How to Get an Automated Tag on Twitter

Ever see a slick, useful Twitter/X account and spot a small gray label under its name that says Automated? That little tag is a signal of transparency, telling the world that the account posts content with the help of automation. This article breaks down what the automated tag means, why having one is beneficial, and the specific steps you need to take to properly set up and run an automated account in compliance with X's rules.

Decoding the ‘Automated’ Account Label on X

In an effort to provide more context about the accounts you see, X (formerly Twitter) introduced a set of labels to help users quickly understand who's behind a profile. You might have seen tags for a "Government account" or "State-affiliated media." The "Automated" label is part of this system, and its purpose is simple: to clearly identify accounts where the majority of the content is published programmatically, rather than by a human manually typing and posting.

This isn't about identifying malicious "bots" designed for spam or manipulation. In fact, it’s the opposite. The label is meant for "good bots" - accounts that perform a useful service through automation. These profiles are often a source of helpful, fun, or interesting information delivered automatically and on a schedule. Think of automated accounts that share:

• Weather alerts for a specific city
• Updates from a news feed or blog via RSS
• A famous quote every hour
• New color palettes or art generated by an algorithm
• Historical "on this day" facts

By declaring an account as automated, its creator is being upfront with their audience. It's a way of saying, "Hey, this content is coming from a script, not a person sitting at a keyboard right now." This manages expectations and builds a foundation of trust from the very start.

Beyond the Bot: Why an 'Automated' Tag Can Be a Good Thing

Some people might hear the word "bot" and automatically think of spam, but creators who use automation responsibly know that it’s a powerful tool. Getting the automated label (or more accurately, running your account in a way that *earns* one) comes with several distinct advantages.

Building Trust Through Transparency

The number one benefit is trust. When users see the "Automated" label, they instantly understand why the account posts with such frequency or at odd hours. They also know not to expect a personal reply if they comment. This transparency prevents misunderstandings and shows that you respect your audience enough to be honest about how the account operates. An upfront approach is always better than letting users guess or feel ignored.

Setting Clear Expectations

The label helps frame what your account is - and what it isn't. An account labeled "Automated" is understood as a utility or an information feed. Followers know they are there for the content itself, not to engage in deep conversations with a community manager. This is perfect for accounts whose sole mission is to dispense specific information, as it filters for an audience that values the service you provide without expecting an interaction that you're not equipped to deliver.

Complying With X’s Strict Automation Rules

X has a detailed set of Automation Rules that govern what automated accounts can and cannot do. A huge part of these rules is disclosure. You *must* be clear that your account is automated. Operating an automated account that pretends to be a person is a fast track to getting suspended. By setting up your account correctly, you're not just hoping to get a label - you're actively following the platform's terms of service, which protects your account from being shut down for platform manipulation.

How to Properly Set Up An Automated Account

Now for the most important part. A few years ago, X piloted a feature that allowed certain developers to apply for the "Automated" label directly from their settings. However, that program appears to have been discontinued or at least paused since the company's change in ownership. Currently, there is no direct button you can press to request the label.

So, how do accounts still get it? The label is now primarily applied by X’s own systems when an account clearly and consistently signals that it’s automated. Your goal, therefore, is not to fill out a form, but to make your account’s automated nature so obvious and compliant that it gets recognized as such. Think of it less as an application and more as a standard you need to meet. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1: Get Your Bio Right (This Is the Most Important Step)

Your bio is the single most important piece of real estate for declaring your account's status. It's the first place X's systems and human users will look for context. Your bio must contain two key pieces of information:

1. A clear statement that the account is automated. You can say "I'm a bot," "Automated account," or something more creative like, "A friendly robot posting daily dad jokes." The exact wording is flexible, but the meaning must be unmistakable.
2. A link to the human operator's X account. Transparency requires that people know who is behind the bot. You must include "Created by @YourUsername" or "Maintained by @YourCompanyAccount" in the bio. This link provides a point of contact and accountability.

Example Bio: I’m a bot that posts the SF/F short story of the day. All content is automated. Curated and maintained by my human creator, @RealPersonJane.

Step 2: Brand Your Profile Appropriately

An automated account should look like one. Avoid trying to make it appear like a real person's profile, as that sends mixed signals and could be seen as deceptive.

• Profile Picture: Use a logo, a graphic icon, or an abstract image that represents your bot's function. Do not use a photo of a person's face.
• Display Name: Your account's name should reflect its purpose. "Hourly Art Bot" is informative and clear. "ArtLover25" is not.
• Header Image: The header is a great place to add more context. You could use it to explain what the bot posts, how often it posts, and even reiterate the creator's username.

Step 3: Define a Clear, Valuable Purpose

Automated accounts thrive when they do one thing and do it extremely well. A bot that posts hourly dog pictures has a clear purpose. A bot that posts random memes, celebrity gossip, and unsolicited replies to other tweets does not - and will quickly get flagged for spam. Before you launch, decide what value your account will provide and stick to it. Whether it's helpful, entertaining, or beautiful, a consistent theme is critical for building an audience and staying on the right side of the rules.

The Dos and Don'ts of Running an Automated Account on X

Even with the perfect profile setup, your account’s moment-to-moment behavior is what ultimately determines if it stays active. A well-intentioned bot can still break the rules if not monitored correctly. Follow these guidelines to keep your automated account running smoothly.

The Dos

• DO provide genuine value. Your posts should be something people want to see. Aim to inform, entertain, or inspire.
• DO be transparent everywhere. Your bio is your first line of defense, but if you have a website connected to the account, it should also explain the automation behind it.
• DO monitor your account's activity. Automation can sometimes go wrong. Check in on your bot regularly to make sure it hasn't started posting nonsense, behaving erratically, or violating rules due to an API change or a bug in your code.
• DO respect API and rate limits. X has limits on how many times you can post or perform actions within a certain timeframe. Design your system to operate well within these limits to avoid getting throttled or suspended.

The Don'ts

• DON'T automate replies or mentions in a spammy way. An automated reply that sounds human is a definite violation. Simultaneously, never send unsolicited mentions to users who haven't interacted with you first.
• DON'T automate follows or unfollows. Aggressive follower churn is a classic spam tactic and will get your account shut down quickly. Automating follows is strictly prohibited.
• DON'T post the same exact content repeatedly. While your bot may post content in a similar format, avoid sending out identical or substantially similar updates, as this is a hallmark of spam.
• DON'T automate actions like Likes or Reposts. Using automation to inflate your metrics or someone else's is considered platform manipulation.
• DON'T surprise a user by interacting automatically. The best bots broadcast their content to their followers, they don't jump into conversations uninvited. Users shouldn't be surprised by an interaction from a bot.

Final Thoughts

Operating a successful automated account on X is less about chasing a specific label and more about practicing consistent transparency. Since you can't officially apply for the "Automated" tag, your focus should be on building trust and adhering to the platform’s rules by clearly identifying your account in its bio and providing predictable, valuable content without being spammy.

Whether you're managing helpful bots or handling content for your brands, keeping everything organized can be a heavy lift. At Postbase, we designed our platform to cut through that complexity. We focused on making a clean, modern social media tool that lets you visually plan your entire content calendar, schedule posts reliably across X and all your other platforms, and manage all your engagement in one unified inbox. If your current tools feel clunky and stuck in the past, you might be surprised at how much smoother your workflow can get.