followerfollowing

Followerfollowing refers to the relationship on digital social networks where one user (the follower) subscribes to updates from another user (the followed or the person being followed). It is a directed edge in a network: A follows B, but B may or may not follow A.

Most platforms display two counts for a user: the number of followers (people who follow the user) and the number of accounts the user follows (following). The ratio of followers to following is often used as a rough indicator of reach or popularity, though it can be misleading due to activity levels and automation.

Impact on visibility and interaction: On many platforms, content exposure and recommendations are influenced by follower metrics and engagement, which may reward larger audiences and consistent posting. The follower/following lists also help algorithms suggest connections and curate feeds. Privacy settings can limit who can follow or see content; some accounts are private to require approval to follow.

Mutual versus asymmetric relationships: Mutual followers (users who follow each other) are common, but many relationships are asymmetric. Unfollowing, blocking, and account deactivation affect follower counts. The presence of fake or purchased followers is a concern for researchers and platforms, affecting perceived influence and network metrics.

Data and analysis: Researchers and developers often collect follower and following data to study social networks, influence, and information diffusion. APIs from platforms typically provide counts and lists with varying access depending on privacy and terms of service.