steps to Clear Cache for Android and iOS Users

 

Android:

 

• Open "Settings"

• Go to "Apps & Notifications or App Management"

 

• Find App List and tap on "TikTok"

 

 

• Select "Storage & Cache or Storage Usage"

 

 

• Tap on "Clear Cache"

 

iOS:

 

TikTok's iOS version doesn't have a built-in feature to clear the cache. However, you can remove the cache data by uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sometimes our digital spaces test our patience by not complying with our commands. Dealing with my inability to follow someone on TikTok, I felt a similar kind of irritation, prompting me to discover the reasons behind it. 

 

As I formulated my understanding, I found that reasons could range from network issues, the individual being followed, having a private account, or me hitting the platform's following limit. As strange as they appeared, these limitations are chiefly for privacy, security, and network management.

 

As users, it could be frustrating, but understanding these issues helps maintain balance in the TikTok ecosystem. However, to ensure a fix in these situations, I realized an initial step could be to check our connection, request the person to accept our follow, or take a break if we've been excessively active. 

 

If all else fails, it's always useful to contact TikTok's help center support. It's necessary to remember that these struggles are common in the realm of social media and are resolvable most of the time. My journey left me equipped, and I hope this shared understanding of the matter has, in some way, made it easier for you if you ever encounter such a problem on TikTok. Happy TikToking everyone!