Research Summary: When Does the Public Become Suspicious of Bots? Demand-Side Evidence from Botometer Query Logs

Analysis of Botometer query logs from 2020 to 2023 reveals insights into public suspicion of automated accounts, primarily on Twitter. Suspicion spikes during platform crises, notably around the 2022 Musk-Twitter dispute. Accounts attracting scrutiny are typically older, more prolific, have larger follower counts, and focus on promotional, political, or cryptocurrency content. These collectively suspected accounts tend to exhibit higher bot scores.

Why it matters

Understanding the triggers and characteristics of public suspicion towards automated accounts is critical for managing platform integrity, user trust, and reputation. This insight informs strategies for mitigating the impact of bot-related crises and developing more resilient online communication environments.

Key insights

• Public suspicion of automated accounts (bots) is measurable through bot-checking service query logs.
• Collective suspicion significantly increases during major platform-related crises, such as the 2022 Musk-Twitter bot dispute.
• Accounts drawing public suspicion are characterized by being older, more prolific, having more followers, and frequently posting content related to promotion, politics, or cryptocurrency.
• Accounts that generate collective suspicion tend to have objectively higher bot scores, as indicated by the Botometer service.

Source

arXiv — Computers and Society — https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.20661