Understanding the concept of Follower: An essential guide for social networks

In today's connected world, social networks have taken a prominent place in daily life. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and many others have become essential for sharing and following news, communicating with loved ones and meeting new people. One of the key terms commonly used on these platforms is follower, also called "subscriber" in French. But what exactly is a follower? Why is it important to have followers on your account? How to manage and grow your community of followers?

Follower: simple definition

A follower, or subscriber, is a Internet user who follows a specific account on a social network. So, when a person subscribes to a profile, they become a follower and receive all the publications (photos, videos, articles, etc.) of the followed account in their news feed. Likewise, account owners can see the number of followers they have, which gives them an idea of ​​the reach of their posts.

Why is having followers interesting?

Followers play a crucial role on social media for several reasons:

• Visibility and notoriety: The more followers an account has, the more its posts will be seen by a large number of people. Having a solid base of followers is therefore essential to increase your online presence and improve your notoriety.
• Commitment : Followers are an engagement factor for social media. They interact with the published content (like, share, comment) and can thus contribute to the virality of the publications.
• Authority : a large number of followers can give the impression of authority on a specific topic. This can be especially great for professional accounts or those sharing educational or informational content.
• Networking: followers also make it possible to create networks and relationships between Internet users, thus facilitating contact and communication with individuals with common interests.

How to attract more followers?

To increase the number of your followers on social networks, here are some tips:

Regularly publish attractive and relevant content

Internet users like to follow accounts that provide them with added value, whether in the form of useful information, entertainment or inspiration. So be sure to frequently publish quality content corresponding to your theme and the expectations of your audience.

Use appropriate hashtags and keywords

Hashtags and keywords help improve the visibility of your posts on social media. Identify those that are relevant to your industry or interests and include them in your captions and descriptions.

Interact with other users and respond to comments

Don't underestimate the importance of engaging with your audience and responding to their questions or comments. People generally appreciate attention, which may encourage them to subscribe to your account.

Participate in group chats or online conversations

To attract new followers, do not hesitate to join discussion groups, forums or conversations related to your theme. This will allow you to share your knowledge, learn from other members and create connections with potential subscribers.

Follower vs Following

On some platforms, you may also notice two distinct terms: "followers" and "following." It is important to understand the difference between these two concepts:

• The followers (or subscribers) represent people who follow an account and receive its posts.
• Le Following (or subscriptions) is the number of accounts a user follows themselves. In other words, these are the profiles to which he is subscribed and from which he receives the published content.

These two numbers provide insight into a user's online interactions and social media presence. However, the main goal for many users is to have a high number of followers with a relatively low following, which can give the impression of popularity and credibility.

Should you follow all your followers?

Following your followers back is a personal choice and generally depends on the goal sought on social networks. Here are some arguments for or against this practice:

Why follow all your followers?

• Reciprocity: some users appreciate the courtesy gesture of following their new followers in return.
• Create links : by following your followers, you will have more chances to create relationships and communicate directly with them.
• Diversify your sources of inspiration: You can also discover interesting content through these profiles, which will enrich your social media experience.

The disadvantages of following all your followers

• Information overload: following a large number of accounts can quickly clutter your news feed and make browsing social media less enjoyable.
• Decreased credibility: As mentioned above, some people believe that a low number of followings is a guarantee of popularity and credibility. Following all your subscribers can therefore potentially harm your image.

Ultimately, whether or not you follow your followers will depend primarily on your goals and your personal social media strategy. Systematic monitoring is absolutely not an obligation: always prioritize the quality of the relationships built on these platforms rather than simple quantity.