How to Unfollow Someone on Facebook Without Unfriending

Unfollowing is the most underrated button on Facebook. It lets you clear the noise out of your feed without ending a single friendship, and nobody gets a notification. I use it all the time for people I like in real life but whose posts I don't need to see every day, and it's the first thing I suggest to small-business owners who say Facebook has become a distraction.

Unfollow someone on Facebook from the app

The steps below match what Facebook's help pages describe. Menus vary by app version, so the button might show a slightly different label on your phone.

1. Open the Facebook app and go to the person's profile.
2. Tap the Friends button if you're friends, or the Following button if you only follow them.
3. Tap Unfollow.

There's an even quicker way from your feed. Tap the three dots at the top right of one of their posts and choose Unfollow followed by their name. Their posts stop showing straight away.

Unfollow a Facebook profile on a computer

1. Go to facebook.com and open the person's profile.
2. Click Friends or Following near the top of the profile.
3. Click Unfollow.

The three dots on any of their posts in your feed work on a computer too.

What unfollowing changes, and what stays the same on Facebook

• Their posts stop appearing in your feed.
• You stay friends. They're still on your friends list and you're still on theirs.
• They aren't notified, and nothing on your profile shows it.
• They can still see your posts, comment on them and message you.
• You can still visit their profile whenever you like to catch up.

That last point is why I like unfollowing for relatives and old friends. You haven't cut anyone off, you've just stopped their updates landing in front of you every time you open the app.

Unfollow, snooze or unfriend on Facebook: picking the gentlest fix

Option	How long it lasts	Still friends?	Do they see your posts?
Unfollow	Until you follow again	Yes	They do, as before
Snooze	A set period, then posts come back	Yes	They do, as before
Unfriend	Until one of you sends a new request	No	Only public ones

If you only need a short break, perhaps during an election or a family drama, snoozing is better because it ends by itself. Here's how to snooze someone on Facebook. If you want the friendship over, my guide on unfriending someone on Facebook explains what they'll notice.

Unfollowing Facebook Pages and groups as well as people

The same idea works for Pages and groups. On a Page, tap Following and choose Unfollow. You can still visit the Page whenever you like, but its posts won't fill your feed.

Groups are slightly different, because unfollowing a group keeps you as a member. You'll stop seeing its posts in your feed but you can still drop in, read and post. I've written a separate walkthrough on unfollowing a Facebook group without leaving it, which is useful if you're in lots of groups for work.

Good reasons to unfollow rather than unfriend on Facebook

People often feel they have to choose between putting up with someone's posts and cutting them off. Unfollowing sits neatly in between. It's the right choice when:

• You like the person but not their posting habits, such as constant political posts, quizzes or selling.
• They're family, and an unfriending would cause more trouble than it's worth.
• You work with them and want to keep the connection for messages and introductions.
• You've drifted apart but don't want to make a statement about it.
• You're trying to spend less time on Facebook and want a calmer feed when you do open it.

Because nobody's told and nothing visible changes, you can be as ruthless as you like. I'd rather people unfollowed freely than scrolled through posts that leave them annoyed or anxious.

Using unfollow to make Facebook work for your business

If you use Facebook for business, your feed is part of your research. You want to see customers, peers and the Pages you learn from, not endless memes. A quick unfollow session every few months makes a real difference. I'd suggest:

• Unfollow anyone whose posts you scroll straight past.
• Follow the business Pages and people who teach you something or whose customers overlap with yours.
• Keep friends you care about followed, so you don't miss their news.

When you can't unfollow someone on Facebook

• If you don't see Unfollow, check whether you're already not following them. The button would then say Follow.
• On some profiles, the option sits behind the three dots rather than the Friends button.
• Update the app if the menu looks very different from the steps above.
• If their posts keep appearing after you unfollow, check whether they're coming through a group or a Page you still follow.

Following someone again after unfollowing on Facebook

Go back to their profile and tap Follow. Their posts will start appearing in your feed again. Nothing changes for them either way, so you can switch back and forth as often as you like.

Frequently asked questions

Does Facebook tell someone when you unfollow them?

No. Facebook doesn't send a notification and nothing on your profile shows it.

If I unfollow someone, are we still friends?

Yes. Unfollowing only hides their posts from your feed. The friendship stays.

Can someone I've unfollowed still see my posts?

Yes. They see your posts as normal, can comment and can message you.

What's the difference between unfollow and snooze on Facebook?

Unfollow lasts until you follow again. Snooze hides their posts for a set period and then ends by itself.

Will they see that I've unfollowed them if they check my profile?

No. Nothing on your profile or theirs shows that you've unfollowed them.

Can I unfollow a Facebook group without leaving it?

Yes. Unfollowing a group stops its posts appearing in your feed but keeps you as a member.