followbait

baiting someone into follow or sub to a certain account just like clickbait. this commonly used in tiktok.

and these motherfuckers have got bio set as "post a video about me, and I'll comment"

scumbag: I can't believe what this guy posted, this is disgusting!
smartass: what did he post?
scumbag: you have to see it by yourself
smartass: but the profile is private.
scumbag: follow it then
smartass: alright, i know what you're trying to do, you're trying to followbait me

by W$en June 19, 2022

Followbait

On social media, the practice of following one or various accounts at random (or with shared themes, topics or interests) with the intent of harvesting a follow back from the target account. If said target returns the follow, the "follow baiter" will withdraw their own in a short amount of time.

Often seen as a scummy tactic to artificially boost an account/profile's follower count, ratio, reach and engagements. This course of action is most commonly seen on the likes of Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

See also: Follower Whore

A: "My new art account isn't picking up... I lost a couple followers today! :("
B: "Must have been some followbaiters"

A: "This dude I don't know just followed me on Instagram. Is he trying to followbait me?"

by Natstotzka September 27, 2023

Followbait

When people put attractive images of themselves as their profile picture on instagram but look nothing like their profile picture when you follow them

"I thought she had a nice butt but it was just followbait"

by SelectiveLearning May 9, 2017