How to Stop Following Someone on Facebook: Your Comprehensive Guide

Want to curate your Facebook feed and see less of certain individuals without the drama of unfriending? Stopping to follow someone on Facebook is the perfect solution! This action allows you to remain “friends” with the person, but their posts will no longer appear in your news feed. Here’s how to do it, explained in detail:

Here’s How to Do It:

1. Navigate to the person’s profile: Use the search bar at the top of Facebook, or find their name within your friend list, a mutual friend’s profile, or within a group or page where they are active.
2. Locate the “Following” Button: On their profile page, look for the “Following” button. It will usually say “Following” if you are actively seeing their posts.
3. Unfollow (or Snooze): Hover your mouse over the “Following” button. A dropdown menu will appear. Here, you have two main options:
   • Unfollow: Clicking “Unfollow” will immediately stop their posts from appearing in your news feed. You’ll still be friends, and they won’t be notified of this action.
   • Snooze for 30 Days: This option temporarily hides their posts from your feed for 30 days. After the 30 days, their posts will reappear unless you choose to unfollow them at that point.
4. Confirm Your Choice: After selecting “Unfollow,” the button will likely change to “Follow.” This confirms you’re no longer following their posts. You can re-follow them at any time by clicking this button again.

That’s it! In a few simple steps, you’ve taken control of your Facebook feed and reduced the noise without causing any social awkwardness.

FAQs: Mastering the Art of the Facebook Unfollow

Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of following and unfollowing on Facebook with these frequently asked questions. Think of this as your definitive guide to navigating the sometimes-turbulent waters of Facebook relationships.

Will the person know if I unfollow them?

No. Facebook does not notify people when you unfollow them. This is a silent action that only affects what you see in your news feed. They will not receive any indication that you’ve stopped following them. This feature is designed to provide you with control over your news feed without causing unnecessary drama or awkwardness.

Can they still see my posts if I unfollow them?

Yes, absolutely. Unfollowing someone only affects what you see. They can still see your posts if you are friends, assuming your privacy settings allow them to. This means they will see your status updates, photos, and other content if they visit your profile or if your posts appear in their news feed based on the Facebook algorithm. They can also tag you in posts, and you will be notified of these tags even if you don’t follow them.

What’s the difference between unfollowing and unfriending?

This is a crucial distinction. Unfollowing someone simply stops their posts from appearing in your news feed. You remain friends, and they can still see your posts (depending on your privacy settings), and you can still interact with their content if you visit their profile.

Unfriending, on the other hand, removes them as a connection on Facebook. They will no longer see your posts (unless they are public), and you will no longer see theirs. It’s a more definitive action that can have social implications. Unfollowing is the gentle approach; unfriending is the nuclear option.

Can I unfollow a Facebook Page or Group?

Yes, you can unfollow both Facebook Pages and Groups. The process is very similar to unfollowing an individual.

• For Pages: Go to the Page and hover over the “Liked” button (or “Following” button if you already liked the page). A dropdown menu will appear with the option to “Unfollow.”
• For Groups: Go to the Group and click on the “Joined” button. A dropdown menu will appear with the option to “Unfollow” (or to adjust your notification settings).

Unfollowing a Page or Group silences their content in your news feed without removing yourself as a follower or member. You can still visit the Page or Group to view its content directly.

How do I manage multiple unfollows easily?

Unfortunately, Facebook doesn’t offer a direct “mass unfollow” tool. However, there are a couple of workaround strategies:

1. Regular News Feed Monitoring: Pay attention to your news feed. As you encounter posts from people you’d prefer not to see, immediately unfollow them. This proactive approach keeps your feed cleaner in the long run.
2. Third-Party Browser Extensions (Use with Caution): Some browser extensions claim to offer mass unfollowing capabilities. However, use these with extreme caution. Facebook’s terms of service often prohibit automated actions, and using such extensions could risk your account being flagged or even suspended. Always research the extension thoroughly before installing it, reading reviews, and verifying its safety and legitimacy.

What does “snooze” mean on Facebook?

As mentioned earlier, the “Snooze for 30 Days” option temporarily hides posts from a person, Page, or Group from your news feed for 30 days. After the 30-day period, their posts will automatically reappear in your feed unless you take further action (like unfollowing them). This is a useful feature when you need a temporary break from someone’s constant updates or a particularly overwhelming news cycle.

If I unfollow someone, can they tell if I visit their profile?

No. Visiting someone’s profile does not alert them that you’ve done so, whether you follow them or not. Facebook does not provide users with a list of people who have viewed their profile. The only exception is if you leave a like or a comment on their post, which they will, of course, see.

Can I hide my own follower list from others?

Yes, you can control the visibility of your follower list. Here’s how:

1. Go to your profile.
2. Click on “Friends.”
3. Click on the pencil icon to manage the privacy settings.
4. Select the desired audience for who can see your following list (e.g., “Only Me,” “Friends,” “Public”).

Choosing “Only Me” will prevent anyone else from seeing who you are following.

What if I accidentally unfollowed someone? How do I re-follow them?

Re-following someone you accidentally unfollowed is easy! Simply go back to their profile and click the “Follow” button. Their posts will then start appearing in your news feed again.

Does unfollowing affect our Messenger interactions?

No. Unfollowing someone on Facebook does not affect your Messenger interactions. You can still send them messages, and they can still send messages to you. The unfollow action is strictly related to what you see in your news feed.

Can I unfollow someone without being their friend?

Yes, you can! If you are not friends with someone, but you are following their public updates (this happens automatically when you interact with a public figure’s page, for example), you can unfollow them to stop seeing their updates. The process is the same as unfollowing a friend: go to their profile and click on the “Following” button, then select “Unfollow.”

Will I still see their comments on mutual friends’ posts if I unfollow them?

Yes, you will likely still see their comments on mutual friends’ posts, even if you’ve unfollowed them. Facebook prioritizes comments based on relevance and engagement. Therefore, if someone you’ve unfollowed is actively engaging in a conversation on a post by a mutual friend, their comments might still appear in your feed. However, their direct posts to their own timeline will be hidden from you.

By mastering these tips and tricks, you can take full control of your Facebook experience and curate a news feed that’s informative, engaging, and free from unnecessary noise. Happy scrolling!