Why Would ANYONE Unfollow ME?

We all have our own reasons for why we choose to unfollow (or block) certain individuals on Twitter. It might be because we see them as a spammer, find them abusive or rude, or have had problems with them on another network.

We all have the right to unfollow or block whomever we choose. Most of the time, our reasons are valid. To us. They might seem completely inappropriate to somebody else. A spammer to one person is an ‘internet marketer’ to another. What’s rude and aggressive to me is opinionated and challenging to you. Some people actually follow retweet bots. (I know.)

That guy you find hilarious? Your friend thinks he’s an ass.

So why would somebody cut you off? Why would they block you? Because you’re not right for them. Because something you said or did bothered them to the point where they wanted to ensure that you wouldn’t have the opportunity to do it again. Whatever this was might seem entirely innocent – to you – but to them it crossed the same line that makes you click on the block button. These reasons can be entirely different, even total opposites, but the tolerance point, and the outcome, is the same.

So, you’ve been unfollowed – now what? Here’s the thing: in most cases, it doesn’t matter. Move on. Was the relationship important to you? Does the unfollow come a genuine surprise? If so, then simply ask them. I’ve had several instances where I’ve been (allegedly) unfollowed by error. If you’re regularly engaging with somebody and they decide to end that relationship, either there’s been a mistake or something has gone horribly wrong. It’s worth finding out which it is.

Blocks are more severe, but unless everybody is blocking you – and if this is happening then you know exactly why – then being rejected is simply par for the course in social media (as it is in life). No matter how great you are, some people won’t like you. Some people won’t like you because you’re great. And some people will go to extreme measures to remove you from their world. It can seem irrational and mad, but that’s a very relative perspective. You’ll go crazy trying to see it from your point of view, because the only one that’s relevant is theirs. And vice versa.

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