I get it. Building a big follower list on Twitter feels great until you spot the bots creeping in, especially after using a tool like Circleboom to flag them.
It's frustrating to think about your count dropping, but let's break this down clearly so you can decide what's best for your account. I'll explain the pros/cons based on how X works, and why Circleboom pushes for removal.
Why Bots Show Up and Why They're a Problem
Bots are automated fake accounts that follow people en masse to inflate numbers, spread spam, or game the system.
Circleboom is great at spotting them (it's an official X partner tool), but they don't engage with your content, they just sit there. Here's the impact:
- Inflated but fake growth: Your total followers look high, but your engagement rate (likes, replies, reposts) suffers because bots ignore posts. X's algorithm notices this and shows your tweets to fewer real people, tanking your reach over time.
- Account health risks: Too many bots can flag your profile as spammy, leading to shadowbans (reduced visibility) or even restrictions. They also attract more bots, creating a vicious cycle.
- Credibility hit: Brands, collaborators, or real users might glance at your follower list and think, "Half these are fakes, why engage?" Quality > quantity for long-term growth.
From what I've seen across user experiences, most people (including creators with 10k+ followers) say bots hurt more than help.
One creator shared how removing 3k bots via Circleboom boosted their "authenticity" and engagement feel. Another noted a temporary reach dip after a big cleanup, but it recovered with better real interactions
Pros and Cons of Removing Bot Followers
Here's a quick table to weigh it out:
| Aspect | Pros of Removing Bots | Cons of Removing Bots |
|---|---|---|
| Follower Count | Cleaner list; focuses on real growth. | Short-term drop (e.g., 10-20% if bots are heavy). |
| Engagement/Reach | Higher rates = algorithm loves you; more visibility to humans. | Possible brief "recalibration" dip (1-2 weeks) as X adjusts. |
| Account Safety | Reduces spam risk, avoids bans/flags. | New bots might follow anyway (but easier to spot/remove ongoing). |
| Overall Vibe | Feels authentic; attracts better connections. | Effort required (manual or tool-based). |
Bottom line: If your goal is genuine interactions, monetization (e.g., X's revenue share needs 500+ active followers), or brand cred, removing is a net win.
One outlier view is to "harvest" bots for quick monetization thresholds, but even that backfires long-term since X prioritizes engagement.
Don't chase vanity numbers they're easy to buy anyway
Example: Removing 1,000 Bot Followers
Before
- 10,000 followers
- 2,000 impressions per post
- 40 likes/replies → 2% engagement rate (low → X algorithm buries your posts)
After removing 1,000 bots
- 9,000 followers
- 2,200 impressions (algorithm favors real audience)
- 70 likes/replies → 3.2% engagement rate
Result: Reach +10%, real engagement +75%, better visibility in 1–2 weeks.
How to Remove Them Safely (Using Circleboom or Otherwise)
Since you've already detected them with Circleboom, you're halfway there.
Here's a step-by-step—it's straightforward and won't notify the bots:
- Log into Circleboom: Go to your dashboard > "Followers" > Filter for "Bots & Fakes" or "Low-Quality" (they score accounts based on activity, profile weirdness, etc.).
- Bulk Select & Remove: Check the boxes for flagged bots, then hit "Remove Followers." It processes in batches (free tier limits you, but paid starts cheap check their site). Confirm each wave to avoid mistakes.
- Manual Backup on X: For any leftovers, go to your X profile > Followers > Click the three dots on a bot's profile > "Remove this Follower." (No block needed unless they're spamming you.)
- Prevent Future Bots:
- Avoid follow-back chains or shady growth services—they're bot magnets.
- Run Circleboom audits monthly; pair it with X's built-in spam reports.
You're not alone in this confusion, tons of users hit the same wall after a viral post or growth spurt. Start small: Remove 100-200 today, track your next post's impressions (via X Analytics), and scale up. Your real followers will thank you with better vibes.
If your reach feels off post-cleanup, engage more (reply to comments, join Spaces) to signal the algorithm you're active. Hit me up if you need tool recs or more tips!
