How This TikToker Started a Mass Unfollowing: Inside The Ultimate Viral Stunt

In an unprecedented social media experiment, TikTok creator VexBolts flipped the script on internet trends, engineering a massive "unfollowing" campaign that ultimately skyrocketed his popularity. With over 7 million new followers gained in just a week, his bold gambit left the internet buzzing about the power of reverse psychology and viral engagement. Here’s how he did it—and how you can apply his strategies to your own social media game.

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Vexbolts, or Vex as his fans affectionately call him, is no stranger to the spotlight. With his quick wit, sharp humor, and knack for creating viral content, he’s built an empire on TikTok, racking up millions of followers. But as 2024 loomed, Vex found himself facing a dilemma that all creators encounter at some point: how to stay relevant in an ever-changing digital landscape. “A couple weeks ago, I was just sitting around thinking, how can I trick the entire internet into making a trend that doesn’t even exist?” Vexbolts explained in a behind-the-scenes video. And just like that, the seed for his master plan was planted.

The Strategy: Leaving VexBolts in 2024

The campaign started with a deceptively simple idea: convince the internet to mass unfollow him. Dubbed the "Leave VexBolts in 2024" movement, it gained traction through coordinated efforts by VexBolts and his collaborators. Using alt accounts, they flooded comments with calls to action, creating the illusion of an organic trend.

The result? Millions of people joined the bandwagon, either genuinely unfollowing him or engaging in the conversation. Even major brands like the NFL, NBA teams, and the MLB jumped on board, amplifying the campaign’s visibility.

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Key Tactics That Made It Work

Leverage of Rage Bait
VexBolts openly embraced "rage bait," a strategy designed to provoke viewers into strong emotional reactions. By calling out his audience directly—"You’re falling for rage bait!"—he ensured that even skeptics couldn’t resist engaging. Rage bait thrives on controversy and drives unparalleled visibility, as anger and curiosity compel users to comment, share, or even make response videos.

Strategic Collaboration
VexBolts enlisted a network of friends, influencers, and even top brands to participate. By getting high-profile accounts to post about the trend, he legitimized it, encouraging others to follow suit. This snowball effect turned a niche joke into a mainstream phenomenon.

Reverse Psychology
The brilliance of the campaign lay in its use of reverse psychology. By urging people to unfollow, VexBolts tapped into the internet’s contrarian nature. Many users followed him simply to see what the fuss was about, while others stayed engaged out of spite or curiosity.

Stunt Marketing
VexBolts orchestrated stunts like staging a "funeral" for his TikTok persona, complete with a coffin and dramatic speeches. These viral moments added entertainment value and kept audiences hooked, driving more engagement and shares.

Viral Brand Involvement
When organizations like the MLB and the Atlanta Hawks posted about the trend, it gained credibility and reached new audiences. This corporate participation turned a niche internet joke into a cultural moment, making it impossible to ignore.

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The Results: Record-Breaking Engagement

The campaign’s success shattered records:

• Most followers lost in an hour.

• Most viewed TikTok live stream ever.

• A collaboration invitation from MrBeast, one of the biggest creators in the world.

VexBolts turned what appeared to be a self-destructive trend into a masterclass in viral marketing. By the end of the campaign, his follower count had surged to over 8.5 million, proving that sometimes, losing can be the ultimate win.

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How You Can Apply These Strategies

Whether you’re a creator, marketer, or brand, here are some takeaways to incorporate into your own campaigns:

Embrace Controversy: Don’t shy away from polarizing content. When done strategically, it can amplify your reach.

Foster Community Involvement: Collaborate with your network to create the illusion of a movement. The more voices in the mix, the more legitimate it feels.

Use Reverse Psychology: Challenge your audience in unexpected ways. Curiosity is a powerful motivator.

Leverage Virality: Create moments that are visually or emotionally compelling. Stunts, humor, or drama can make your content irresistible.

Involve Influencers and Brands: Partner with bigger players to lend credibility and reach new audiences.

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Conclusion: The Power of Perception

VexBolts’ campaign serves as a reminder that in today’s digital age, perception is everything. By flipping the script and playing with internet psychology, he turned a mass unfollowing into the most-followed moment of his career. His journey proves that sometimes, going against the grain is the best way to get ahead.

So, what’s stopping you from creating your own viral moment? As VexBolts would say, "Let him cook."

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