Why I've unfollowed you...

So, I've unfollowed you on Twitter and you're left wondering why.  Well, it basically boils down to the following.

You:

• tweet stuff of little interest to me
• tweet too much stuff of little interest to me

To expand on this, I don't like to follow people who...

• are 'fanboys', haters or trolls (unless they're funny)
• tweet a shitload of PR guff or press releases (especially when it's a crappy campaign or product)
• retweet 'RT this & win some shit' tweets
• retweet tweets that are retweeted by millions of others
• auto tweet where they are, what they're the mayor of and/or what they're listening to or reading
• auto tweet horoscopes or some other bollocks
• auto tweet both their blog and Facebook updates (especially when they duplicate)
• have a largely automated account
• try to sell me shit
• try to con followers into joining some 'get rich quick' scheme
• attempt to use me for their own nefarious purposes (such as asking I RT them or their client)
• have odious views (I like politically incorrect, I abhor bigots)
• come across as too needy and/or have an unhealthy interest in yours truly
• RT tweets that mention them purely because they mention *them* (especially on a Friday)
• RT/arse kiss those who are more 'influential' than themselves
• are arsey about my posts that have nothing to do with them (unfollow if you don't like what I say)
• rant too much (even if I agree with most or all of such rants)

Sometimes I choose to follow, on a trial basis, folk who've retweeted and/or have started following me.  This is on the basis that we probably have something in common.  Sometimes, however, it becomes clear we do not.  Such is life.

I also unfollow people who I feel are only following me, along with thousands of others, to get their follower count up.  I don't want to be part of such games.

I make exceptions for some of what's listed above, but not all.  I also unfollow folk who've not tweeted in while and am willing to re-follow people who've changed, IMO, for the better.

I'm not perfect, my tweets don't ooze sheer awesomeness and I do tweet a lot, so understand that people will also want to unfollow me.  I won't question your motives if you do, as it's not my place to do so.

Anyhoo, I hope that's cleared some things up - but I understand you may still have some questions...

Q) Why not just keep following people regardless, so as not to hurt anyone's feelings?

A) I like interacting with people, I like keeping up with people who do interest me. That's difficult to do if you're following thousands.

Q) Why not just use a Twitter app that filters out them and/or some of their tweets?

A) I feel that's disingenuous.  If I follow you, I follow you.

Q) I've not broken any of your 'rules' and yet you've still unfollowed me.

A) 1) That's not a question. 2) You probably have but don't know it. 3) You're a company account and I'm no longer interested in your product or service.

Q) You've just wasted 10 minutes of my life.

A) 1) Again, that's not a question. 2) You chose to read this.

Comments

[Becky Sefton]

I'm going to have to try harder to be unfollowed ;-) I really enjoyed reading this - maybe I need a clean out. xB

[Ant]

You're the first person, Miss Sefton, to comment on my brand spanking new web-log. For that reason alone I can't unfollow you.

[LesleyAlmost]

I like this post. You are like me, I follow people that I think may be interesting. They sometimes follow me back, sometimes not. Occasionally I have a clearout but I am happy to talk to people if they talk to me:))

I have followed you but do not expect a follow back, promise:)

[Ant]

Thanks Lesley. I've learnt not to do reciprocal follow-backs until I've had a cursory glance at that follower's tweets, blog and their bank details. You checked out. :D

[Sharisca]

Hm, at first, i was like... not amused.. now I think this is just funny..

[carocat]

10 mins?

Good post, agree 100%.

[Ant]

Sharisca, I believe you're puzzled as to why you made my 'naughty list'. You tweet about making money automatically using Twitter, RT yourself and link to highly dubious multi-level marketing 'get rich quick' scams (I call them scams as it's highly unlikely anyone will make money from them other than the brains behind them).

Carocat, yeah, what can I say... I'm a sloooow reader! :o)

[Mewtopia]

Was it that much a problem that you needed to make a blogpost and link it in your bio? You twitter heartbreaker.

[Ant]

Mewtopia, yup! Seriously, things got ugly when I stopped following some people. And a little guilt-trippy with others. From being pestered to RT shit "PLS!!!" (usually by DM - which is utterly annoying) to seeing the cool, interesting people drowned out with all the 'I think I'm going to have a coffee' and 'RT this with a chance to win' tweets. It never let up.