followingalso

Followingalso is a neologism used in online discussions about social media etiquette to describe a pattern in which an account follows another with the expectation that the follow will be reciprocated. The term is used to refer to mutual-follow dynamics or courtesy follows that aim to establish connections regardless of immediate content engagement.

It is a portmanteau of following and also; its exact origin is not well documented, and usage varies across platforms. It appears sporadically in discussions on forums and social networks in the 2010s and 2020s, with no formal definition recognized by major style guides.

In practice, followingalso is used to signal intent to engage in reciprocal following, often within communities that emphasize growth or networking. Some users describe it as a polite or strategic gesture to grow a network; others view it as performative or low-effort engagement that may not reflect genuine interest in content.

Platform policies about follow-for-follow practices vary; concerns include spam, bot-like behavior, and the quality of engagement. Critics argue that mutual following can dilute signal quality, while proponents see it as a low-friction way to build initial contact.

See also: follow-for-follow, mutuals, social media etiquette, online networking.