Why Are Users Missing from My Search or Lists?
When you search for other users, view a user’s profile, or look at your own follower lists, the results are always processed through a mutual visibility filter. This system ensures that only profiles who are willing and able to interact with you are displayed.
A user may be missing from a list or search if:
- They Blocked You: The user’s specific block settings prevent your profile from seeing theirs.
- You Blocked Them: Your own custom block settings prevent you from seeing their profile.
- They Are Inactive/Deactivated: The profile is deleted, banned, or temporarily suspended.
Why Doesn’t the List Count Match the Total Number?
You might notice a difference between the total number of followers/following displayed on a profile and the actual number of users in the list when you open it. This difference occurs because the count and the list serve two different purposes:
- The Count (Total Approved): This number represents the profile owner’s static, total approved network size. It does not change based on who is viewing the profile.
- The List (Filtered View): The list you see is dynamically filtered before it is displayed to you. It excludes any profiles hidden by mutual privacy settings and blocks.
The difference in the number is simply the count of users who are currently in the network but are hidden from your view due to a block you initiated or a block they initiated.
How Our Filtering Works
Our system uses a comprehensive Access Check that evaluates both your profile and the target user’s profile against the following criteria:
| Visibility Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Direct Blocking | If you explicitly block a user, or they explicitly block you, visibility is immediately lost. |
| Singles Blocking | If a user has chosen to block single profiles of a certain gender, or if you have blocked them based on their single status. |
| Unlinked Partner Blocking | If a user is in a relationship but has not linked to another profile, and either you or they have chosen to block unlinked profiles. |
This process is designed to give you full control over who sees you and who you see within the app.