Follow vs. Track
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 26, 2023
Follow implies going or coming after; Track means to pursue so as to observe or monitor.
Key Differences
The term follow can also imply support or allegiance, such as following a leader or ideology. It suggests a degree of acceptance and alignment with thoughts, actions, or principles. Conversely, track in the context of information gathering, implies a level of scrutiny and examination, often aimed at understanding patterns, behaviors, or movements.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
In social media context, to follow means to subscribe to the updates or posts of another user. It’s a way of receiving information or staying informed about someone’s activities or thoughts. Track, in a similar digital context, may refer to monitoring or observing the online activities, behaviors, or communications of an individual or entity, usually involving technology and software.
Samantha Walker
Sep 26, 2023
Follow can also relate to adhering to, or abiding by, rules or instructions. In this context, to follow is to comply or act according to what has been set or instructed. Track, in this context, may refer to the meticulous observation and recording of events or behaviors, providing a detailed account of occurrences.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Follow typically implies the act of going or coming after someone or something in a spatial or temporal sequence. It’s often related to movement or progression, either physically or conceptually. Track, on the other hand, usually involves the monitoring or observing of the progress or movements of an individual or object, often involving attention to detail and focus.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Follow may also signify understanding or grasping a concept or instruction, as in following a conversation or argument. It implies an element of comprehension and acknowledgment. In contrast, track, when referred to understanding progress or development, implies a continuous and focused observation to ascertain the status or condition of something.
Harlon Moss
Sep 26, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Context
Often used in spatial, temporal, or conceptual sense.
Commonly related to scrutiny and examination of patterns, behaviors, or movements.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Engagement Level
Can be passive or active.
Usually requires active engagement and focus.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Connotation
Can suggest support or allegiance.
May imply a detailed and meticulous observation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Follow and Track Definitions
Track
To pursue so as to observe or monitor.
Track the progress of the project closely.
Janet White
Sep 26, 2023
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Follow
To support or have allegiance to.
Many follow the teachings of their leaders.
Samantha Walker
Sep 26, 2023
Track
To scrutinize or examine patterns and behaviors.
Scientists track the movements of the stars.
Janet White
Sep 26, 2023
Track
To trace or search for something.
The detective could track the suspect’s whereabouts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Follow
To go after in pursuit
Would follow his enemy to the ends of the earth.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
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Track
A path, route, or course indicated by such marks
An old wagon track through the mountains.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A path along which something moves; a course
Following the track of an airplane on radar.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To move in the direction of; be guided by
Followed the sun westward.
Followed the signs to the zoo.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A course of action; a method of proceeding
On the right track for solving the puzzle.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To accept the guidance, command, or leadership of
Follow a spiritual master.
Rebels who refused to follow their leader.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
Awareness of something occurring or passing
Keeping track of the score.
Lost all track of time.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To take as a model or precedent; imitate
Followed my example and resigned.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To act in agreement or compliance with; obey
Follow the rules.
Follow one's instincts.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A rail or set of parallel rails upon which railroad cars or other vehicles run.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
Tracks The boundary, formerly often delineated by train tracks, that separates two neighborhoods of different social class
Grew up on the wrong side of the tracks.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
Either of the continuous metal belts with which vehicles such as bulldozers and tanks move over the ground.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To bring something about at a later time than or as a consequence of
She followed her lecture with a question-and-answer period. The band followed its hit album with a tour.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A metal groove or ridge that holds, guides, and reduces friction for a moving device or apparatus.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To occur or be evident as a consequence of
Your conclusion does not follow your premise.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
Any of several courses of study to which students are assigned according to ability, achievement, or needs
Academic, vocational, and general tracks.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A distinct path, as along a length of film or magnetic tape, on which sound, images, or other information is recorded.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A distinct selection from an audio or video recording, usually containing an individual work or part of a larger work
The title track of an album.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To keep oneself informed of the course, progress, or fortunes of
Follow the stock market.
Followed the local teams.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
One of two or more separate recordings that are combined so as to be replayed simultaneously, as in stereophonic sound reproduction
Mixed the vocal track and instrumental track.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To grasp the meaning or logic of; understand
Do you follow my argument?.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
One of the concentric magnetic rings that form the separate data storage areas on a floppy disk or a hard disk.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To come, move, or take place after another person or thing in order or time.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To occur or be evident as a consequence; result
If you ignore your diet, trouble will follow.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
Tracks(Slang) Needle marks on the skin from multiple intravenous injections, considered an indication of habitual drug use.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
(Games) A billiards shot in which the cue ball is struck above center so that it follows the path of the object ball after impact.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
To leave marks made of (dirt or mud, for example) on a surface
The dog tracked mud on the rug.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
(ambitransitive) To go after; to pursue; to move behind in the same path or direction, especially with the intent of catching.
