A worked example of X follower overlap percentages
For a stated reference audience, divide shared collected accounts by the collected accounts in that audience. In this hypothetical example, 120 shared accounts are 30% of a 400-account list and 12% of a 1,000-account list. Those percentages describe the same intersection from different perspectives, not campaign reach.
The answer in full
An audience overlap percentage needs a stated reference list. This worked example uses invented teaching inputs: audience A has 400 collected accounts, audience B has 1,000 and 120 appear in both. The shared accounts represent 30% of A because 120 divided by 400 equals 0.30. They represent 12% of B because 120 divided by 1,000 equals 0.12. Both calculations are correct, but they answer different questions. Revealed's Pro Compare helps examine overlap between collected X audiences; this example explains how to interpret a proportion rather than documenting a particular interface formula or a real scan. Keep collection dates and coverage alongside any comparison. Incomplete collections may omit shared followers, and accounts are not verified unique people. The 280 collected accounts exclusive to A are a list difference, not a promise of 280 new impressions. Use these calculations to describe the data you have, then measure actual exposure and campaign outcomes separately.
At a glance
| Quantity | Calculation | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Shared share of A | 120 / 400 = 30% | Reference audience A |
| Shared share of B | 120 / 1,000 = 12% | Reference audience B |
| Accounts exclusive to A | 400 - 120 = 280 | Collected list difference |
| Combined distinct accounts | 400 + 1,000 - 120 = 1,280 | Accounts, not verified people |
Define the inputs before calculating
All figures here are hypothetical. A and B are two collected account lists, and the shared set is their intersection. No customer, creator or measured Revealed scan is represented.
In actual research, record both scan dates and collected counts. Do not mix a collected intersection with a public follower total and present the result as a complete-list overlap.
Keep the denominator visible
The smaller audience has a larger shared proportion in this example. That does not mean the intersection changed: it remains 120 accounts. The reference list changed.
Write 30% of collected audience A rather than 30% overlap without context. If quoting a value displayed by a tool, retain that tool's stated definition rather than replacing it with a guessed formula.
Translate the calculation into a research note
A defensible note says that 120 accounts were shared between these hypothetical lists and gives the two reference proportions. It then records what remains unknown: collection completeness, relevance and actual exposure.
Do not call the 280 accounts exclusive to A new customers or guaranteed additional reach. Following an account does not establish seeing a campaign post.
What to keep in mind
- Every count is an invented teaching input, not a product result.
- These manual calculations do not specify Revealed's interface formula.
- Overlap does not measure impressions, conversions or unique people.
Common questions
01Why can one intersection produce two percentages?
The denominator differs. Here, 120 accounts are 30% of A's 400 and 12% of B's 1,000.
02Is the non-shared audience guaranteed new reach?
No. It is a difference between collected account lists, not a measurement of campaign exposure.
03Does Revealed upload the followers I scan?
No. Scans run in your own browser and the audience data (profiles, bios, analytics and exports) stays in Chrome extension storage on your device. Revealed’s servers only handle your account, plan and billing.
04Can scanning with Revealed get my X account suspended?
It's possible. Revealed reads follower lists through your own signed-in X account, and X restricts automated access to its service. X can challenge, restrict or suspend accounts it believes are automated, including linked accounts. Revealed only reads data and paces scans to reduce the risk, but it can't control X's decisions. Keep scans modest, stop if X shows you a challenge, and avoid scanning from a business or client account.