The year 2024 began with unexpected developments on TikTok, as the Vexbolts Mass Unfollowing trend captivated millions worldwide. Set to peak on December 31, the event is both humorous and ironic, urging users to unfollow TikTok influencer Vexbolts to signify dissatisfaction with his content. Initially launched as nothing more than a prank, the campaign has rapidly evolved, leading to significant fluctuations in Vexbolts' follower count.
Vexbolts, known for his whimsical videos and viral Fortnite memes, has seen his follower base surge impressively from 1.5 million to over 8 million amid calls for mass unfollowing. This surge has come against the backdrop of TikTok’s vibrant culture of trolling, where humor often results in paradoxical outcomes. The trend began on Christmas Day when TikToker unemployedcrashout recorded a video advocating for the unfollowing event. His call to action, "Vexbolts mass unfollowing Dec 31st, spread the word," struck the right chord, gathering over 530,000 views within the first day.
Despite its ironically negative premise, the trend has propelled Vexbolts’ visibility across the platform. Many TikTok users initially joined his account not out of loyalty, but participation—a common theme within TikTok's viral moments. The trend gained traction through promotional videos built around Vexbolts’ own comedic audio, transforming what was meant to be a joke at his expense.
Industry giants also took notice. YouTube star MrBeast lent his support to this quirky trend, marketing it through his viral video where he humorously stated, "I’m passing the phone to the guy we’re leaving in 2024." This format has become immensely popular, as it encourages users to tag others to engage with the content, thereby reinforcing Vexbolts' brand even as he faces the unfollowing event.
Interestingly, the mass unfollow campaign benefited Vexbolts rather than diminishing his influence. Critics within the TikTok community voiced their disdain for the growing trend of influencers engaging with memes too eagerly, branding it as cringeworthy. Yet, the same voices couldn’t ignore the irony of their actions, as the campaign has only fueled his rise. Vexbolts himself capitalized on the humor, turning frustrations from critics on their heads. He was seen promoting the unfollowing trend, playfully pleading to fellow streamer Kai Cenat to help him combat this campaign.
Vexbolts articulated his sentiments on social media, sharing, "If everyone leaves me in 2024 who’s gonna carry on my $lethimcook legacy? Who can I trust???" This lighthearted approach embodied his attitude throughout the campaign, depicting his willingness to embrace the chaos. On December 29, he took his antics to the next level by distributing flyers at his local mall, humorously advocating for people to unfollow him.
The community's mixed reactions reflect the unpredictable nature of online trends. Whether celebrated or criticized, many influencers, including FaZe Rug and IShowSpeed, voiced support for Vexbolts. Others, including StableRonaldo and JasonTheWeen, reiterated calls to abstain from the trend, asserting the potential harm it could have on Vexbolts’ career.
Yet, as December 31 approaches, it remains to be seen whether the mass unfollow campaign will yield any real effects or simply serve to cement Vexbolts’ status as one of TikTok’s most talked-about figures. The hype surrounding the trend exemplifies how humor and collective digital participation can dramatically impact the growth of online personas.
This trend also sheds light on the broader dynamics of social media marketing and influencer culture. Rather than fading away, TikTok influencers often rise higher amid criticism, highlighting how paradoxes fuel their platforms. Amid this whirlwind of engagement, the real takeaway is this: whether through humor or irony, mass online activations have the power to generate notoriety and lasting fame.