Elon Musk’s X Introduces Parody Tags to Improve Account Transparency

X, formerly known as Twitter, has introduced a new account label specifically for parody or satirical accounts, in an effort to reduce impersonation and improve content transparency. The “Parody Account” label, announced Friday, will appear under these accounts’ profiles and on their posts, helping users differentiate real entities from their satirical counterparts.

The microblogging platform explained this feature via its official security account, noting that labels adhere to its Parody, Comment and Fan (PCF) regulations. This regulation allows accounts to engage in satire and commentary while ensuring that visibility of content does not create confusion or imply affiliation.

The new labels are designed to clarify the source of content, clearly distinguishing between authentic stories and those created for satirical purposes. According to X’s policy, although users are not required to display their true identities, impersonating individuals, organizations, or groups for deceptive purposes is strictly prohibited.

X owner Elon Musk is a strong advocate of such measures. In 2022, Musk highlighted the need for parody accounts to include the term “parody” in their account name rather than just their bio.

Parody tags, first spotted in development in November 2024, are currently optional. Users can apply the label by going to Settings & Privacy > Your Account > Account Info and selecting the “Parody, Comments & Fan Account” option.

For accounts deemed inauthentic or exhibiting deceptive behavior, X users can report them through the app or the platform’s help center. While this feature remains voluntary at this point, X plans to notify users if the labels become mandatory in the future.