How can I tell if a Twitter account is a bot?

Common bot indicators include: default profile picture (no custom avatar), random-looking usernames with long number sequences, no bio or a bio with only links/hashtags, extremely high following count with very few followers, no original tweets (only retweets), and accounts created very recently. Multiple indicators together make a stronger case than any single one.

Will unfollowing bots affect my follower count?

No. Unfollowing accounts removes them from your Following list — it does not change your Followers count. The bots will still follow you (if they do), but you will no longer see their content in your timeline. To remove bot followers, you would need to use Twitter/X's block feature.

How often should I clean out bot accounts?

Monthly cleanup is a good cadence for most users. Bot accounts constantly follow real users to appear legitimate, so new bots accumulate over time. Running the bot detection filters once a month keeps your following list clean without being overly time-consuming.

Can X Unfollow Pro automatically detect bots with AI?

X Unfollow Pro uses metadata-based filtering (profile completeness, follower ratios, activity levels) rather than AI-based classification. This approach is transparent — you see exactly why each account was flagged and can make the final decision yourself. The filter combination approach catches the vast majority of bot accounts.

Is it against Twitter/X rules to unfollow bot accounts?

No. Unfollowing accounts is a normal, permitted action on Twitter/X. You are free to curate your following list however you choose. X Unfollow Pro's rate-limit-safe pacing ensures the unfollowing happens at a pace that respects platform guidelines.

Updated Feb 2026

How to Detect & Remove Bot Accounts on Twitter/X

Spot the telltale signs of bot and spam accounts in your following list. Use smart filters to identify suspicious profiles and remove them in bulk — keeping your feed authentic and relevant.

Intermediate

10 minutes

6 steps

Before You Start

Google Chrome browser (desktop)
An X (Twitter) account
X Unfollow Pro installed from the Chrome Web Store

Install X Unfollow Pro from the Chrome Web Store

Visit the Chrome Web Store listing and click "Add to Chrome." The extension installs instantly with no account creation or API keys required. You will see a small PlugMonkey icon appear in your Chrome toolbar.

Chrome Web Store page for X Unfollow Pro showing the Add to Chrome button

Screenshot the Chrome Web Store listing page with the 'Add to Chrome' button highlighted. Show the extension rating and install count.

Navigate to your Following list on X

Go to x.com, click your profile picture, select "Profile," and then click the "Following" count near your bio. This opens your full following list where X Unfollow Pro can scan all the accounts you follow.

X (Twitter) profile page showing the Following count link

Screenshot your X profile page with an arrow pointing to the 'Following' count.

Open X Unfollow Pro and apply bot detection filters

Click the floating PlugMonkey button on the right side of your screen to open the management panel. Use the filter controls to identify bot-like accounts. Key bot indicators include: default profile image (egg/silhouette avatar), very low follower counts (under 5), extremely high following counts (following 5,000+ but with few followers), and no bio text. Apply the follower ratio filter to catch accounts with suspicious following-to-follower ratios.

Pro Tip

The strongest bot signal is a combination of: default profile picture + zero or near-zero tweets + high following count. Legitimate accounts almost always have at least a custom avatar and some activity.

X Unfollow Pro filter panel configured for bot detection criteria

Screenshot the filter controls expanded, showing follower count range set to low values, the default profile image filter enabled, and the bio keyword search box.

Review flagged accounts for bot characteristics

After applying filters, the panel shows accounts matching your bot criteria. Review each one carefully. Common bot red flags include: auto-generated usernames with random numbers (e.g., user38472819), bios containing only links or spammy keywords, accounts created very recently with no original content, and profiles that only retweet without posting original tweets. Scroll through the filtered results and look for patterns.

Important

Not every account matching bot criteria is actually a bot. Some real users have default profile pictures or low follower counts. When in doubt, click through to the profile to check their tweet history before unfollowing.

Filtered results showing suspected bot accounts with metadata visible

Screenshot the filtered list showing accounts with default avatars, random-looking usernames, and suspicious metadata. Highlight the bot indicators in the account details.

Whitelist legitimate accounts that match bot filters

Some real accounts may match bot criteria — new users, lurkers, or people who simply haven't customized their profiles. Click the shield icon next to any account you want to protect. Whitelisted accounts are excluded from all bulk actions, so you will not accidentally unfollow a real person who happens to look like a bot.

Pro Tip

If you recognize an account name or remember why you followed them, whitelist them. It is better to keep a few possible bots than to accidentally unfollow someone you actually want to follow.

Whitelisting a legitimate account that matched bot detection filters

Screenshot showing the shield icon being clicked on an account to protect it from bulk unfollow.

Bulk unfollow confirmed bot accounts

Once you have reviewed and whitelisted legitimate accounts, click "Bulk Unfollow" at the bottom of the panel. The confirmation dialog shows exactly how many accounts will be removed (excluding whitelisted ones). Confirm to begin the process. X Unfollow Pro removes accounts with automatic rate-limit-safe pacing to keep your account in good standing.

Important

Bulk Unfollow is a PRO feature. Free users can manually unfollow up to 10 accounts per week. Upgrade at <a href='/pricing/x-unfollow-pro/'>plugmonkey.xyz/pricing/x-unfollow-pro/</a> for unlimited bulk operations.

Bulk Unfollow confirmation dialog for removing bot accounts

Screenshot the confirmation dialog showing the number of bot accounts to be removed and the Confirm/Cancel buttons.

Summary

You have successfully identified and removed bot accounts from your Twitter/X following list. Cleaning out bots improves your timeline quality, reduces noise, and gives you a more accurate picture of your real audience. For ongoing maintenance, run the bot detection filters once a month — new bot accounts follow people constantly, so periodic cleanup keeps your list clean. Combine bot removal with the inactivity filter for a comprehensive following list audit. X Unfollow Pro's rate-limit-safe pacing ensures your account stays protected throughout the process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Clean Bots Out of Your Twitter/X Feed

X Unfollow Pro helps you spot bot accounts with smart filters and remove them in bulk. Free to install, no API keys required.

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