What’s the difference between unfriend and unfollow?

Answered by Robert Flynn

Unfriending and unfollowing are two actions that can be taken on social media platforms like Facebook to manage your connections and the content you see. While they both involve reducing your interaction with someone, there are some key differences between the two.

Unfriending someone on Facebook means removing them from your friends list. When you unfriend someone, you disappear from their friends list as well. They won’t receive a notification that you have unfriended them, but they may notice your absence from their friends list if they happen to look for you. Unfriending is a more permanent action and can be seen as a stronger form of disconnection compared to unfollowing.

On the other hand, unfollowing someone on Facebook means that you will still remain friends, but you will no longer see their posts in your news feed. This can be useful if you don’t want to completely sever your connection with someone but want to reduce the amount of content you see from them. Unfollowing allows you to customize your news feed and prioritize the content that is most relevant to you.

Unfollowing someone is a more subtle action, as they will not be aware that you are no longer seeing their posts unless they actively check your profile or notice your absence from their engagement metrics (likes, comments, etc.). It’s a way to maintain a connection without being bombarded with content that you’re not interested in.

Both unfriending and unfollowing can be useful in different situations. Unfriending is typically used when you no longer want any connection with someone or if the person’s posts and activity are causing you discomfort or distress. It’s a more definitive way to remove someone from your social circle.

Unfollowing, on the other hand, is a more flexible option. You may choose to unfollow someone temporarily, for example, if they are posting excessively or sharing content that doesn’t interest you. It allows you to take a break from their updates without completely cutting them off.

It’s important to note that unfollowing or unfriending someone doesn’t prevent them from interacting with your content or messaging you. If you want to completely cut off contact with someone, you may consider blocking them. Blocking someone on Facebook means that they won’t be able to see your profile, posts, or send you messages. It’s a more extreme measure and should be used sparingly in situations where you want to completely sever ties with someone.

Unfriending someone on Facebook removes them from your friends list, while unfollowing allows you to remain friends but stop seeing their posts in your news feed. Unfollowing is a more subtle way to manage your content without completely disconnecting from someone. Blocking, on the other hand, cuts off all contact with the person. Choose the option that best suits your needs and the level of connection you want to maintain.