Why Am I Following Someone on Facebook I Never Followed?

Ever scroll through your Facebook feed and see a post from someone you swear you never followed? It’s a common, and frankly, unsettling experience. The likely culprit? A combination of Facebook’s algorithms, platform quirks, and, in some rarer cases, potential security breaches. Facebook automatically suggests and sometimes automatically follows pages or profiles based on your interests, friends’ activities, and overall engagement on the platform. This is often the primary reason why you’re suddenly seeing updates from someone you never actively chose to follow. However, let’s delve into the nuanced reasons behind this phenomenon.

Decoding the Facebook Follow Mystery

Facebook operates on a complex web of algorithms designed to keep you engaged. Their goal is simple: more engagement, more ad views, more revenue. To achieve this, they analyze your behavior and preferences to suggest content they believe you’ll find interesting. This can lead to unintended follows. Let’s dissect the main reasons you might be following someone you never intended to:

Algorithm-Driven Suggestions & Automatic Following

This is the most common offender. Facebook’s algorithm constantly monitors your activity. It analyzes:

• Your Likes: Pages, posts, and comments you’ve liked provide crucial data.
• Your Friends: People your friends follow are often suggested to you.
• Groups You’re In: Shared group memberships can trigger follows of related pages.
• Searches: Past searches influence the type of content you’re shown.
• Engagement: How often you interact with certain types of posts.

Based on this data, Facebook might automatically follow pages or profiles it believes align with your interests. Sometimes, this is subtle, perhaps a local business you searched for once. Other times, it’s more perplexing, like a distant acquaintance or a niche interest group.

Shared Connections & “People You May Know”

The “People You May Know” feature is another breeding ground for accidental follows. Facebook suggests connections based on mutual friends, shared schools, workplaces, or even location data. If you’ve interacted with someone suggested by this feature, even passively, the algorithm might assume you’re interested in their content and automatically add you to their followers.

Changes in Facebook’s Default Settings

Facebook occasionally updates its platform, and these updates can sometimes change default settings. In the past, users have reported that updates have inadvertently opted them into following certain pages or profiles without their explicit consent. Always review your privacy settings after a major Facebook update to ensure they align with your preferences.

Third-Party App Permissions

Remember all those fun quizzes and games you’ve taken on Facebook? Many of these apps require permissions to access your profile data, including your friend list and liked pages. While most are harmless, some less reputable apps might exploit these permissions to follow pages or profiles without your knowledge. Always review the permissions you grant to third-party apps and revoke access to those you no longer use or trust.

Account Security Concerns

While less frequent, the possibility of a compromised account cannot be ruled out. If someone has gained unauthorized access to your Facebook account, they could be following pages or profiles without your knowledge. Change your password immediately if you suspect your account has been compromised and enable two-factor authentication for added security. Check your Activity Log for any suspicious activities.

Legacy Issues and Platform Bugs

Sometimes, the simplest explanation is a glitch in the system. Facebook is a massive platform, and bugs occasionally occur. These bugs can sometimes lead to unintended follows or other unexpected behavior. If you suspect a bug is the cause, report it to Facebook.

Taking Control of Your Facebook Feed

Now that you understand the potential reasons behind unwanted follows, let’s discuss how to regain control of your Facebook feed:

• Unfollow Pages & Profiles: The most direct solution is to simply unfollow the pages or profiles you don’t want to see. Navigate to their page and click the “Following” button to unfollow.
• Adjust Your News Feed Preferences: Customize your News Feed preferences to prioritize content from friends and family. You can also choose to see less of certain types of content.
• Review App Permissions: As mentioned earlier, regularly review and revoke permissions for third-party apps.
• Strengthen Your Security: Enable two-factor authentication and use a strong, unique password.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect your account has been compromised, report it to Facebook immediately.
• Utilize the “Snooze” Feature: If you want to temporarily stop seeing posts from a particular person or page without unfollowing them, use the “Snooze” feature to mute them for 30 days.

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidentally following unwanted content and maintain a more curated and enjoyable Facebook experience.

Facebook Follows FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions about following on Facebook, designed to provide even deeper insights:

1. Why does Facebook suggest pages I have no interest in?

Facebook’s algorithms are not perfect. They rely on data, and sometimes that data can be misinterpreted. For instance, if you once clicked on an article about a specific topic, the algorithm might assume you’re interested in related pages, even if that was a one-time occurrence.

2. Can friends “add” me as a follower without my permission?

No. Friends cannot directly add you as a follower. However, if they tag you in a post or invite you to like a page, you might inadvertently follow that page if you interact with the post or accept the invitation.

3. How can I see who I’m currently following on Facebook?

Go to your profile, click on “Friends,” and then select “Following.” This will display a list of all the pages and profiles you’re currently following.

4. Does following someone mean they can see all my posts?

Not necessarily. Following someone means you see their public posts and posts they share with “Friends of Friends” (if you have a mutual friend). Your privacy settings determine who can see your posts. If your posts are set to “Friends Only,” only your friends can see them, regardless of whether someone is following you.

5. What’s the difference between “friending” and “following” someone?

“Friending” someone means you have a two-way connection. You both see each other’s posts (based on your privacy settings), and you can communicate directly. “Following” is a one-way relationship. You see their public updates, but they don’t necessarily see yours unless they also follow you or you are friends.

6. Can a Facebook Page follow my personal profile?

Yes, Facebook Pages can follow personal profiles. This allows the page to see your public updates.

7. If I unfollow someone, will they know?

Generally, no. Facebook doesn’t typically notify users when someone unfollows them. However, if you were previously interacting with their content frequently, they might notice a drop in your engagement.

8. Can I prevent Facebook from automatically following pages?

Unfortunately, there’s no direct setting to completely disable automatic following. However, by being proactive in unfollowing unwanted pages, adjusting your News Feed preferences, and limiting third-party app permissions, you can minimize its occurrence.

9. What’s the “See First” option on Facebook?

The “See First” option allows you to prioritize posts from specific friends or pages in your News Feed. This ensures that their updates appear at the top of your feed, regardless of Facebook’s algorithm.

10. Is it possible my account was hacked if I see follows I didn’t initiate?

It’s possible, but less likely than algorithmic suggestions. If you also notice other unusual activity, like posts you didn’t make or messages you didn’t send, then a compromised account is a more probable explanation. Take immediate action to secure your account.

11. How do I report a suspicious Facebook Page or profile?

Navigate to the Page or Profile, click the three dots (…), and select “Report Profile” or “Report Page”. Follow the prompts to provide details about the reason for your report.

12. Does Facebook use my location data to suggest pages to follow?

Yes, Facebook can use your location data to suggest local businesses, events, and pages that might be relevant to you. You can control location tracking in your Facebook settings and device settings.

By understanding the intricacies of Facebook’s algorithms and taking proactive steps to manage your privacy settings, you can maintain a more personalized and enjoyable experience on the platform. Don’t let unwanted follows dictate your feed; take control and curate the content you want to see.