Twitter's Impersonation policy

What is not an impersonation policy violation?

Accounts with similar usernames or that are similar in appearance (e.g., the same profile image) are not automatically in violation of the impersonation policy. In order to violate our impersonation policy, the account must portray another entity in a misleading or deceptive manner.

An account will not be removed if:

The user shares your name but has no other commonalities, or

The profile clearly states it is not affiliated with or connected to any similarly-named individuals or brands.

Twitter users are allowed to create parody, newsfeed, commentary, or fan accounts. Please refer to Twitter’s parody, newsfeed, commentary, and fan account policy for more information about these types of accounts.

When does Twitter review accounts under this policy?

We review impersonation claims upon receipt of a valid impersonation report. We do not actively monitor users’ content.

How do I file an impersonation report?

If you are the impersonated party or an authorized representative, you can file an impersonation report. If you believe an account is impersonating somebody else, you can flag it as a bystander by reporting directly from the account’s profile.

Please note, submitting a report with incomplete information will delay the processing of your report.

Can I request a specific username?

We generally do not accept individual requests for inactive or suspended usernames.

What if my trademark is being misused?

Companies and businesses should report accounts misusing their trademarks by filing a complaint under our trademark policy. Please review the trademark policy page for more information.

What happens if you violate this policy?

If we determine that you violated our impersonation policy, we may suspend your account. In some instances, an account may be permanently suspended upon first review. If you believe that your account was suspended in error, you can submit an appeal.

Additional resources

Learn more about our range of enforcement options and our approach to policy development and enforcement.