What does botting mean?
Botting refers to the use of automated software programs—bots—to perform tasks on computers or online services without direct human involvement. Most commonly encountered in the world of online gaming, botting involves running programs that play the game on a player's behalf, gathering resources, earning experience, or completing repetitive quests around the clock. It is equally prevalent in broader internet contexts: botting is used to mass-create accounts, snap up limited-release goods before genuine customers can buy them, inflate view counts, or spam platforms. The practice carries a firmly negative connotation, since it usually violates terms of service, distorts fair competition, and burdens servers. Game companies and websites invest heavily in detection systems that flag botting patterns, and offenders frequently face bans or account closures. The term derives from 'bot', short for robot, which ultimately comes from the Czech word 'robota', meaning forced labour.
The act or practice of using bots—automated programs—to carry out tasks such as playing games, purchasing items, or interacting with services automatically.
"Botting ruined the server's economy by flooding it with farmed gold."
Almost always used disapprovingly; the uncountable noun form is standard.
(present participle of 'to bot') To engage in the use of bots to automate gameplay or online activity.
"They suspected he was botting because his character never logged off."
The word 'botting' traces back to the Czech word robota — meaning forced labour — so every banned game bot is literally named for drudgery.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of botting
Botting derives from 'bot', an abbreviation of 'robot' coined in the early days of computing. The word robot itself entered English from Czech, introduced in Karel Čapek's 1920 play R.U.R., where it was drawn from the Slavic root 'robota', meaning forced labour or drudgery. As automated scripts proliferated online from the 1990s onward, 'bot' became a standard term for autonomous programs, and 'botting' emerged as the gerund describing their use, particularly within gaming communities.
Related word forms
How botting is actually used
Informal register, used chiefly in gaming, cybersecurity, and online communities; it carries a strongly negative connotation, implying cheating or abuse of a service.
Easily confused with botting
Booting is starting up a computer system, whereas botting is running automated bot programs, despite their similar spelling and pronunciation.