follow back

Meaning

To 'follow back' means to subscribe to someone's social media account after they have subscribed to yours. It is a common courtesy and networking practice across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X.

Examples

• I noticed a famous artist followed me, so I immediately followed them back.

  I noticed a famous artist followed me, so I immediately followed them back.

• Do you think she will follow me back if I like her photos?

  Do you think she will follow me back if I like her photos?

• He only follows back people he knows in real life.

  He only follows back people he knows in real life.

• Many influencers use automated tools to follow back their fans.

  Many influencers use automated tools to follow back their fans.

• I will follow you back as soon as I log into my account.

  I will follow you back as soon as I log into my account.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I followed back him yesterday.

  ✓ I followed him back yesterday.

  When using a pronoun with 'follow back', the pronoun must go between 'follow' and 'back' (e.g., follow him back, follow them back).

• ✗ She followed to me back.

  ✓ She followed me back.

  'Follow' is a transitive verb and does not require the preposition 'to'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If I follow your new art account, will you ___?

  💡 follow me in return

  Show answer

  follow back

• She doesn't usually ___ strangers on Instagram.

  💡 return the subscription

  Show answer

  follow back