Why Are People Blocking Celebrities?
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People are blocking celebrities for several reasons, often as a protest or to make a statement. One reason is to show dissatisfaction with how certain celebrities respond (or fail to respond) to social and political issues.
For example, as reported by Al Jazeera, social media users are blocking celebrities who have remained silent on significant issues like the conflict in Gaza. This form of digital activism aims to reduce the online visibility and influence of those celebrities to hold them accountable.
Another reason for blocking celebrities is to remove their content from one’s feeds. This might be due to personal preferences, such as not agreeing with their opinions, disliking their content, or simply not wanting to be exposed to certain posts.
The “Blockout” or “Blockparty” movement, as covered by media like The Miami Herald, indicates that some users are blocking celebrities on platforms like TikTok as part of a larger movement to cancel or boycott celebrities and influencers who they feel are problematic or do not align with their values. This collective action is seen as a way to pressure public figures to be more socially responsible or express collective discontent.
Does Blocking Celebrities Do Anything?
Blocking celebrities on social media platforms can have several effects, depending on the context and scale of the blocking.
For example, the “Blockparty” or “Blockout” movement on TikTok involved users blocking celebrities, media organizations, and other groups simultaneously. The rationale behind these movements is to make a statement or protest against public figures’ actions or inactions. For example, celebrities who remained silent on political issues, such as the conflict in Gaza, have been blocked collectively.
On an individual level, blocking a celebrity means you will not see any content they produce, which is a personal decision when curating your online experience. However, it can also impact a celebrity’s reach and engagement on the platform when it happens on a large scale.
This is because many celebrities and influencers rely on user engagement for their posts’ visibility and, in some cases, their income. If a significant number of users block a celebrity, it could decrease the visibility of their posts and, thus, their influence.
In the case of the “Blockout” movement, the idea is that as more people block a celebrity, their posts become less visible across the platform, even to users who have not blocked the celebrities. This could decrease the celebrity’s social media metrics, prompting them to notice if the movement is large enough, as described by Al Jazeera.
How Do You Block Celebrities On TikTok?
To block celebrities or any user on TikTok, you can follow these steps:
- Open the TikTok app and click the celebrity profile you want to block.
- Tap the three dots in the top right corner of their profile.
- From the menu that appears, select the ‘Block’ option.
Once you have blocked a user, they cannot view your profile, posts, or message you.
Are Celebrities Losing Followers?
Yes, some celebrities have lost followers on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
For example, the “Blockout 2024” movement, which gained traction after the 2024 Met Gala, led to users blocking high-profile celebrities in response to perceived issues or controversies. This has resulted in some celebrities losing many followers, potentially affecting their online influence and presence.
For example:
- Kim Kardashian lost followers amid a campaign encouraging people to block celebrities. One day, she lost 123,000 followers and continued to see a decline, as reported by Yahoo News.
- Taylor Swift also saw a drop in her Instagram follower count, losing 26,000 followers on May 9 and 103,000 on May 11, as mentioned in the same Yahoo News article.
- Selena Gomez lost 17,000 followers around the same time during the 2024 “celebrity blockout” trend of celebrities losing followers.
These losses can also occur for other reasons, including social media campaigns, public controversies, or changes in the platform’s algorithm or policies that remove inactive or fake accounts.
For example, in 2014, there was an “Instapurge” when Instagram cracked down on bots and removed millions of celebrities’ fake followers. Kim Kardashian lost about 1.3 million followers that year due to counterfeit bots.
What Celebrities Should I Block?
The decision to block a celebrity is a personal one. It can depend on several factors, including your interests, values, and the content you prefer to see on your social media feeds.
Some people choose to block celebrities because they disagree with their opinions, actions, or the content they post. Others participate in social movements that block certain celebrities from making a statement or protest.
Ultimately, if you feel that a celebrity’s content does not align with your preferences or if following them negatively impacts your social media experience, you may choose to block them. It’s important to curate your social media environment in a way that is healthy and enjoyable for you.
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