SharePoint 2019: Missing Follow Feature? Here's Why & How To Follow

Hey SharePoint enthusiasts! Ever found yourself scratching your head, wondering where the follow feature disappeared to in your SharePoint 2019 modern site collections? You're not alone! It's a common head-scratcher, and we're here to break it down for you. Let's dive into why you might not be seeing that familiar follow button and what you can do about it.

The Case of the Missing Follow Button

So, you've navigated to your shiny new SharePoint 2019 modern site, ready to stay connected and in the loop, but alas, the follow button is nowhere to be found. What gives? Well, the key thing to understand is that the follow feature behaves a little differently in modern SharePoint compared to the classic experience. In the classic SharePoint, the follow feature was prominently displayed, allowing users to easily track updates and changes to sites. This was a core part of the social experience within SharePoint, enabling users to stay connected to the content and people they cared about. However, with the introduction of modern SharePoint, Microsoft shifted the focus towards a more streamlined and contextual user experience. This means that some features, like the traditional follow button, have been either replaced or moved to different locations. The goal was to make the interface cleaner and more intuitive, but it can sometimes lead to confusion when users are looking for familiar functionalities.

In modern SharePoint, the emphasis is on using features like Microsoft Teams and SharePoint home sites to stay informed. These tools provide more robust and integrated ways to track activity and engage with content. For example, Microsoft Teams allows for real-time collaboration and notifications, while SharePoint home sites offer a personalized view of news and activities across your organization. This shift is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to integrate its various services and provide a unified experience for users. While the traditional follow button might be missing, the underlying functionality of staying connected and informed is still very much present, just in a different form. So, don't worry, you're not missing out – you just need to know where to look and how to leverage the new tools available in modern SharePoint.

Understanding Modern SharePoint's Approach to Following

Let's dig a bit deeper into how modern SharePoint handles the concept of "following." In the classic SharePoint world, the follow button was your go-to for subscribing to site updates. You'd click it, and voila, you'd receive notifications about changes, new content, and other activity on the site. It was simple, straightforward, and a familiar way to stay connected. Modern SharePoint, however, takes a slightly different approach. Instead of relying solely on a follow button, it leverages a combination of features and tools to keep you in the loop. This shift is designed to provide a more integrated and contextual experience, where information finds you rather than you having to actively seek it out.

One of the primary ways modern SharePoint handles following is through the SharePoint start page and the organization news feature. The SharePoint start page is your personalized hub for all things SharePoint. It displays the sites you frequently visit, suggested sites based on your activity, and, most importantly, news from across your organization. This means that you're automatically "following" sites in a way, as their news and updates will surface on your start page. The organization news feature allows site owners to publish news articles that are then displayed on the SharePoint start page and in the SharePoint mobile app. This ensures that important announcements and updates reach a wide audience without users having to manually follow each site. Another key component of modern SharePoint's approach is the integration with Microsoft Teams. Teams provides a central hub for communication and collaboration, and it seamlessly integrates with SharePoint. You can connect a SharePoint site to a Teams channel, and all updates and activities within the site will be visible in the channel. This means that if you're actively using Teams, you're essentially "following" the associated SharePoint sites without even realizing it. This integration streamlines workflows and ensures that you stay informed about the projects and teams you're involved in.

Where to Find Your Notifications

Okay, so the follow button might be MIA, but that doesn't mean you're cut off from updates. Modern SharePoint offers several ways to stay in the know. Knowing where to look for your notifications is key to making the most of the modern SharePoint experience. One of the first places you should check is the SharePoint start page. As we mentioned earlier, this is your personalized hub for all things SharePoint. It displays news from sites you frequently visit, as well as organization-wide announcements. Think of it as your central information dashboard. The SharePoint start page uses intelligent algorithms to surface the content that is most relevant to you, so you're more likely to see updates from sites and projects that you're actively involved in. In addition to the SharePoint start page, Microsoft Teams is another crucial place to monitor for notifications. If a SharePoint site is connected to a Teams channel, any updates or activities within the site will be visible in the channel's activity feed. This includes things like new files, page updates, and discussions. Using Teams as your central communication hub ensures that you don't miss important notifications from your SharePoint sites. You can also configure Teams to send you desktop or mobile notifications for specific activities, so you're alerted in real-time when something important happens. Another way to stay informed is through the SharePoint mobile app. The app provides a similar experience to the SharePoint start page, but on your mobile device. This means you can access news, updates, and notifications from anywhere. The mobile app also supports push notifications, so you can receive alerts even when you're not actively using the app. This is particularly useful for staying on top of urgent updates or time-sensitive information.

