SharePoint Document Issues

How to Hide "Not Following" in SharePoint Navigation

Maira Mehtab Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to remove the "Not following" status indicator or button from their SharePoint site navigation bar.

How to Hide the "Not Following" Option in SharePoint Site Navigation

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing a SharePoint site navigation interface to clean up the layout or restrict site-following capabilities.
Observed behavior: The "Not following" (or "Following") option is visible by default on the site navigation bar, and the site administrator wishes to hide it.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary site administrator permissions to access and modify SharePoint site settings. Keep in mind that disabling this feature will prevent all users from following or unfollowing the site.

Solution 1Recommended

Deactivate the "Following Content" Site Feature

This is the built-in Microsoft SharePoint method to remove the "Following" and "Not following" options from your site navigation.

Disabling the 'Following Content' feature globally removes the follow/unfollow buttons from the site interface. This means users will no longer be able to track site updates via their personalized following feed on the SharePoint start page.

Open Site Settings

Navigate to your SharePoint Online site and click on the 'Settings' gear icon located in the top right corner of the screen.

Access Site Information

Select 'Site information' from the dropdown menu, then click on the 'View all site settings' link at the bottom of the panel.

Manage Site Features

Under the 'Site Actions' category on the Site Settings page, click on 'Manage site features'.

Deactivate Following Content

Scroll down the list to find the 'Following Content' feature. Click the 'Deactivate' button next to it and confirm your choice to remove the navigation buttons.

Deactivate the "Following Content" Site Feature

Custom Scripting Limitations: If you want to hide the button visually without disabling the underlying follow functionality for users, you will need to use custom development tools like SharePoint Framework (SPFx). Out-of-the-box settings only allow you to completely turn the feature on or off.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide the "Not following" button for specific users only?

No, standard out-of-the-box SharePoint settings do not allow hiding this button for specific users or groups. Deactivating the "Following Content" feature applies to the entire site and affects all visitors globally.

Will deactivating this feature remove the site from users' existing "Following" lists?

Yes, if the feature is turned off at the site level, the site will cease to integrate with the following feed. Users will no longer see updates or news from this site in their personalized SharePoint start page.

How do I restore the "Following" option if I change my mind?

You can easily restore the feature by navigating back to Settings > Site information > View all site settings > Manage site features, and clicking the "Activate" button next to the "Following Content" feature.

Is it possible to visually hide the button without disabling the feature entirely?

Yes, but it requires custom development. You would need to use the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) to deploy an application customizer or inject custom CSS, which is recommended only for experienced SharePoint developers.

Document & File Issues