Losing Followers on TikTok? Find Out Why!

Followers aren’t everything, but randomly losing your fans can really harm your growth. This can even lead to your TikTok account falling behind other figures in your community.

However, if you’re losing followers on TikTok, there are still steps you can take to fix this. In this article, we show you why you’re losing fans and how to get them back.

A person loading the TikTok app on their smartphone.

How To Check if You’re Losing Followers on TikTok

Are you getting less engagement than usual? There could be many reasons for this. However, it helps to check if you’re losing TikTok followers. If you have 100+ followers, you could look at this via TikTok’s analytics. Here’s how:

  1. Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
  2. Click the three vertical lines. Tap Creator Tools.
  3. Press Analytics, then scroll down to Followers.

Here, you’ll be able to easily see any shifts in your follower count over time. Clicking the specific Followers tab gives you even more information. This gives you a full graph of how the numbers have changed across a certain date range.

If you don’t meet the 100+ follower threshold, you can still check your stats. You can simply look at your account’s public numbers and see if there’s a drop in followers. Third-party TikTok tools are also an option.

A person recording a vertical video of themselves on their phone.

Why Am I Losing Followers on TikTok?

Once you’re sure your followers are going down, the next question is, “Why?” This may not even be because of anything you’re doing. If you’re left wondering, “Why do I keep losing followers on TikTok?” here are some possible reasons:

  • No consistent niche: People follow TikTok pages that fit their specific niche. If you keep jumping between topics, they might not want to see your profile on their feed.
  • Bot accounts: It might simply be that TikTok has gotten rid of your bot followers. Even if you had no idea they were there, this could mean a drop in your numbers.
  • Shadowban: Some accounts see a drop in growth out of nowhere. This is because they have a shadowban that’s stopping their content from reaching their followers. 
  • Repetitive content: You need to consistently post high-quality content to entertain your current followers. If you keep posting the same videos, they won’t stick around.
  • Algorithm changes: TikTok is always refining its algorithm, usually without telling any of its users. This could make it harder for people to discover your latest videos. 
  • Controversial videos: If you upset people with what you post, expect them to unfollow you. Controversial content can give you engagement but little long-term growth.
  • Not fitting trends: Are you struggling to keep up with the hottest trends in your niche? If so, it’s a matter of time until your followers find more up-to-date accounts.

Two people scrolling through TikTok’s recommendations.

How TikTok’s Shadowbans Work

According to RivalIQ, accounts with <50,000 followers grow at a 3% monthly rate on average. If you aren’t seeing this, TikTok might have shadowbanned you. With a shadowban, new people won’t find you. This may be due to you posting vids that violate TikTok’s community guidelines.

Every TikTok account loses followers over time. People unfollow others, delete their page, or just don’t vibe with your posts anymore. However, shadowbans stop you from replacing lost TikTok followers with new ones.

Your current fans also won’t see your posts on their For You page’s Following feed. They might even miss your much-anticipated next video. This could lead to them losing interest in your videos. By the time they see you’ve still been active, they might be ready to unfollow.

A group of four white robots on laptops.

Identifying Fake Followers on TikTok

TikTok pages full of bots could turn new and old followers away. They have no way of knowing if you bought fake followers or were just unlucky. Even if you don’t buy bots, popular content could make them swarm your profile.

If you know you have fake accounts following you, you can deal with them quickly. Blank profiles that never engage with you are instant red flags. If they do leave comments, but they’re generic and spammy, this also points toward them being bots.

You should block and report TikTok bots. However, a good chunk of your followers will simply be silent lurkers. Only block accounts you’re sure about, or you’ll lose some of your real followers.

A person recording and editing a TikTok video of themselves.

How To Recover Lost TikTok Followers

Once you answer the question, “Why did I lose followers on TikTok?” your next step is replacing them. Your specific ex-followers might be gone forever. But you can work to earn new and better followers who fit your niche. Here’s how:

  • Be consistent: Make your stand in a specific TikTok niche. Don’t be a jack of all trades. Keep refining your content to better connect with your target audience.
  • Follow guidelines: If you broke a site rule, even by accident, it might have harmed your page. Keep up with TikTok’s guidelines to avoid future shadowbans.
  • Share great content: Sometimes, it’s just a case of making better videos that you’re proud of. TikTok’s algorithm and users reward creators who make an effort.
  • Learn new trends: Keep up with the posts and trends within your community. Find ways to include them in your videos, and you’ll find a whole new audience.
  • Use TikTok SEO: The TikTok hashtags you use (and even the words you say) can change how TikTok promotes your vid. Make sure you mix broad and specific tags.
  • Post often: A consistent content schedule lets people see that you’re an active voice on the site. This also keeps your posts in TikTok’s algorithm.
  • Connect with others: Engage with the comments on your posts and other people’s. It’s also worth reaching out to users and asking them to collaborate.

Does Buying Followers Help Your TikTok Growth?

There are many online services that allow you to buy TikTok followers. However, many of these make use of bots. This won’t offer genuine growth. People will spot if your engagement doesn’t line up with your stats.

In most cases, these accounts never leave comments. When they do, they’re generic and won’t spark any conversations. TikTok will also delete the accounts in time. You’ll still end up asking, “Why am I losing followers on TikTok?”

Only buy real TikTok followers from a service you trust. Your goal also shouldn’t be to fake your popularity. Buying followers only works by boosting your account so you reach new people.

When you get a bunch of new organic followers, TikTok will promote your content. In a matter of time, you’ll have even more people who truly love your content.

Get Your Online Followers Back With the Help of Goread.io

If you’re losing followers on TikTok, you need to do something about it. Buying real followers lets you rebuild your account and get consistent engagement that lasts long-term.

At Goread.io, we offer TikTok and Insta followers at low prices. We use a fully organic network without any bot profiles. Try our services today, and you’ll get rapid online growth in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did I suddenly lose followers on TikTok?

A “bot purge” can put an instant dent in any popular profile’s follower count. This can happen to anybody. Even if you don’t buy bots, you likely still have them on your account.

Why did TikTok shadowban me?

TikTok hides posts that violate their guidelines from their For You page. This includes any which promotes illegal activities, even as a joke. Make sure your videos aren’t breaking any rules.

Will going viral help me get more followers?

Even just one video becoming viral content could help your follower growth. However, a lot of viewers will just like the post and move on. Consistent, high-quality videos are what get results.

Can I remove my own TikTok followers?

When looking at your followers, find someone you want to remove and click More Actions. Tap Remove This Follower. If you do this, it won’t notify the other person.