Twitter/X Poster - Automated Tweet Publishing & Social Media Automation

Post tweets, create threads, reply to conversations, and attach images on Twitter/X without expensive API access. This browser automation actor bypasses the $100/month Twitter API Basic tier costs while providing enterprise-grade stability with session persistence, captcha solving, and residential proxy support.

Perfect for: Social media managers, marketing agencies, brand automation, content scheduling, engagement campaigns, and growth hacking.

---

Why Use Twitter Poster Instead of the API?

Feature	Twitter API (Basic Tier)	Twitter Poster
Cost	$100/month minimum	Pay-per-use (~$0.15/tweet)
Rate Limits	1,500 tweets/month	Unlimited*
Setup Time	Days (API approval)	Minutes
Thread Support	Complex implementation	Built-in
Image Upload	Manual media handling	Automatic
Session Management	N/A	Automatic persistence
Captcha Handling	N/A	2Captcha integration

*Subject to Twitter's fair use policies

---

Key Features

Core Posting Features

• Single Tweets - Post text updates up to 280 characters
• Multi-Tweet Threads - Create engaging thread content automatically
• Reply to Tweets - Respond to specific tweets by URL
• Image Attachments - Upload up to 4 images per tweet with auto-generated alt text

Enterprise Stability Features (v2.1+)

• Session Persistence - Cookies saved to Apify KV Store, reducing login frequency
• 2Captcha Integration - Automatic Arkose/FunCaptcha challenge solving
• Sticky Proxy Sessions - Consistent IP assignment for better stability
• Browser Fingerprint Protection - Advanced anti-bot evasion
• Auto-Retry Logic - Smart error handling and recovery

Developer Features

• Webhook Integration - POST notifications for Zapier, Make, n8n workflows
• IndexNow Support - Instant search engine indexing of posted content
• Demo Mode - Test without credentials (no charges)
• Detailed Logging - Full visibility into posting process

---

Quick Start Examples

Post a Single Tweet

{
  "cookies": "[your exported cookies JSON]",
  "tweet": "Hello Twitter! This is my automated post.",
  "demoMode": false
}

Create a Thread

{
  "cookies": "[your exported cookies JSON]",
  "isThread": true,
  "threadTweets": [
    "1/ Here's a thread about automation...",
    "2/ First, you need to understand the basics...",
    "3/ Then implement the solution...",
    "4/ Finally, scale your operations!"
  ],
  "demoMode": false
}

Reply to a Tweet

{
  "cookies": "[your exported cookies JSON]",
  "tweet": "Great point! Here's my take on this...",
  "replyToUrl": "https://x.com/username/status/1234567890",
  "demoMode": false
}

Post with Images

{
  "cookies": "[your exported cookies JSON]",
  "tweet": "Check out this amazing photo!",
  "imageUrls": [
    "https://example.com/image1.jpg",
    "https://example.com/image2.png"
  ],
  "demoMode": false
}

Production Setup with All Features

{
  "cookies": "[your exported cookies JSON]",
  "tweet": "Professional automated posting!",
  "reuseSession": true,
  "twoCaptchaApiKey": "your-2captcha-key",
  "proxy": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"],
    "apifyProxyCountry": "US"
  },
  "webhookUrl": "https://hooks.zapier.com/hooks/catch/...",
  "timeout": 120,
  "demoMode": false
}

---

Input Parameters Reference

Authentication

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
username	string	No*	Twitter username or email
password	string	No*	Twitter password
cookies	string	No*	Exported cookies JSON (recommended)

*One authentication method required: cookies OR username+password

Content

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
tweet	string	Yes**	Tweet text (max 280 chars)
imageUrls	array	No	Image URLs to attach (max 4)
replyToUrl	string	No	URL of tweet to reply to
isThread	boolean	No	Create thread instead of single tweet
threadTweets	array	No	Array of tweets for thread

**Required unless isThread: true with threadTweets

Session & Stability

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
reuseSession	boolean	true	Save/reuse authenticated sessions
twoCaptchaApiKey	string	-	API key for captcha solving
proxy	object	Residential US	Proxy configuration
timeout	integer	120	Max operation time (seconds)

Integrations

Parameter	Type	Description
webhookUrl	string	URL for POST notifications
indexNowKey	string	IndexNow API key for SEO
demoMode	boolean	Test mode (no real posting)

---

Output Format

Successful Post

{
  "success": true,
  "tweetUrl": "https://x.com/yourhandle/status/1234567890123456789",
  "tweetId": "1234567890123456789",
  "postedAt": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z",
  "authMethod": "cookies",
  "sessionReused": true,
  "imagesUploaded": 2,
  "threadLength": 1
}

Thread Post

{
  "success": true,
  "threadUrls": [
    "https://x.com/handle/status/111...",
    "https://x.com/handle/status/222...",
    "https://x.com/handle/status/333..."
  ],
  "threadLength": 3,
  "postedAt": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z"
}

Error Response

{
  "success": false,
  "error": "Authentication failed - invalid cookies",
  "errorType": "AUTH_ERROR",
  "timestamp": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z"
}

---

Use Cases

1. Social Media Marketing Automation

Schedule and automate brand posts across multiple Twitter accounts. Integrate with your CRM or marketing automation platform via webhooks.

2. Content Distribution

Automatically share blog posts, news articles, or product updates to Twitter when published. Combine with RSS feeds and workflow automation.

3. Customer Engagement

Set up automated replies to common questions or thank-you messages. Build engagement campaigns that respond to specific hashtags or mentions.

4. Thread Publishing

Transform long-form content into engaging Twitter threads. Perfect for educational content, storytelling, or product launches.

