Twitter is known for being a social media platform with the capability of expressing and sharing thoughts and standpoints with the world. When you have a private account on Twitter, you can accept or reject follow requests. Previously, the only way you could restrict someone from following you or reading your tweets is by blocking them.

However, recently Twitter came up with the new feature of ‘Remove this follower’. This feature enables the users to avoid the extreme form of blocking the followers. This article will help you get a wholesome idea about this new feature and the ways of using the same. 

What does Remove this follower mean on Twitter?

Removing a user on Twitter is basically a way of avoiding them from seeing your tweets or getting your updates. Twitter recently started testing a series of new privacy tools, one of which was the ‘Remove this follower’ option. Having announced it last month as part of testing, Twitter is now rolling out the ‘Remove this follower’ option for everyone as a soft block alternative. At the moment, the feature is available for anyone using Twitter on the web, allowing users to remove unwanted followers from their accounts instead of blocking them.

Previously this could be done by blocking the concerned user first and then unblocking them. But now, with this new feature, the process becomes much simpler. Removing a user is much preferable to blocking them since you do not have to sever all ties with them on the platform. At the same time, you will be able to minimize interactions with them since they won’t be able to view or retweet your tweets directly from their feed. If you choose to remove someone from your followers’ list, they won’t receive any notification from Twitter. 

Some other new features with this update include a new social privacy tool on the app. It enables the users to archive old tweets so they will disappear for other users after the desired period (it can be from 30 days up to a year).

Another feature comes in the form of ticketed audio rooms, which is a way of monetization for the influencers on the app. The subscription-based ‘Super follow‘ feature has also recently been rolled out to users in the US. 

What happens when you Remove this follower on Twitter?

When you choose the option of ‘Remove this follower’ on Twitter, the person is removed permanently from your followers’ list. This can lead to reduced interactions with this person on the platform since the user won’t see your tweets directly on their feed. Instead, they’ll only have access to your tweets if:

  • They intentionally check your Twitter profile, and
  • You have a public account on Twitter.

If your account is set to private, the removed person won’t be able to view or read your Tweets entirely. The likes and retweets exchanged with you won’t be deleted if you choose to remove them.

In either case, the user won’t be notified when you choose to remove them. Some followers can, however, notice if they stop receiving updates from your account or seeing your tweets. They will learn that you removed them from your followers’ list when they find the ‘Follow’ option next to your username on Twitter. 

How to Remove a follower on Twitter without blocking

Using the ‘Remove this follower’ feature on Twitter, you can remove a Twitter user from your Followers list without needing to block them at all. Here’s how.

Open Twitter and click on Profile on your left. 

Click on the ‘<number of> Followers’ link under your account info. 

Tap on the ‘3-dot’ icon next to the follower you wish to remove.

Click on ‘Remove this follower’.

In the next pop-up, Twitter will confirm your decision. Click on ‘Remove’. 

The concerned user should no longer show up as your follower on Twitter. You will also be notified about the same once you remove them. 

What is a soft block on Twitter?

A soft block on most platforms refers to limiting actions for certain users without blocking them entirely from the platform. A soft block is used as a warning and a way to moderate unallowed actions of users without completely removing them from the platform. This gives the user a way to correct their actions and restore the functionality of their account.

As blocking on social media is often considered an extreme measure, Twitter came out with its version of soft block, the new ‘Remove this follower’ option.

But before that, you could soft block a user only by using a workaround: by blocking them first from your profile and then immediately unblocking them. This way, they don’t see ‘You’re blocked’ if they check your profile, but they won’t receive posts from you either as they are no longer a follower. The downside of this being that you lose track of all your interactions including likes, retweets, comments, messages, and more. With the new feature ‘Remove this follower’, you can easily achieve this, and officially too.

Is ‘Remove this follower’ a paid feature?

No, the new ‘Remove this follower’ feature on Twitter is not a paid option. It is similar to other features such as blocking, following, retweeting, and more. Twitter has officially rolled out the feature to everyone on the platform. Only a few selected users currently have access to this new feature. 

When will ‘Remove this follower’ become available?

The ‘Remove this follower’ feature is already available on Twitter’s web app, meaning you can use it directly when you log in to Twitter.com through your computer. Twitter users on iOS and Android will have to wait further as there is no news on when and whether the company would roll out the ‘Remove this follower’ option for their mobile apps. 

Why don’t I have the ‘Remove this follower’ option?

After weeks of testing, Twitter has rolled out the new ‘Remove this follower’ feature for everyone who’s using Twitter on the web. In case you still aren’t able to access this feature, here’s why:

  • The option is relatively new and may not have reached your account yet. 
  • You are using Twitter on your iPhone or Android, for which, the option hasn’t been announced yet.  

Will the removed user be able to see your tweets?

This depends on your privacy settings. If you have a public profile, then they too will be able to see your tweets just like a non-follower. They’ll still need t search for your profile on Twitter and then access your tweets, instead of viewing them on their Twitter timeline.  

If you have a private profile, the removed person can only see the selective details you have made public on your private profile. The rest of your profile, including tweets, comments, likes and more will be hidden from them. 

Can they follow you back?

Yes, they can indeed follow you back. The purpose of this feature is to avoid blocking a user and cutting off your ties entirely. If they intend, they can indeed follow you back. In case you have a private account, you will be able to approve or reject the new request at your discretion. This, however, would change as you change your privacy settings unless you decide to block the concerned user.  

When to use the ‘Remove this follower’ feature?

While the new feature is designed to offer you more options when moderating your followers, it is a good way to take a break from someone. As this is a privacy option, its use is completely based on your custom needs, however, here are a few common scenarios where you may find this feature quite useful. 

  • When you want to remove a user from your followers’ list
  • When you are unwilling to view their tweets on your timeline 
  • When you want them to stop seeing your tweets on their timeline 
  • When you want to stop them from liking your tweets or retweeting them

‘Remove this follower’ vs Block on Twitter

There is a major difference between blocking someone on Twitter and using the ‘Remove this follower’ feature. When you block a user, you completely detach from them. They will be removed from your followers’ list and will no longer be able to view your account or your tweets or any past interactions with you on the platform for that matter.

They will no longer be able to refollow you until and unless you choose to unblock them. The messages shared between the two of you will be erased immediately and previous likes and retweets will disappear for both of you. However, other users might still be able to access them. 

When you choose ‘Remove this follower’, it will essentially soft block a user. The user will be removed from your followers’ list, they will no longer be able to find your tweets on their timeline unless you have a public profile and they decide to refollow you.

They won’t be notified, but they will notice a ‘Follow’ option next to your name when they look you up. Your message history, likes, or retweets won’t be erased. They will be able to refollow you at their discretion. 

We hope this post helped shed some much-needed light on the ‘Remove this follower’ feature on Twitter. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out using the comments below. 

Related: