If someone has set their following list to private on TikTok, you won’t be able to see who they are following by simply visiting their profile. However, there are a few tricks you can use to uncover a hidden following list on TikTok.
View the Following List from the User’s Posts
One easy way to see at least some of the accounts a private TikTok user is following is to check the comments on their posts. When you open one of their videos, scroll down to view all comments. Oftentimes the accounts they follow will comment on their posts. You can click each commenter’s profile to confirm if the private account follows them back.
This doesn’t give you their full following list, but it can help you identify at least some of the accounts they follow. You’ll generally see more accounts they follow by sorting comments by “Most Relevant.” The people closest to that user will tend to have their comments ranked higher.
Use Follower Tracking Apps or Websites
There are various TikTok analytics and tracking tools you can use to uncover a hidden following list. Apps like SocialTracker and FollowersAnalysis let you input a TikTok username to view detailed analytics. The paid versions of these tools will show you the full following list of any private account.
These apps work by tracking cross-analytics between users over time. So they don’t give you instant access to a private following list, but can compile the list by identifying shared followers, comments, and other connections.
Guess the Hidden Followers by Looking at Their Likes
Similarly to comments, you can identify some of the accounts a private profile follows by looking at posts they’ve liked. TikTok shows a small sample of likes on each video. Open several videos in a row and take note when the same accounts appear repeatedly in the likes. This signals the user likely follows them.
You can also tap on the total likes count below each video to open a list of accounts that liked it. Quickly scan through looking for familiar or frequently appearing usernames. Again, this takes some time but can help uncover pieces of the hidden following list.
Use Their Hashtag and Sound Preferences
Pay attention to the hashtags, sounds, and songs used in the private account’s own videos. These are likely to closely align with the accounts they follow. So search some of the unique hashtags and sounds they commonly use to discover videos and creators with similar interests.
For example, if the private account often posts anime cosplay videos with certain niche hashtags, exploring those tags could lead you to accounts they follow for anime content. Identifying several related hashtags and sounds can help map out their interests and followers.
Look for Shared Followers and Followings
If you follow any of the same accounts as the private user, you can uncover pieces of their following list through shared connections. Pull up the follower list of accounts you know you both follow. If the private profile also follows them back, they’ll be listed in the “Follows You Back” section at the top.
You can also cross-reference your own following list. If you see accounts you’re following that follow the private profile back, they likely also follow those same accounts.
Of course, this method only works if you have existing follower overlap. But can help reveal a few mutual followings in some cases.
Analyze Their Profile and Posts
Spend time carefully looking through the private account’s own profile and posts. The content they create and share gives clues about their interests and the types of accounts they engage with. For example, if their bio mentions Korean pop music and their posts use Korean hashtags, you can assume they likely follow other Kpop fan accounts.
Pay attention to any defining features of the account that point to specific interests, locations, occupations, demographics, etc. Then search TikTok and follower lists for accounts that match up with those attributes. If there’s an overlap, it’s likely the private profile follows them.
Look for Recommended Follows on Their Posts
TikTok’s algorithm will sometimes recommend accounts to follow on a user’s posts, based on their engagements and interests. You may see a “Recommended Accounts” section appear on the private profile’s videos.
These suggestions are tailored specifically for that user, so there’s a good chance some of the recommended follows are accounts they actually follow. You can tap “See All” to view the full list of recommended follows for clues to their preferences.
Connect Through Mutual Friends
If you have friends, followers, or contacts that also follow the private account, you can try asking them for info or connections to uncover the hidden following list. Get them to share some of the accounts the private profile follows.
Alternatively, have them follow some of your dummy accounts and see if the private account ever follows them back. Just make sure to get permission first before using mutual connections for intel.
Send a Follow Request from a Fake Account
You can try sending a follow request to the private profile from a dummy account you create. Make the fake account seem like someone they would likely follow back – with shared interests, content, etc. If they accept your request, you’ll then have access to view their following list.
Just don’t falsely engage with the private account or violate TikTok’s rules. And only follow accounts you have permission to access.
Hire a Social Media Audit Company
Agencies exist that offer specialized TikTok audits and analytics services. They employ data analysts and engineers who develop proprietary tracking tools to uncover hidden social media data.
The most sophisticated auditors can produce detailed reports on private accounts, including full following lists. Just be prepared to pay a premium since it requires extensive technical capabilities.
Befriend the User in Real Life
If you know the person behind the private account, or share real-life connections through school, work, etc. you may be able to get them to share their following list voluntarily. Respect their privacy, but nothing stops you from striking up a conversation!
Appeal to mutual interests and their ego to convince them to open up. Offer to follow their favorite accounts too. But avoid manipulation or deception in getting access.
Wait for Them to Make the List Public
Rather than resorting to questionable tricks, you can simply wait and see if the user ever makes their following list public again. TikTokers often switch between private and public settings.
Politely ask the user if they’d consider opening their following list. If it’s a celebrity, they may unlock it once they hit a certain follower count. Respect their privacy wishes, but check back now and then.
