The Benefits Of Mutual Connections On TikTok

Some social media platforms, like YouTube, are primarily sources of entertainment. Others, like LinkedIn, are mostly valued for the interactions between users that they promote.

TikTok provides both functions.

Needless to say, many of the two billion+ TikTok users spend almost all of their time on the app scrolling their feeds to check out the latest TikTok posts and trends. Many others, however, love participating in challenges and Live streams, DM’ing with friends, and building large bases of TikTok fans.

Those new connections can be valuable to users in many ways, whether they’re building a support network, finding new personal relationships, building a brand, or starting business collaborations. About a third of all US adults have TikTok accounts, and that number is closer to 50% among those under the age of 50. It’s a valuable social app for making connections.

Even users who only signed up to watch great TikTok content can’t help but notice that the app also helps them communicate more closely with existing friends and make new ones through their TikTok interactions.

And that’s where “mutuals,” often shortened to just “moots,” come in.

What Does Mutual Connections Mean on TikTok?

The term can be used in two different ways, but one is a phrase used by TikTok itself. We’ll explain by using two examples.

Mutual Followers

Let’s say you have a good friend on TikTok named Jeff. When you find each other on the platform, it’s likely that you’ll follow his account and he’ll become your TikTok follower. Since you follow each other, you’re known as “mutual followers.” Many users simply describe that relationship as being “mutuals.”

Mutual Connections

Now, let’s expand the circle a little. Jeff has another friend, James, who’s on the app as well. The two are mutual followers, but you’ve never met James before. Since you each follow Jeff, though, you and James are known on the platform as “mutual connections,” also commonly called “mutuals.”

Here’s why that matters. TikTok often suggests accounts for you to follow, and many of them are your mutual connections. The TikTok algorithms figure that you and James might like to get to know and follow each other, simply because you have something in common: you’re both friends with Jeff.

You may know of James by reputation and have no interest in knowing or following him, but that’s just an example. One of the best ways to find friends on TikTok is by following mutual connections — and having them follow you.

There are lots of other ways to connect with TikTok users. For instance, you could start chatting with others in a Live stream or a video’s comments, or exchange favorite vids or memes with a content creator who shares your interests.

Connecting with “moots,” though, is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to expand your circle of acquaintances and friends on the app.