Elon Musk adds parody labels, and X users can’t stop making fun of it

Elon Musk’s social media baby, X (Twitter 2.0), just dropped a new update that’s got the internet buzzing – parody account labels. It’s the latest in Musk’s toolkit to keep the chaos on X somewhat contained.

Announced on January 10, 2025, this move is all about helping users separate the authentic from the satirical, and in the wild west of social media, it’s about time.

The online world has been having a field day with Musk’s antics and anything X-adjacent. Because the minute a new change is rolled out, social media seems to revel in pointing out how much worse things are than before – in the most comedic ways, of course.

When X sneezes, the internet’s there with tissues and a running commentary. An X user posted: "How everybody's account looks with the parody label."

Another user stated: "The parody acc label being the ugliest thing ive ever seen in my life."

A user mentioned: "or maybe put the verification and blue check to the legit accounts. You know, LIKE BEFORE."

A user highlighed: "So. They got rid of the checkmarks so you can’t tell who’s the verified account anymore. Then they add ‘parody’ labels to every other account to distinguish from the non-labeled verified account."

Another ironic post read: "This app is cooked. They broke verification only to put it back together with scotch tape, dreams and technicolor badges."

A user wrote: "you know, there used to be a system to address it. something along the lines of "verified checkmark" but you do you."

"Im sorry but this is so stupid. I have to reinstall the app just to let people with negative braincells know im not sabrina carpenter. This is just a bad choice. Lmfao💀💀💀💀", a post read.

Meanwhile, a user humorously asked: "Does this mean I can pretend to be Walmart again."

Another one said: "Elon to fan pages."

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Why do we need the parody labels?

While scrolling through X, have you ever stumbled upon a post that made you spit out coffee, only to realize a second later that it’s satire? The new parody labels are here to cut down on those "wait, what?" moments.

They’ll pop up on parody profiles and posts, making it crystal clear that what you’re reading is more for laughs than for likes.

How to get your parody label on?

• Head to Settings and Privacy on your X account.
• Navigate to Your Account > Account Information.
• Click on the Parody, Commentary, and Fan Account options.

Boom, now your account’s officially a satire station.

Right now, slapping a parody label on your account is optional, but don’t get too comfy. X is gearing up to make these labels mandatory.

The company hasn’t dropped the full timeline yet, but get ready for a more standardized way of saying that this is just for giggles.

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A history lesson: The parody problem

In the digital age, parody accounts have been a double-edged sword—equal parts hilarity and headache. From tricking various news forums to deceiving casual scrollers, these accounts have definitely caused quite their share of chaos.

Musk’s parody labels are the latest effort to sort out this web of foolery so that if you ever see something outrageous happen on X, you’ll know it was just some sort of prankster situation and not a real meltdown.

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Musk’s mission for more transparency

Elon Musk is supposedly out on a quest to purify the internet. As early as 2022, he wanted parody accounts to place “parody” in their handles, not just in the bio section.

Fast forward to now, and he’s doubling down on that vision with these new labels.