Follow that car!
She left the room and I followed.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
To leave marks on (a floor, for example) when moving or traversing
You're tracking up my nice clean floor!.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
(ambitransitive) To go or come after in a sequence.
B follows A in the alphabet.
We both ordered the soup, with roast beef to follow.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
To observe or monitor the course of (an aircraft, for example), as by radar.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
(transitive) To carry out (orders, instructions, etc.).
Follow these instructions to the letter.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
To observe the progress of; follow
Tracking the company's performance daily.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
(transitive) To live one's life according to (religion, teachings, etc).
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
To determine or discover the location or origin of
Tracked the money to an offshore account.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
(transitive) To watch, to keep track of (reports of) some event or person.
I followed the incumbent throughout the election.
My friends don't regularly follow the news.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To subscribe to see content from an account on a social media platform.
If you want to see more of our articles, follow us on Twitter.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
(ambitransitive) To be a logical consequence of something.
It follows that if two numbers are not equal then one is larger than the other.
If you don't practise proper hygiene, illness is sure to follow.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
(transitive) To walk in, as a road or course; to attend upon closely, as a profession or calling.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
In billiards and similar games, a stroke causing a ball to follow another ball after hitting it.
A follow shot
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
To follow the undulations in the groove of a phonograph record. Used of a needle.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To go or come after; to move behind in the same path or direction; hence, to go with (a leader, guide, etc.); to accompany; to attend.
It waves me forth again; I'll follow it.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
To move in relation to a subject being filmed. Used of a camera or camera crew.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To endeavor to overtake; to go in pursuit of; to chase; to pursue; to prosecute.
I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A mark left by something that has passed along.
Follow the track of the ship.
Can you see any tracks in the snow?
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To accept as authority; to adopt the opinions of; to obey; to yield to; to take as a rule of action; as, to follow good advice.
Approve the best, and follow what I approve
Follow peace with all men.
It is most agreeable to some men to follow their reason; and to others to follow their appetites.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A mark or impression left by the foot, either of man or animal.
The fox tracks were still visible in the snow.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To copy after; to take as an example.
We had rather follow the perfections of them whom we like not, than in defects resemble them whom we love.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A road or other similar beaten path.
Follow the track for a hundred metres.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To result from, as an effect from a cause, or an inference from a premise.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To watch, as a receding object; to keep the eyes fixed upon while in motion; to keep the mind upon while in progress, as a speech, musical performance, etc.; also, to keep up with; to understand the meaning, connection, or force of, as of a course of thought or argument.
He followed with his eyes the flitting shade.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A path or course laid out for a race, for exercise, etc.
The athletes ran round the track.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To walk in, as a road or course; to attend upon closely, as a profession or calling.
O, had I but followed the arts!
O Antony! I have followed thee to this.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To go or come after; - used in the various senses of the transitive verb: To pursue; to attend; to accompany; to be a result; to imitate.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
(railways) The way or rails along which a train moves. Category:en:Rail transportation
They briefly closed the railway to remove debris found on the track.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
The art or process of following; specif., in some games, as billiards, a stroke causing a ball to follow another ball after hitting it. Also used adjectively; as, follow shot.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To travel behind, go after, come after;
The ducklings followed their mother around the pond
Please follow the guide through the museum
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Come as a logical consequence; follow logically;
It follows that your assertion is false
The theorem falls out nicely
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
(automotive) The distance between two opposite wheels on a same axletree.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Act in accordance with someone's rules, commands, or wishes;
He complied with my instructions
You must comply or else!
Follow these simple rules
Abide by the rules
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Come after in time, as a result;
A terrible tsunami followed the earthquake
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Behave in accordance or in agreement with;
Follow a pattern
Follow my example
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
(music) A song or other relatively short piece of music, on a record, separated from others by a short silence.
My favourite track on the album is "Sunshine".
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans;
She followed the feminist movement
The candidate espouses Republican ideals
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A circular (never-ending) data storage unit on a side of magnetic or optical disk, divided into sectors.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To bring something about at a later time than;
She followed dinner with a brandy
He followed his lecture with a question and answer period
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
The racing events of track and field; track and field in general.
I'm going to try out for track next week.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Imitate in behavior; take as a model;
Teenagers follow their friends in everything
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something;
We must follow closely the economic development is Cuba
Trace the student's progress
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Follow with the eyes or the mind;
Keep an eye on the baby, please!
The world is watching Sarajevo
She followed the men with the binoculars
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Be the successor (of);
Carter followed Ford
Will Charles succeed to the throne?
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
(transitive) To observe the (measured) state of a person or object over time.
We will track the raven population over the next six months.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Perform an accompaniment to;
The orchestra could barely follow the frequent pitch changes of the soprano
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
(transitive) To monitor the movement of a person or object.
