The Friends tab and Following feed, decoded
The Friends tab focuses on people you follow who follow you back and other accounts TikTok thinks you know, while the Following feed shows recent posts from every account you follow. Both are calmer than For You because they are built around your own connections rather than recommendations.
Two feeds built on your choices
Most of TikTok is driven by recommendations from strangers. The Friends tab and the Following feed are the exceptions, because they start from accounts you chose to follow.
The difference is how close the connection is. Following includes celebrities, brands and any creator you followed once; Friends leans towards mutual follows and people you may know in real life.
What usually shows up in Friends
Friends tends to show posts from mutual follows, and sometimes contacts or suggested people TikTok believes you know, depending on your settings. It can also include activity like Stories or reposts from those friends.
Where the tab sits, and what it is called, has changed in different app versions and regions. If you cannot find it, check the bottom bar and the top of your home screen.
Why your Following feed may feel messy
If you followed hundreds of accounts years ago, your Following feed may be full of creators you no longer care about. The feed only knows who you follow, not who you still enjoy.
Spend ten minutes unfollowing accounts that no longer interest you. The feed becomes much more useful, and you will actually see posts from people you like.
Controlling who finds you as a friend
TikTok may suggest your account to people through contacts or mutual connections. You can usually turn off syncing contacts and suggested account options in privacy settings.
If you want your Friends tab to stay small and personal, keep your account private and only approve people you know. Check current settings because the names of these options change.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Friends tab the same as Following?
No. Following shows everyone you follow, while Friends focuses on mutual follows and people TikTok thinks you know.
Why do strangers appear in my Friends tab?
TikTok may include suggested accounts based on contacts or mutual connections. Turning off contact syncing and suggestions in privacy settings can reduce this.