Workarounds and Alternatives

Missing the classic follow button? Don't fret! There are some neat workarounds and alternatives to keep you in the loop. While the traditional follow button may not be present in modern SharePoint, there are several ways to achieve the same outcome – staying informed about the sites and content that matter to you. One of the simplest workarounds is to add the site to your favorites in your browser. This allows you to quickly access the site with a single click, making it easy to check for updates. While it's not a direct replacement for the follow button, it's a convenient way to keep frequently visited sites within easy reach. Another alternative is to create a bookmark folder specifically for your SharePoint sites. This is particularly useful if you're tracking multiple sites and want to keep them organized. You can create subfolders for different projects or teams, making it easier to find the sites you need. While this method requires some manual organization, it can be an effective way to manage your SharePoint bookmarks. For a more proactive approach, consider setting up alerts for specific libraries or lists within a SharePoint site. This allows you to receive email notifications whenever content is added, modified, or deleted. You can customize the alerts to suit your needs, specifying the types of changes you want to be notified about and the frequency of the notifications. This is a great way to stay on top of changes without having to constantly check the site. If you're using Microsoft Teams, you can leverage the SharePoint integration to stay informed about site activity. By connecting a SharePoint site to a Teams channel, you can receive notifications about updates and discussions directly within Teams. This ensures that you don't miss important information, especially if you're actively collaborating with a team on a particular site. You can also use the Teams activity feed to monitor changes across multiple SharePoint sites, providing a centralized view of all relevant activity. In addition to these workarounds, it's worth exploring the modern SharePoint features designed to keep you informed. The SharePoint start page, as we discussed earlier, surfaces news and updates from across your organization. The organization news feature allows site owners to publish news articles that are then displayed on the start page and in the SharePoint mobile app. By leveraging these features, you can stay informed about important announcements and updates without having to manually follow each site.

Tips and Tricks for Staying Connected

To make the most of modern SharePoint, here are some handy tips and tricks for staying connected and informed, even without that follow button. First off, get cozy with the SharePoint start page. It's your personalized hub, remember? Make it a habit to check it regularly. The more you use it, the better it gets at surfacing the content that's most relevant to you. Think of it as your personal SharePoint newsfeed, tailored to your interests and activities. Customize your SharePoint start page by pinning the sites you visit most frequently. This ensures that they're always at the top of your list, making it easy to access them quickly. You can also reorder the sites to suit your workflow, putting the most important ones front and center. This simple customization can save you time and effort in the long run. Next up, embrace the power of Microsoft Teams. Seriously, the integration between Teams and SharePoint is a game-changer. Connect your SharePoint sites to Teams channels to streamline communication and collaboration. This allows you to receive notifications about site activity directly within Teams, ensuring that you don't miss important updates. Plus, you can easily share files and documents from SharePoint within Teams, making it a seamless experience. Set up channel notifications in Teams to stay informed about specific activities within your SharePoint sites. You can customize the notifications to suit your needs, choosing to receive alerts for new messages, mentions, or other relevant events. This ensures that you're always in the loop, without being overwhelmed by unnecessary notifications. Another tip is to leverage the SharePoint mobile app. It's a fantastic way to stay connected on the go. The app provides access to your SharePoint sites, news, and notifications, allowing you to stay informed no matter where you are. Enable push notifications in the app to receive real-time alerts for important updates. This is particularly useful for staying on top of urgent matters or time-sensitive information. Finally, don't underestimate the power of alerts. Set up alerts for specific libraries or lists within your SharePoint sites to receive email notifications whenever content is added, modified, or deleted. This is a proactive way to stay informed about changes without having to constantly check the site. You can customize the alerts to suit your needs, specifying the types of changes you want to be notified about and the frequency of the notifications.

Conclusion: Embracing the Modern SharePoint Way

So, the follow button might be missing in action, but modern SharePoint offers a plethora of ways to stay connected and informed. It's all about understanding the new landscape and leveraging the tools at your disposal. The modern SharePoint experience is designed to be more integrated and contextual, with features like the SharePoint start page, Microsoft Teams integration, and mobile app providing seamless ways to stay in the loop. By embracing these tools and adopting a proactive approach to staying informed, you can make the most of modern SharePoint and ensure that you never miss an important update. While the transition from classic to modern SharePoint may require some adjustments, the benefits are well worth the effort. The modern interface is cleaner, more intuitive, and more efficient, allowing you to focus on your work without being bogged down by outdated features or clunky interfaces. The integration with Microsoft Teams streamlines communication and collaboration, making it easier to work with your team and stay on the same page. And the SharePoint start page provides a personalized hub for all your SharePoint activity, ensuring that you're always in the know. So, don't let the missing follow button discourage you. Instead, explore the new features and tools that modern SharePoint has to offer. Experiment with the SharePoint start page, connect your sites to Teams channels, and set up alerts for important libraries and lists. By taking these steps, you can create a personalized and efficient SharePoint experience that keeps you connected and informed. Remember, modern SharePoint is all about working smarter, not harder. By embracing the new ways of staying connected, you can unlock the full potential of SharePoint and achieve your goals more effectively. And if you ever find yourself missing the classic follow button, just remember that there's a whole world of modern features waiting to be explored!