X may implement labels for parody accounts, but enforcing them could be challenging.

X is populated with accounts that resemble actual public figures, including politicians, athletes, and artists. Some accounts incorporate “Parody” in their display names, while others include it in their bios, resulting in some users mistaking them for legitimate accounts — even those of news anchors.

As per insights from several app reverse engineers, the platform is working on a new label specifically for parody or fan commentary accounts, allowing them to better distinguish themselves as parody accounts.

Should the company introduce this label, and parody accounts choose to implement it, users will see a “Parody account” tag beneath the username on the profile page, as well as on their posts. This would reduce the likelihood of users confusing content from a parody account with that of the actual individual.

One of the greater challenges for the platform may be ensuring that parody accounts indeed utilize the label on their profiles. Currently, X has a provision in its Authenticity policy for parody accounts, requiring them to adhere to platform regulations that prevent impersonation with the intent to disseminate misinformation.

“We permit compliant Parody, Commentary, and Fan (PCF) accounts on X only if their intent is to discuss, satirize, or share information,” the policy states.

If the new label is implemented, X will also have to establish guidelines on how satirical accounts should adopt the label. If a significant number of parody accounts fail to embrace this label, it may lead to user confusion.

Importantly, X already has a label for automated bot accounts that utilize the social network’s API for automatic updates. However, not all bot accounts comply with these guidelines and apply the necessary label. Numerous reports have emerged regarding malicious actors employing various automation strategies to manipulate election narratives through bot accounts.