boluser

Boluser is a term used in online communities to describe a user who engages in a rapid, repetitive pattern of posting across multiple threads with the aim of maximizing visibility or overwhelming conversations. The term is used variably, sometimes referring to both human users and automated accounts that post in bursts; in other contexts it designates any sustained effort to flood a platform with content within a short time span. The origin of the term is uncertain; it appears in online discourse in the 2020s and is most common in informal moderation discussions on forums, messaging servers, and microblogging communities. It is often associated with practices such as multi-thread posting, cross-posting identical messages, or coordinated activity during a campaign or controversy, and may be used pejoratively to criticize perceived manipulation of platform algorithms.

Characteristics commonly cited include high posting frequency, bursts of activity, repetitive messaging, use of similar text or templates, and occasional coordination with other users. Bolusers may target specific topics, users, or events, and their activity can affect moderation by triggering automated filters or drowning legitimate discussion.

Impact and reception: Critics argue bolusers degrade discourse, burden moderators, and distort moderation algorithms; defenders may describe aggressive engagement or rapid commenting as a form of participation during fast-moving topics. Platforms vary in how they address boluser activity, ranging from rate limits and anti-spam measures to user reports and account suspensions.

See also: brigading, spam, bot, online harassment, social media manipulation.