Facebook can be a wonderful way to stay connected, but sometimes, you need to manage your feed. Maybe a friend's constant political posts are getting overwhelming, or perhaps you've simply outgrown a connection. Whatever the reason, knowing how to unfollow someone on Facebook without them knowing is a valuable skill. This guide provides expert-approved techniques to discreetly manage your newsfeed.
Understanding the Difference: Unfollowing vs. Unfriending
Before diving into the how-to, it's crucial to understand the difference between unfollowing and unfriending. These actions have distinctly different results:
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Unfollowing: This hides a friend's posts from your newsfeed. They remain your friend, and you can still see their profile and posts if you visit their page directly. Crucially, they won't receive a notification that you've unfollowed them. This is the primary focus of this guide.
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Unfriending: This completely removes the person from your friend list. They are no longer connected to you on Facebook, and you will no longer see their posts. They will be notified that you've removed them as a friend.
How to Unfollow Someone on Facebook: Step-by-Step Guide
This process is incredibly straightforward, regardless of whether you're using the Facebook mobile app or the desktop website. Here's how:
Using the Facebook Website:
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Locate the Friend's Profile: Go to the profile of the person you want to unfollow.
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Find the "Following" Button: Look just below their cover photo. You'll see a button that says "Following." This button will change to "Follow" if you unfollow them.
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Click "Following": Clicking this button will change it to "Follow," effectively unfollowing the person. That's it! You've successfully unfollowed them without them ever knowing.
Using the Facebook Mobile App:
The process is virtually identical on the mobile app:
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Open the Friend's Profile: Navigate to the profile you want to unfollow within the Facebook app.
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Locate the "Following" Button: This button is usually located beneath the cover photo or in a similar prominent spot.
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Tap "Following": Tapping this will change it to "Follow", successfully unfollowing them.
Tips for Managing Your Facebook Feed
Unfollowing is just one tool in your Facebook management arsenal. Here are some additional expert tips:
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Use the Snooze Feature: Facebook offers a "snooze" feature that temporarily hides posts from a specific person or page for a chosen period. This is a great alternative if you only want to temporarily reduce their presence in your feed.
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Customize Your News Feed Preferences: You can adjust your news feed preferences to prioritize certain friends or pages. This allows you to see more content from those you want to engage with actively.
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Regularly Review Your Friends List: Periodically assess your connections. Unfriending or unfollowing inactive accounts or those that no longer add value to your Facebook experience can significantly improve your feed.
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Utilize Facebook's Hidden Contacts Feature: This may not allow you to unfollow, but this is a step better than unfriending a person entirely. It helps maintain your Facebook connection, yet protects you from constantly seeing their updates.
Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Facebook Experience
Unfollowing on Facebook is a simple yet powerful tool for managing your newsfeed and ensuring a more positive online experience. By understanding the difference between unfollowing and unfriending, and by following the steps outlined above, you can take control of your Facebook feed and curate content that truly resonates with you. Remember to use these techniques responsibly and thoughtfully.
