An inability to initiate follows with profiles designated as public on a prominent social media platform is a problematic situation. This difficulty can manifest as an error message, a blocked action, or simply an unresponsive follow button when attempting to connect with an account. For example, a user may attempt to follow a celebrity, a brand, or a friend, only to find that the follow request fails consistently, despite the targeted account being publicly visible.
This issue disrupts the intended user experience of the platform. It can hinder networking, prevent access to desired content, and limit the user’s ability to engage with the broader community. Historically, limitations on following accounts were often associated with spam prevention measures or account restrictions imposed for violating platform policies. However, when applied to ordinary public accounts, such restrictions present a significant usability barrier.
