I. Introduction
Facebook has become an integral part, if not the most influential tool, of people’s lives to stay connected to the world. However, sometimes we do not want certain people’s posts or content to appear on our timeline, but that doesn’t mean we want to get rid of them as friends on the platform. The solution to this is simple, ‘unfollow’. In this article, we’ll be discussing how to unfollow someone on Facebook, step-by-step, with pros and cons, and offer tips for easier use.
II. Step-by-Step Guide
Unfollowing someone on Facebook is incredibly easy and can be done in just a few simple steps.
- First, go to the Facebook profile you want to unfollow.
- Next, hover your mouse over the ‘Following’ button (on desktop) or tap and hold the ‘Following’ button (on mobile).
- Now, select the ‘Unfollow’ option from the dropdown menu.
And that’s it! You have now successfully unfollowed the selected person on Facebook. They will no longer appear in your newsfeed, but you can still see their profile or any public posts they make.
To follow them back again, you just have to go to their profile, click on ‘Follow,’ and you will begin to see their updates on your Facebook feed once again.
To ensure your unfollow action, Facebook will show you a brief message saying ‘You’ve stopped following [name of the person] on this feed,’ which helps you keep track of who you follow or not.
If you prefer visual aids to help you follow along with the steps, here’s an image to show you what it should look like:
III. Video Tutorial
If you’re more of a visual learner, we’ve also put together a short video tutorial that walks you through the unfollowing process step-by-step.
This video tutorial is a helpful resource that you can watch at your convenience and will help you follow along with the instructions more easily. If you’re not familiar with video tutorials, they’re a great way to learn new skills and to follow along visually with an expert, which can make the learning process much easier.
IV. Comparison with Other Social Media Platforms
Unfollowing someone is a feature that is now being adopted by many other social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Still, their process for unfollowing someone often varies from Facebook, with each having its own unique features and benefits.
For one, Twitter and Instagram call the feature ‘mute,’ which hides the tweets or stories of the person you are not interested in, but does not let them find out that they are being muted. Facebook’s unfollow feature is much more transparent, letting the person know that you have chosen to unfollow them. LinkedIn offers an ‘unfollow’ option that operates in a similar fashion to Facebook and is much more transparent than that of Twitter and Instagram.
Despite the differences, the main takeaway is that opting to unfollow someone is an important feature that social media platforms are adopting as a means to help users customize their online experience.
V. Benefits of Unfollowing
Unfollowing someone on Facebook has multiple benefits. Firstly, it can help to declutter your newsfeed and only show you the things you are actually interested in. Secondly, you can choose not to see posts that could trigger negative emotions, such as reminders of past relationships, or grudges from passed misunderstandings. Thirdly, it lets you stay connected to the person as a friend on Facebook, without necessarily having to view all their updates.
The reduction of negative emotional reactions through curating the content fed to us from the platform can go a long way in improving our digital wellbeing and reducing the overall mental health impact of social media.
VI. Tell a Story
Unfollowing someone does not necessarily mean there is any ill will or malicious intent, yet it is worth pointing out the dynamics of maintaining digital etiquette in a world that is continuously evolving. Let me share a personal experience to wrap this up:
Last year, I had a friend whose Facebook posts became increasingly depressing and negative. My news feed was filled with rants, complaints, and venting that made me feel frustrated and bad each time it popped up, even though it was not related to me directly. I decided to unfollow her to distance myself from the unseen negativity and help me focus on more productive and positive interactions in my social media network circle. It may not sound like a big deal, but it changed my digital social life for the better.
VII. FAQs
Q: Can I still see the posts of someone after I unfollow them on Facebook?
A: Yes, you can still view their public posts or visit their profile, but they will not show up in your newsfeed.
Q: Will the person know if I unfollow them?
A: Yes, the person will not be notified, but your name will disappear from the list of followers on their Facebook profile.
Q: Can I follow them back again after I have unfollowed them?
A: Yes, you can follow them back by visiting their profile and tapping the ‘Follow’ button.
VIII. Conclusion
Unfollowing someone on Facebook is a simple process that offers many benefits, such as decluttering your newsfeed, reducing negative emotions, and improving your social media experience. With these easy steps and tips, you can unfollow anyone with ease and customize your Facebook experience. So go ahead, give it a try, and take control of your Facebook account today.
Remember to share this article with anyone who may find it helpful, especially those who are new to Facebook or who are unfamiliar with its unfollow feature.