There are so many lessons to learn about what is and what is not a bot on the Internet. It’s important to know!

This CM study made a bold claim about many bots using the hashtag Covid19 a month ago. This week media began to cover it.

...And now platform folks are responding... https://twitter.com/yoyoel/status/1264646960419504129

The variance in definition of what counts as “automation” vs “a marketing tool” is paper thin.

And yet, researchers still go back to “bot counting” knowing that no method will satisfy other bot researchers.

#welcometothebotnet

It’s frustrating to see researchers amp certain findings that are very specific to their method, have media cover it, and then the field spends days arguing over research that requires a lot of context to understand.

Without access to data to corroborate findings, it’s moot.

Without a cross-sector standard definition for “bot,” it’s all talking passed each other.

But more importantly, we should demand social media companies disclose publicly if an account is a bot (even if it is labeled as a bot based on their own standards).

This would help the public understand more about online engagement and what is shaped by automation. You’d be surprised how much of social media communication for brands, celebs, non profits, politicians, and influencers, and even teachers use software to program posts!

On Friday, join #BigIfTrue for a discussion about @Brief_19, the politics of health, data reuse, and preprints... (May 29: 1-2pm) https://medium.com/bigiftrue/big-if-true-science-is-politics-by-other-means-1311d4e75438