diff --git a/.env.production.sample b/.env.production.sample
index 7bcce0f7e59b98..4d058f0119180d 100644
--- a/.env.production.sample
+++ b/.env.production.sample
@@ -294,6 +294,9 @@ MAX_POLL_OPTION_CHARS=100
 # HCAPTCHA_SECRET_KEY=
 # HCAPTCHA_SITE_KEY=
 
+# New registrations will automatically follow these accounts (separated by commas)
+AUTOFOLLOW=
+
 # IP and session retention
 # -----------------------
 # Make sure to modify the scheduling of ip_cleanup_scheduler in config/sidekiq.yml
diff --git a/app/services/bootstrap_timeline_service.rb b/app/services/bootstrap_timeline_service.rb
index 126c0fa2e59791..8ed2974b09a0c1 100644
--- a/app/services/bootstrap_timeline_service.rb
+++ b/app/services/bootstrap_timeline_service.rb
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ def call(source_account)
 
     autofollow_inviter!
     notify_staff!
+    autofollow!
   end
 
   private
@@ -16,6 +17,19 @@ def autofollow_inviter!
     FollowService.new.call(@source_account, @source_account.user.invite.user.account)
   end
 
+  def autofollow!
+    return unless ENV['AUTOFOLLOW'].present?
+
+    ENV['AUTOFOLLOW'].to_s.split(',').each do |account|
+      begin
+        to_follow = Account.find_local!(account.strip)
+        FollowService.new.call(@source_account, to_follow)
+      rescue ActiveRecord::RecordNotFound
+        Rails.logger.warn("Could not find account #{account} to autofollow")
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
   def notify_staff!
     User.those_who_can(:manage_users).includes(:account).find_each do |user|
       LocalNotificationWorker.perform_async(user.account_id, @source_account.id, 'Account', 'admin.sign_up')