By: Mateo Leigh ’28
Vexbolts is a genius for his mass unfollowing plot. The Vexbolts Mass Unfollowing was an event that gained popularity on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024. But the big moment actually happened on New Year’s Eve. Vexbolts, a TikTok creator, skyrocketed to fame by amassing an impressive following of eight million people on the platform in just six days. So, what made this moment so viral? Here’s the full story. The Origin of the Vexbolts Mass Unfollowing
The Vexbolts Mass Unfollowing was a viral TikTok campaign launched in late December 2024. It encouraged users to unfollow the creator on December 31, 2024. The event wasn’t just about hitting the unfollow button; it became an international trend. TikTokers created accounts to help people figure out the exact time to unfollow based on their time zone, ensuring the unfollowing happened as a coordinated “mass event.”
This campaign began with TikToker “unemployedcrashout,” who posted a video promoting the unfollowing. The post quickly gained over 530,000 views, spreading the phrase, “Vexbolts mass unfollowing Dec 31st, spread the word.” The message spread like wildfire, sparking thousands of videos, comments, and memes across TikTok.
The campaign wasn’t random. Many users were frustrated with Vexbolts’ content strategy, accusing him of hopping on trends and creating content that felt inauthentic or “cringeworthy.” This dissatisfaction fueled the movement, as users saw it as an opportunity to challenge the typical social media fame cycle.
Ironically, the unfollowing campaign backfired. Vexbolts’ follower count skyrocketed from 1 million to 8 million in just a few days before settling at around 5 million. Instead of losing relevance, Vexbolts became a viral sensation. People didn’t want to miss out on this internet event, so they followed him to stay updated, proving that even criticism can lead to fame.
Rather than fight the campaign, Vexbolts embraced it. He joined in on the joke with playful TikTok content and real-world stunts, like handing out flyers at a mall to promote the mass unfollowing. His self-deprecating humor and ability to adapt turned potential negative publicity into an opportunity to engage his audience.
The campaign wasn’t just about unfollowing someone—it sparked conversations about internet culture and the unpredictable nature of virality. Social media analysts pointed out how the event revealed the complex relationship between creators and their audiences. It showed that attempts to take down a creator can sometimes amplify their popularity instead.
The Vexbolts Mass Unfollowing is a perfect example of how quickly things can shift online. What started as an attempt to reduce followers turned into a viral success story. It’s a reminder that the internet is unpredictable, and sometimes, what seems like criticism can transform into unexpected popularity.
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