On Snapchat, followers (some versions of the app call them subscribers) are people who follow your Public Profile. They can see your public Stories and Spotlight videos, but they aren't two-way friends, so they can't chat with you unless you allow it.
Here's the simplest way to think about it. A friend is someone you've added and who has added you back, while a follower is someone who watches you without you doing the same in return. Followers are a one-way audience, a bit like on Instagram or TikTok.
Snapchat has changed the wording and layout of this part of the app a few times, so if a menu name below looks different on your phone, search the app's settings for the word "followers" or "subscribers" and you'll find it.
Friends compared with followers
| Friends | Followers | |
|---|---|---|
| Can send you chats and snaps | Yes | No, unless you allow it in your settings |
| Can see your private story | Yes, if you've shared it with them | No |
| Can see your public Stories and Spotlight | Yes | Yes |
| Shows on your Snap Map | Only if you choose to share your location with them | No |
| Can you remove them | Yes | Yes |
The row people worry about most is the map. Followers don't get your location from simply following you, and you control location sharing for friends yourself. If you ever feel unsure, open the map settings and check who's allowed to see you.
Where followers come from
Followers only appear if you have a Public Profile. If your account is a normal private one, your story goes to your friends and nobody can follow you. Once you switch to a public profile, anyone who finds you can follow you without being added as a friend.
People find public profiles through search, through Spotlight videos, through shared links and through other people's stories. That's why followers are most useful when you want to be found: creators, shops, coaches and anyone who posts to a wider audience.
If you're hoping to build an audience that way, I've put together tips to grow followers on Snapchat that don't rely on tricks or buying numbers.
What followers can and can't do
Followers have a lighter set of options than friends, and knowing the limits helps you decide how to run your account.
- They can watch. Your public Stories and Spotlight videos show up for them, and they can react to or share what you post if you allow it.
- They can't chat by default. A follower can't open a private conversation with you unless you change the settings to allow it. Friends can, which is why the two groups feel so different.
- They don't see everything. Your private stories, your close friends lists and your friends-only snaps stay hidden from them.
- They don't need your approval. On a public profile, anyone can follow you. You can't pre-screen them, but you can remove or block them afterwards.
Some people mix up followers with friends because both appear as numbers on a profile. The difference is that a friend relationship is mutual and personal, while a follower relationship is one-way and public.
How to see your follower count
Your count lives on your public profile. These are the steps as they work now:
- Open Snapchat and tap your profile picture or Bitmoji in the top left.
- Look for your public profile. If you don't have one yet, Snapchat shows a button to create it.
- Scroll down the profile page. You'll see your follower or subscriber count near the top, with any friends count listed separately.
- Tap the number to see the list of people who follow you, if your version of the app lets you.
If you can't find a follower count at all, you probably don't have a public profile yet, or Snapchat hasn't switched it on for your account. In that case the app may only show friends. Don't try to hunt for it with a third-party tool. Those tend to ask for your password, and that's how accounts get stolen.
How to remove or block a follower
You're in charge of who follows you. If someone you don't want is watching your public content, you have two routes, and they do slightly different things.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
- Remove the follower. Open your follower list, tap the person's name, and choose the option to remove them. They stop being able to see your content as a follower, but they can usually follow you again if your profile stays public.
- Block them. This is stronger. A blocked account can't find your profile, follow you again or contact you. I've written a short guide on how to block someone on Snapchat if you want the full steps.
Neither option sends them a message saying you did it. People might notice if they go looking, though, so use whichever one you're comfortable with.
If someone is harassing you, block them and use the report option as well. Don't reply or argue. Reporting gives Snapchat a record, and it takes the problem out of your hands.
Should a business have a public profile?
It depends on what you want from Snapchat. Here's how I'd decide.
- Yes, if you want strangers to find you. A public profile is the only way to get followers, and it lets your stories and videos show up beyond people you know.
- Yes, if your customers are younger. Snapchat is popular with teenagers and young adults, so shops, cafes, tutors and creators aimed at them have a natural audience.
- Maybe not, if you only want to talk to existing customers. A private account with a short friends list is simpler and gives you more control.
- Not yet, if you can't post regularly. A public profile with nothing on it looks abandoned. It's better to start when you can post a few times a week.
If you do go public, keep the content human and short. Behind-the-scenes clips, quick answers to common questions and little glimpses of your day tend to suit the app better than formal adverts.
Followers are also a good test of whether the effort is worthwhile. Post for a few weeks, watch who follows, and see whether any of them become customers. If nothing happens, you've lost very little and you can go back to a private account whenever you like.
One more small thing: the symbols you see on friend profiles, like the planets, belong to friendships rather than followers. If you've been wondering about them, here's what the planets on Snapchat mean.
Frequently asked questions
What does followers mean on Snapchat?
Followers are people who follow your Public Profile. They can see your public Stories and Spotlight videos, but they aren't two-way friends and can't chat with you unless you allow it.
What is the difference between a friend and a follower on Snapchat?
A friend is someone you've both added, so you can chat and share private stories. A follower only watches your public content and doesn't get those friend features.
Can followers see my location on Snapchat?
No. Followers don't get your Snap Map location by following you. You control location sharing for friends in your map settings.
Can I remove a follower on Snapchat?
Yes. Open your follower list, tap the person and choose to remove them. If you want to stop them following again or contacting you, block them instead.
