It is nice to have a following. It is important to make sure you have the right followers.

You have the option to remove followers from your account if you want to keep certain users from seeing your Tweets.

It was previously called "soft blocking", as you had to block and unblock a follower to remove them.

You can adjust privacy settings to approve new followers manually, and here is how to get it done.

When you remove a follower, they won't be notified. Depending on your settings, they may still be able to see your direct message. They will have to re- follow you if they want to see you on their timeline.

How to remove Twitter followers on desktop 

1. Go to your account.

2. You can click on the Profile in the left sidebar.

A screenshot highlighting the profile icon on the Twitter Desktop.
Click Profile in the left sidebar.
Devon Delfino/Insider

3. You can choose your follower count.

A screenshot highlighting follower count on Twitter
Click on your follower count to see a list of followers.
Devon Delfino/Insider

4. Click the three dots to the right of the follower's name to locate them.

A screenshot highlighting the "Remove this Follower" menu on Twitter
Tap the three dots next to a follower's name to show the remove option.
Devon Delfino/Insider

5. Click the one you want to remove.

How to remove Twitter followers on mobile 

Unfortunately, you cannot remove followers from the mobile app. You can do it via the mobile version of the site.

1. You can launch a web browser by going to the website.

2. Go to your account.

3. The profile icon is located in the top- left corner of the screen.

A screenshot highlighting the profile icon on a Twitter account.
Tap your profile icon.
Devon Delfino/Insider

4. You can choose your follower count.

A screenshot highlighting the expanded Profile menu on a Twitter account.
Tap your follower count.
Devon Delfino/Insider

5. You can find the follower by looking at the three dots next to their name.

A screenshot of a follower list on Twitter.
Tap the three dots next to a followers name to see the removal option.
Devon Delfino/Insider

6. You can remove this follower by tapping it and then selecting Remove to confirm your choice.

If you follow the steps listed above, you can also block followers, but you have to choose to remove them.

How to adjust privacy settings to manually approve follow requests

You need to change your privacy settings if you want to approve or deny follows in the future.

On desktop:

1. Select More and then Privacy when you open the account.

A screenshot highlighting the Settings and Privacy section on the desktop version of Twitter.
Select Settings and Privacy.
Devon Delfino/Insider

2. Privacy and safety should be chosen.

A screenshot highlighting the Privacy and Safety section on the desktop version of Twitter.
Choose Privacy and Safety.
Devon Delfino/Insider

3. Tagging can be done by selecting Audience and Tagging.

A screenshot highlighting the Audience and Tagging section of a Twitter account.
Go into the Audience and Tagging section.
Devon Delfino/Insider

4. The Protect your Tweets box should be ticked.

A screenshot highlighting the Protect your Tweets option on a Twitter account.
Tick the box labeled Protect your Tweets.
Devon Delfino/Insider

On mobile:

1. The profile icon is in the top- left corner of the screen.

2. Click on the left sidebar to select settings and privacy.

A screenshot highlighting the Settings and Privacy option in the Twitter mobile app.
Select Settings and Privacy.
Devon Delfino/Insider

3. Privacy and safety are important.

A screenshot highlighting the Privacy and Safety option in the Twitter mobile app.
Choose Privacy and Safety.
Devon Delfino/Insider

4. Choose audience andagging.

A screenshot highlighting the Audience and Tagging option in the Twitter mobile app.
Tap Audience and Tagging.
Devon Delfino/Insider

5. The Protect your Tweets option can be turned on.

A screenshot highlighting the Protect your Tweets option in the Twitter mobile app.
Toggle on Protect your Tweets.
Devon Delfino/Insider