Twitter followers are an essential metric of one's social media presence. But over time, numerous automated accounts and bots on Twitter have popped up, along with some users whose content may not align with yours. Twitter has a lot of inactive users and automated bots on the platform, but ultimately, brands, advertisers, and marketing agencies want real and meaningful human interactions with their content. The negative comments and unwanted followers can do more damage than good to a brand's social media impact.
In this article, we tell you how to remove followers on Twitter and refine your follower base to cultivate a loyal, interactive, and relevant audience.
Why Would You Remove Twitter Followers?
While a follower base is essential, it is also vital to have an authentic audience. Here are some reasons why you should consider removing some of your Twitter followers:
- Inactive Accounts: Removing followers with a dormant Twitter username is crucial as they do not contribute to engagement metrics such as likes, retweets, and comments. Many inactive followers can skew the brand's reach and engagement rates, making cleaning up the follower base necessary. In 2022, Elon Musk, the current owner of Twitter, revealed that there are 1.5 billion inactive Twitter accounts.
- Irrelevant Audience: Effective marketing requires removing Twitter followers who do not fit the brand's target audience. An audience that does not align with the brand's products/services can dilute the impact of marketing campaigns and reduce the potential for meaningful interactions and conversions.
- Spam or Fake Accounts: Removing followers who are identified as spam or fake accounts is essential. They can mimic brand tones and impersonate their presence to fool consumers. After Twitter introduced the verification service, spam accounts targeted several brands and individuals, creating havoc online. These accounts can adversely impact the brand's credibility and hinder the effectiveness of marketing efforts.
- Negative or Offensive Profiles: Followers with distasteful profiles that promote sensitive content on Twitter can reflect poorly on the brand. Remove such followers to maintain a positive brand image and ensure your online community remains inclusive and respectful.
- Divergence From Brand Values: If followers consistently engage in behavior or express views contrary to your brand values, it may be prudent to remove them. This ensures that your online community reflects its core values and principles, creating a more cohesive and aligned audience base.
- Inactive Engagement: Followers who rarely engage with your content (e.g., no likes, retweets, or replies) may be candidates for removal. A high ratio of followers to active engagers could hinder the ability to reach and influence a relevant audience. Focus on quality twitter engagement over quantity of followers.
Three Ways to Deal With Unwanted Twitter Followers
1. Mute Users on Twitter:
Muting is a discreet way to silence bothersome users without alerting them. When you mute people on Twitter, you won't see their tweets or retweets in your timeline, and their replies or mentions will not appear in your notifications.
This method is handy if you don't want to sever ties entirely but wish to avoid their content. To mute someone, go to that person's profile, click the three dots, and select 'Mute' from the menu. Remember, muted users can still see and interact with your tweets, but you won't be notified.
2. Soft Block Users on Twitter:
A "soft block" is an indirect method of removing a follower without the permanence of a block. While it doesn't completely block them from accessing your profile or tweets, it does remove them from your followers list. If users are soft-blocked, they can still find and view your tweets through a direct search and send direct messages.
However, your tweets will no longer automatically appear in their timeline. It means they must actively seek out your profile to see your content. Soft blocking is a strategic way to reduce interaction without completely cutting off access, maintaining a layer of privacy while avoiding the overt action of a hard block.
3. Hard Block Users on Twitter:
For a more definitive approach, a hard block prevents users from viewing your profile, following you, or interacting with your tweets. It is the most effective way to deal with harassment, bullying, or other serious issues.
When you block people, they are also removed from your followers list. How do you block users? Visit their profile, click the three dots, and select "Block" to permanently stop them from revisiting your profile. This method sends a clear message, but it's also more likely to be noticed by the users.
Each method serves a different purpose depending on the level of privacy or separation you wish to maintain from certain followers. Choose the one that best suits your comfort and the specific situation at hand.
How to Remove Followers on Twitter?
How to Remove Twitter Followers on Desktop
- Open the Twitter Website: Log in to your Twitter account from the browser.
- Navigate to Your Followers List: Click on your profile icon to go to your profile. Then, click "Followers" to see the list of people following you.
- Choose the Follower to Remove: Find the follower you wish to remove. Click on their profile to visit their page.
- Remove Follower: Click on the three dots next to their profile, and a menu bar will appear. Click "Remove this follower" to proceed.
- Confirm removal: Twitter will show a dialog box asking you to confirm whether you want to remove the follower. Click "Remove" and get rid of the profile.
How to Remove Twitter Followers on Mobile (Android & iOS)
- Open Twitter App: Access your Twitter account by opening the app on your Android or iOS device.
- Access Your Profile: Tap on your profile icon to go to your profile page.
- Select Follower to Remove: Scroll through your followers list and tap on the profile of the one you want to remove.
- Click Remove: Tap "Remove this follower" and then select "Remove" to confirm your choice.
How to 'Soft Block' Followers on iOS and Android
It involves blocking people and immediately unblocking them so they are forced to unfollow you. Here's how to do it:
- Open the Twitter app and go to your profile.
- Go to your followers and select an account to visit that person's profile.
- Click on the three dots on the profile and block them.
- Confirm the block, and the profile will be blocked.
- Now the option turns to "Unblock," and you can click on it to quickly unblock the user.
After "soft-blocking" users on Twitter, they will not receive any notification of this change. They can still see your tweets and send you direct messages if they search for your profile. However, your tweets will no longer appear in their timeline automatically. They will need to follow you again actively if they notice this change. This gives you more control over how you deal with unwanted followers.
How to Protect Your Posts?
While you remove some followers, chances are they might follow you again in the future. To tackle this, you can protect your posts. You will have to adjust your privacy settings to accept or deny who can follow you manually. Here's how to do it:
Change Privacy Settings on Desktop
- Go to the website and log in to your account.
- On the left-hand side menu, select "More" with three dots.
- Select "Settings and privacy" from the menu.
- On the Settings page, go to "Privacy and safety" and then click on "Audience, media and tagging."
- Check the dialog box next to "Protect your posts."
- On the following confirmation box, select "Protect."
Change Privacy Settings on Mobile
- Open the Twitter app and tap on your profile picture in the top-left corner.
- Select "Settings and privacy" from the Settings & Support menu.
- Go to the "Privacy and safety" option and select "Audience, media, and tagging."
- Select the toggle bar next to "Protect your posts."
- As mentioned, only the people you approve can see your post henceforth, giving you the control of choosing who follows you.
Conclusion
Managing your Twitter followers is an essential aspect of curating a social media experience that is both enjoyable and relevant to you. Whether you choose to mute, soft block, or hard block, each method offers a different level of control over how you interact with your audience and how they interact with your content.
To manage your Twitter account and amplify your growth, check out Highperformr and its array of AI tools. Whether you want to develop Twitter threads or find your top engaging profiles, they have tools that give you detailed insights.
These tools also allow you to pre-set and automate publishing your tweets or threads, saving considerable time and effort spent on manual posting. By understanding and utilizing these tools, you can effectively remove irrelevant or undesirable followers, ensuring your Twitter feed remains a space that reflects your interests and values.
As Twitter continues to evolve, so does how we engage with it. Stay informed about the options for maintaining a positive and responsible online presence.
