The design of Facebook is such that the platform is heavily reliant on users becoming friends and establishing well-connected online communities.
Whether users meet through real-life interactions, online exchanges, or through mutual friends, much of the platform and its interactions are between friends – with users needing to send a friend request which must be accepted by the other party before the two are connected.
Depending on the level of privacy attached to your profile, Facebook friendship is make or break when it comes to finding out about another user. Those with very private profiles will see their personal information, posts, photos, and updates all hidden from those who aren’t their friend – making friendship an integral part of open communication.
With that in mind then, what does it mean to ‘follow’ someone on Facebook – and which user has the most followers on the platform?
What Happens When You ‘follow’ Someone on Facebook?
Following someone on Facebook means that you see a large majority of their content and posts – excluding those posts and updates that they reserve exclusively for their friends.
It is a way of keeping up to date with someone without becoming their friend.
For well-known personalities, celebrities, influencers, and creators, offering a ‘Follow’ option allows their fans to connect with them on Facebook, while still reserving a layer of privacy for friends only.
The User With the Most Followers
The user with the most followers on Facebook is footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
In 2024 it has been reported that he has around 170 million followers on his Facebook profile, where he posts photos and updates from training, from games all over the world, and using some of the products that he sponsors.
After Ronaldo, those with the most followers on Facebook include:
- Shakira
- Lionel Messi
- Will Smith
- Vin Diesel
- Rihanna
- Eminem
… the list goes on.
Are these the names you expected to see at the top of a ranking of Facebook users with high follower counts?
