How to Identify a Fake X (Twitter) Account.
One attribute is not enough to confirm if an account is fake however a combination of most of these checkpoints can provide you with a fair outlook
It is no longer a secret that the social media space is growing at a terrific speed every day. This growth has had its upsides and downsides, notably the fake accounts that are literally the order of the day.
These accounts often tend to mimic real people or brands spread misinformation, or attempt to manipulate trends and the like.
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While we cannot entirely do away with the fakes, thankfully, there are some clear steps you can take to identify whether an X (formerly Twitter) account is fake or not.
Whether you're new to the platform or a seasoned user, here are a few pointers to keep up your sleeves to avoid falling into the trap of fake accounts. One attribute is not enough to confirm if an account is fake however a combination of most of these checkpoints can provide you with a fair outlook:
Check for Certification (Verified Badge)
The first thing to check is whether the account is certified or verified. Certified accounts usually have a blue or gold checkmark. However, since the introduction of Twitter Blue, many users, including fake accounts, can pay for verification. So, don’t rely solely on this!
Examine the Account Name
Look carefully at the account name and handle. Fake accounts often use misleading names by adding extra characters, using similar spellings, or adding numbers to mimic official or well-known accounts. If you spot odd spacing, symbols, or numbers in the handle, that's a red flag!
Read the Account Bio
A quick glance at the bio can tell you a lot. Real accounts usually have detailed and coherent bios, often including location, professional details, and links. Fake accounts, on the other hand, often have vague or incomplete bios or even try to appear humorous, which can be a telltale sign of a parody or fake account.
Examine the Profile Picture
Real profiles often feature high-quality, professional images. Fake accounts may use images that seem unrelated or look like stock photos. You can run the image through a reverse image search to see if it’s a commonly used or stolen image.
Check Followers and Tweets
Here’s where things get interesting. A low number of followers compared to a high number of tweets can indicate a fake account. Look for strange behaviour like spammy or repetitive tweets, or inconsistent posting patterns.
Check the Date of Creation
Another important indicator is the date the account was created. If an account claiming to be a big public figure or well-known brand was created just a few days ago, that’s suspicious. Older, established accounts tend to have a steady history of activity.
Check Recent Activity: Tweets, Media, and Engagement
Take a look at the account's recent activity. Fake accounts may have minimal or automated engagement, such as lots of retweets without any original content or replies. Also, check the type of media they share — fake accounts often repost the same images repeatedly or share clickbait content.
Use Online Checker Tools like Botometer
There are tools out there to help you dig deeper into whether an account might be fake. Botometer is one such tool that helps you gauge whether an account is likely automated (a bot). Simply enter the handle, and the tool will analyse it for you, showing a score. Blue indicates human activity, while as the radar goes away towards the red score suggests bot-like behaviour.
Check the Source Code (this one is definitely for Advanced Users)
This step might be for the tech-savvy, but modifying the source code of a suspicious account's page and examining any irregularities can be another layer of verification. It's not common for regular users, but it’s an option for those with coding knowledge.
Fake accounts on X (Twitter) can be tricky to spot, but by following these steps and staying vigilant, you can protect yourself from scams and misinformation. Remember, trust your instincts. If something feels off about an account, it probably is. Happy scrolling, and stay safe!