Here is the official answer....

''Points May be Deducted from Your Account

Our goal is to make our points a reward system, not to be punitive and deduct points all the time. That being said, there are certain scoring events that can be reversed (you lose the points).  Examples include:

• Deleting a blog post
• Deleting a comment
• Unfollowing a member

We have a rule in the system stating that any points are locked in after six months. So, if you go in and delete an outdated blog post from 2012, you won’t be penalized."

Try it and see. You can always re-follow if the points are the issue.

Don't think so. I canr emember deleting people who are gone from here and nothing changed.

I think I read something that points are locked after 6 months so if you unfollow or delete comments or posts you won't lose points if it was over six months ago. Not sure though.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/4563477/the-activerain-point-system

Here is where I read it Nathan Gesner.

I'm watching my follower count today , I'm watching you.

I do not think so..probably the person you are following will lose points.

You only get 10 points for following so if you do it would be hard to notice. I suggest giving it a try and watch closely to see.

Yes, but only if they are a recent follow.  I believe the points system blog explains it.

I do not believe so.  Deleting comments ... yes. 

I wish we knew.

Nathan - Looks like Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland has the correct answer.

Yes you will Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland knows - unless they posted something terrible why bother?

Nathan Gesner - I think if you 'UNFOLLOW' after 6 months, you do not lose points. Immediately? Never tried it. I usually do not 'UNFOLLOW'.

I don't believe so, but if all you lose is 10 points - no big deal.  I'm not here just for the points so if there was a legitimate reason to unfollow someone, just do it.

I have no idea but I'm guessing somebody as answered this one!

Good question

No, but they will put a hex on you forever... lol

I understand that the algorithm takes back the points if you unfollow within six months.  I don't know if this is still how it is handled.

 No. 

      And if you want to game the system for points, unfollow then re-follow and your total will increase by 10 points. 

      I don't know if the person that you unfollowed then re-followed gets 50 points or not, maybe you can tell me.  

Don't think so. I cleaned up my followers a while ago because some where no longer posting.

Anita Clark shares her wisdom....

I hope you give it a try and let us all know. I think i have only unfollowed soemone once in 8 years here though. 

I am without a clue. Have never done it!

That's a great question, Nathan Gesner! Along those same lines, there may not be any reason to unfollow them unless you just don't like what they post. I would think that the active members posts would push the inactive members posts down your blog roll.

I think after 6 months you won't lose the points.  Great question for support@activerain.com 

I don't know the answer to this one but it would seem that if you get points for following you should lose them for unfollowing?

I did not know the answer till I saw Margaret Rome answer.

If you followed them in last 6 months or so. I do not think, I even unfollowed anyone... 

If you do, it's probably not enough to worry about. Blog more and recover them!

does it matter?

Points are locked in after six months.

You will if you "unfollow" me!! 

As others have written. Hope you aren;t unfollowing us. Was it something we wrote?

I don't think so.

Sometimes

Since I haven't ever unfollowed someone, I don't know. But as I plan to do a spring cleanup, I guess I'll find out soon.

No idea

Great question! Not that I have unfollowed anyone. 

I don't think so.

I have never tried it, why unfollow?

I don't the answer to this question. I would have to ask that question myself if the need arose.  I like all that I am following so never had to think on this one.

I believe you need to leave them there for 6 months.

I think I read somewhere that you DO lose points when you unfollow, but that may have changed....

I don't think so, but I also don't remember what the guidelines say.

I don't know. Good question and thanks for asking.

I don't think so.

Nathan Gesner Probably not, but check the guidelines.

I will follow others unless someone wants to dump me. That has not yet happened on AR. A few who harassed others have been reported and removed membership. 

No I don't think so.

Nathan Gesner No idea.