Bot
Definition
A piece of software that performs automated tasks, often ones that mimic human activity. The word covers a lot of ground: the chatbot answering questions on a website, the account posting on its own, the program checking prices around the clock. Some bots are helpful, some are a nuisance, and some are outright deceptive. The word itself just means "automated software," nothing more.
Why It Matters
It's a vague word doing a lot of work. Knowing it simply means "automated software" helps you ask the better question: whose bot, doing what, and why.
What does that look like in practice?
The little chat window offering 'Hi, how can I help?' on a shopping site is usually a bot, not a person.
What people actually mean when they say this
When someone says 'that account is a bot,' they mean it's automated software posting on its own, not a real person typing.
Last reviewed: June 2026
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