Bots on X

An X bot or a Twitter bot is a type of software bot that controls an X (formerly Twitter) account via the platform's API. The social bot software may autonomously perform actions such as tweeting, retweeting, liking, following, unfollowing, or direct messaging other accounts. The automation of X accounts is governed by a set of automation rules that outline proper and improper uses of automation. Proper usage includes broadcasting helpful information, automatically generating interesting or creative content, and automatically replying to users via direct message. Improper usage includes circumventing API rate limits, violating user privacy, spamming, and sockpuppeting. X bots may be part of a larger botnet. They can be used to influence elections and in misinformation campaigns. X's policies do allow non-abusive bots, such as those created as a benign hobby or for artistic purposes, or posting helpful information, although price changes introduced to the previously free API service in June 2023 resulted in many such accounts closing.