A Twitter bot (or X bot) is a type of software bot that controls a Twitter account via the Twitter API.[1] The social bot software may autonomously perform actions such as tweeting, retweeting, liking, following, unfollowing, or direct messaging other accounts.[2] The automation of Twitter accounts is governed by a [2]set of automation rules that outline proper and improper uses of automation.[3] Proper usage includes broadcasting helpful information, automatically generating interesting or creative content, and automatically replying to users via direct message.[4][5][6] Improper usage includes circumventing API rate limits, violating user privacy, spamming,[7] and sockpuppeting. Twitter bots may be part of a larger botnet. They can be used to influence elections and in misinformation campaigns.
Twitter's policies do allow non-abusive bots, such as those created as a benign hobby or for artistic purposes,[8] or posting helpful information,[9] although price changes introduced to the previously free API service in June 2023 resulted in many such accounts closing.[10]
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