Those with alphanumeric handles might be bots. For example: dmitry43758934. Account names are often Anglicized names to make them relatable, for example: "John Smith", "Tanya Jones", and so on.
Accounts with low follower counts (historically, under 200), disproportionate follower-to-following counts, rapid follower growth.
There are still Twitter accounts leftover from the 2016 elections which are being reused for the same purposes. Look for large gaps in their posting history, or accounts that are old with no posting history. New accounts are also suspicious. It's unlikely at this point in 2024 that someone has randomly decided to make a new Twitter account for politics, given the landscape of the service.
Troll accounts often focus on trending topics or specific geopolitical issues, such as supporting or opposing political figures or movements, to influence public opinion. Remarks are often inflammatory. They often engage in "rage farming," using emotionally charged language to provoke strong reactions and amplify their messages.
Troll accounts often display abnormal tweeting patterns, such as posting more than 50 to 60 tweets per day on the same topic. Replies can be copied & pasted or are variations of the same post.
Grammar which is extraordinarily atrocious is a good sign of foreign trolls who have broken English or are using translators. Also note strange, uncommon word usage and bad spelling or nonsensical sentences. "It rains ropes today so not forget your umbrella", "I am very fatigued subsequent to laboring the entirety of the day". Language may not align with the account's reported name / location / identity. Research shows that these actors frequently use polarized language to exacerbate divisions, making this a reliable indicator of troll accounts.
Accounts using default avatar images are generally suspicious regardless of who is doing it. Trolls also often use stolen or AI-generated images, particularly of young women, to appeal to certain audiences. Other common themes are hypermasculinity, pets or cartoon screenshots.
You have an instinct for a reason. If it looks or feels bad, be suspicious.