What Does ‘Mutual Connections’ Mean on TikTok?
TikTok has become much more than a platform for dancing videos and viral trends—it’s now a place where people connect, build communities, and make new friends. As the platform continues to evolve, it introduces new social features that sometimes leave users scratching their heads. One of those features is the phrase “mutual connections” that you might have seen pop up on someone’s profile or in your notifications.
So, what does ‘mutual connections’ mean on TikTok? Let’s dive into what this term means, how it affects your TikTok experience, and why it might actually be more important than you think.
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What Does ‘Mutual Connections’ Mean on TikTok?
In the simplest terms, ‘mutual connections’ on TikTok refers to people that both you and another user are connected to. In most cases, this means users that you both follow or users who follow you both. It works similarly to the concept of mutual friends on Facebook or mutual followers on Instagram.
For example, let’s say you’re checking out someone’s profile and it says “3 mutual connections.” That means there are three people that both you and that person follow, or who follow both of you.
This feature can help you understand how closely you’re linked to someone within the TikTok universe, especially if you’re exploring new accounts or deciding whether or not to follow someone back.
Where Can You See Mutual Connections?
TikTok shows mutual connections in a few different places:
1. On User Profiles
When you visit another user’s profile, TikTok may display a line underneath their bio that says something like “3 mutual connections.” This gives you an instant snapshot of how socially close you are to that person within the app.
2. In Your Notifications
If someone follows you and you have mutual connections, TikTok sometimes adds a note in your notification that says “Followed you – 2 mutual connections.” This small detail might make you more likely to follow them back, especially if you trust the people you both follow.
3. In the ‘Suggested Accounts’ Section
TikTok uses mutual connections to help suggest accounts you might want to follow. If someone shares mutual followers with you, TikTok is more likely to recommend their content or profile as a potential new connection.
Why Do Mutual Connections Matter?
Now that you know what ‘mutual connections’ on TikTok are, you might be wondering—so what? Why does this even matter?
Here’s why mutual connections can play a bigger role than you think:
✅ Social Trust
When you see mutual connections with someone, it creates a small layer of social trust. If a person follows or is followed by people you know and trust, you’re more likely to feel comfortable interacting with them or checking out their content.
✅ Better Recommendations
TikTok’s algorithm uses social signals to fine-tune what it shows you. Mutual connections are one of those signals. The more mutual links you share with others, the more likely TikTok is to suggest relevant content and people.
✅ Networking and Community Building
If you’re trying to grow your presence on TikTok, finding users with mutual connections can help you build a tighter community. It’s easier to engage with people who already know people you interact with—it’s kind of like getting introduced at a party instead of walking in cold.
How Accurate Are TikTok’s Mutual Connections?
TikTok doesn’t explain in exact detail how it calculates mutual connections, but from user experiences, here’s what we know:
It doesn’t always mean mutual followers. Sometimes, it’s enough for you both to follow the same person or for the same person to follow both of you.
The number shown may change over time depending on who follows or unfollows whom.
TikTok seems to prioritize recent activity, so mutuals based on recent follows may be more visible than older, inactive ones.
This means that what counts as a “mutual connection” can be a bit fluid. But generally speaking, it’s a decent indicator of shared social circles on the platform.
Can You Hide Your Mutual Connections on TikTok?
At the moment, TikTok doesn’t allow users to manually hide mutual connections. If you and another user share a connection, it will usually be visible by default. However, you can make your account private or adjust your follower and following visibility in your settings to have more control over what others can see.
To tweak your privacy settings:
Go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top right corner.
Tap Settings and Privacy.
Tap Privacy.
Under Following list, choose Only Me if you don’t want others to see who you follow.
While this won’t remove the “mutual connections” tag entirely, it can reduce how much of your social graph is publicly visible.
Tips for Using Mutual Connections to Your Advantage
Whether you’re a casual TikToker or someone trying to grow your personal brand, here are a few ways to make the most out of TikTok’s mutual connections feature:
🌱 Build Credibility
If you’re trying to connect with new creators or followers, having shared mutuals can boost your credibility. It’s social proof that you’re part of a larger, active community.
🔎 Find Relevant People
Use mutual connections to discover new creators in your niche. If you follow someone and you notice they have mutual connections with you, chances are you’ll be interested in their content too.
🤝 Network Authentically
Instead of cold messaging random users, consider reaching out to people you share mutual connections with. It creates a warmer, more natural opportunity to engage.
So, to wrap it all up—what does ‘mutual connections’ mean on TikTok? It’s TikTok’s way of helping you see who you’re socially linked to, based on your existing network of follows and followers. Whether you’re building your audience, finding new content, or simply browsing the app, mutual connections add a layer of social context that makes the TikTok experience feel more personal and connected.
Next time you see that little “mutual connections” tag, take a second to check it out—you might find someone you know or discover a new creator you’ll love.