Agent Miles has been tracking the terrorist since Madrid.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
(transitive) To match the movement or change of a person or object.
My height tracks my father's at my age, so I might end up as tall as him.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To be the product or result;
Melons come from a vine
Understanding comes from experience
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
To travel so that a moving object remains in shot.
The camera tracked the ball even as the field of play moved back and forth, keeping the action in shot the entire time.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Accept and follow the leadership or command or guidance of;
Let's follow our great helmsman!
She followed a guru for years
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Adhere to or practice;
These people still follow the laws of their ancient religion
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Work in a specific place, with a specific subject, or in a specific function;
He is a herpetologist
She is our resident philosopher
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Keep under surveillance;
The police had been following him for weeks but they could not prove his involvement in the bombing
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
(intransitive) To exhibit good cognitive function.
Is the patient tracking? Does he know where he is?
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Follow in or as if in pursuit;
The police car pursued the suspected attacker
Her bad deed followed her and haunted her dreams all her life
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
(transitive) To follow the tracks of.
My uncle spent all day tracking the deer, whose hoofprints were clear in the mud.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
Grasp the meaning;
Can you follow her argument?
When he lectures, I cannot follow
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
(transitive) To discover the location of a person or object by following traces.
I tracked Joe to his friend's bedroom, where he had spent the night.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
(transitive) To make tracks on or to leave in the form of tracks.
In winter, my cat tracks mud all over the house.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
To create a musical recording (a track).
Lil Kyle is gonna track with that DJ next week.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Follow
To subscribe to updates or posts on social media.
I follow several artists on Instagram.
Samantha Walker
Sep 26, 2023
Track
A mark left by something that has passed along; as, the track, or wake, of a ship; the track of a meteor; the track of a sled or a wheel.
The bright track of his fiery car.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A mark or impression left by the foot, either of man or beast; trace; vestige; footprint.
Far from track of men.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
To follow the tracks or traces of; to pursue by following the marks of the feet; to trace; to trail; as, to track a deer in the snow.
It was often found impossible to track the robbers to their retreats among the hills and morasses.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
To draw along continuously, as a vessel, by a line, men or animals on shore being the motive power; to tow.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A line or route along which something travels or moves;
The hurricane demolished houses in its path
The track of an animal
The course of the river
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
Evidence pointing to a possible solution;
The police are following a promising lead
The trail led straight to the perpetrator
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A distinct selection of music from a recording or a compact disc;
He played the first cut on the cd
The title track of the album
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
(computer science) one of the circular magnetic paths on a magnetic disk that serve as a guide for writing and reading data
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
A bar or bars of rolled steel making a track along which vehicles can roll
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
The act of participating in an athletic competition involving running on a track
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
Go after with the intent to catch;
The policeman chased the mugger down the alley
The dog chased the rabbit
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
Travel across or pass over;
The caravan covered almost 100 miles each day
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Track
To gather detailed information.
She uses software to track her expenses.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Track
To observe the course or development of something.
He tracks his favorite bands' concert tours.
Harlon Moss
Sep 26, 2023
FAQs
Does follow imply support or allegiance?
Yes, to follow can imply support or allegiance to a leader or ideology.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 26, 2023
What does it mean to follow someone?
To follow someone means to go or come after them.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Is tracking related to gathering information?
Yes, tracking is often related to gathering detailed information and understanding patterns or behaviors.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
What is the essence of tracking?
Tracking primarily involves observing or monitoring progress or movements meticulously.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Can follow signify adherence?
Yes, follow can signify adhering to or abiding by rules or instructions.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Does following imply alignment?
Yes, following often implies alignment or compliance with someone or something.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Can one follow an argument?
Yes, one can follow an argument, meaning they understand or grasp it.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 26, 2023
Is following passive?
Following can be either passive or active, depending on the context.
Harlon Moss
Sep 26, 2023
Is tracking an active process?
Typically, tracking is an active process requiring focus and engagement.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Can track be related to technology?
Yes, track is often related to using technology and software to monitor or observe information or activities.
Samantha Walker
Sep 26, 2023
Can track imply meticulous observation?
Absolutely, track often implies detailed and meticulous observation.
Samantha Walker
Sep 26, 2023
Can you track development?
Yes, you can track the development or progress of something to observe its course.
Janet White
Sep 26, 2023
Can follow be used in social media context?
Yes, in social media context, to follow means to subscribe to updates or posts of another user.
Samantha Walker
Sep 26, 2023
Can track be used in scientific contexts?
Absolutely, track is commonly used in scientific contexts to observe and study behaviors, movements, or changes.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Can following be a form of acceptance?
Indeed, following can suggest a degree of acceptance and alignment with thoughts, actions, or principles.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