5. Multi-Account Management

Manage multiple brand accounts from a single automation workflow. Each account maintains its own session and cookies.

6. Lead Generation

Engage with potential customers by replying to relevant tweets. Automate outreach while maintaining a personal touch.

7. Event Live-Tweeting

Pre-schedule a series of tweets or threads for events, product launches, or webinars.

8. SEO & Brand Visibility

Use IndexNow integration to ensure your Twitter content gets indexed by search engines immediately.

---

Authentication Guide

Method 1: Cookie-Based (Recommended)

Cookie authentication is the most stable method with the highest success rate.

How to Export Cookies:

1. Install a browser extension like "Cookie-Editor" or "EditThisCookie"
2. Log into Twitter/X in your browser
3. Click the extension icon
4. Export all cookies as JSON
5. Paste the JSON into the cookies field

Benefits:

• No login process (faster, more reliable)
• Avoids most security challenges
• Sessions last 24+ hours
• Works with 2FA-enabled accounts

Method 2: Username/Password

Direct login with credentials. May trigger security challenges.

{
  "username": "your_username",
  "password": "your_password"
}

Note: If you have 2FA enabled, cookie-based auth is required.

---

Stability Features Explained

Session Persistence

Sessions are automatically saved to Apify's KV Store and reused across runs:

• Session Key: Generated from your credentials (hashed)
• Storage: Encrypted cookies in Apify KV Store
• Expiry: 24 hours (configurable)
• Benefit: Reduces login frequency, avoids security triggers

2Captcha Integration

Twitter uses Arkose Labs FunCaptcha for bot detection. When enabled:

1. Challenge is detected automatically
2. Captcha is sent to 2Captcha service
3. Solution is injected into the page
4. Process continues automatically

Setup:

1. Create account at 2captcha.com
2. Add funds ($3 minimum recommended)
3. Copy your API key
4. Add to twoCaptchaApiKey input

Sticky Proxy Sessions

Residential proxies with consistent IP assignment:

{
  "proxy": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"],
    "apifyProxyCountry": "US"
  }
}

Why It Matters:

• Same IP across session = less suspicious
• Residential IPs are trusted by Twitter
• Country targeting for geo-relevant content

---

Pricing

This actor uses pay-per-event billing:

Event	Description	Price
apify-actor-start	Base cost per run	$0.10
tweet_posted	Per tweet posted	$0.05

Example Costs:

Action	Calculation	Total
Single tweet	$0.10 + $0.05	$0.15
Thread (5 tweets)	$0.10 + (5 × $0.05)	$0.35
Tweet with 2 images	$0.10 + $0.05	$0.15
100 tweets/month	100 × $0.15	$15.00

Compare to Twitter API: $100/month vs ~$15/month for typical usage!

---

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Q: Is this against Twitter's Terms of Service? A: Browser automation exists in a gray area. This tool mimics normal user behavior. For maximum safety, use reasonable posting frequencies and avoid spammy content.

Q: Can I use this with multiple Twitter accounts? A: Yes! Each account needs its own cookies or credentials. Run separate actor executions for each account.

Q: How many tweets can I post per day? A: There's no hard limit from our side. However, Twitter may flag accounts posting excessively. We recommend staying under 50 tweets/day per account.

Q: Does this work with Twitter/X Premium accounts? A: Yes, it works with all account types including Premium/Blue subscribers.

Authentication Questions

Q: My cookies stopped working. What happened? A: Cookies expire after ~24 hours or when you log in elsewhere. Re-export fresh cookies from your browser.

Q: Can I use this with 2FA enabled? A: Yes, but you must use cookie-based authentication. Username/password won't work with 2FA.

Q: How do I export cookies from Chrome? A: Install "Cookie-Editor" extension → Go to x.com → Click extension → Export as JSON → Paste into actor input.

Technical Questions

Q: Why did my run fail with "Challenge detected"? A: Twitter showed a captcha. Enable 2Captcha integration with a valid API key to solve these automatically.

Q: Can I schedule tweets for later? A: This actor posts immediately. For scheduling, use Apify's scheduler to trigger runs at specific times.

Q: How do I integrate with Zapier/Make? A: Use the webhookUrl parameter. The actor will POST results to your webhook URL when complete.

Q: What image formats are supported? A: JPEG, PNG, GIF, and WebP. Images are automatically processed and compressed if needed.

---

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Authentication Errors

Error: Authentication failed - invalid cookies

• Cause: Cookies expired or were invalidated
• Fix: Export fresh cookies from your browser

Error: Login failed - security challenge

• Cause: Twitter detected unusual activity
• Fix:
  1. Add 2Captcha API key
  2. Use residential proxy
  3. Try cookie-based auth instead

Error: Account locked or suspended

• Cause: Twitter flagged your account
• Fix: Log into Twitter manually and complete any verification steps

Posting Errors

Error: Tweet text exceeds 280 characters

• Cause: Tweet too long
• Fix: Shorten your tweet or use threads for longer content

Error: Duplicate tweet detected

• Cause: Twitter blocks identical consecutive tweets
• Fix: Add variation to your tweet text

Error: Rate limit exceeded

• Cause: Too many posts in short period
• Fix: Wait 15 minutes and reduce posting frequency

Proxy Errors

Error: Proxy connection failed

• Cause: Proxy server unavailable
• Fix: Try different proxy group or country

Error: IP blocked by Twitter

• Cause: Datacenter IP detected
• Fix: Switch to residential proxies

Image Errors

Error: Failed to download image

• Cause: Image URL inaccessible
• Fix: Verify URL is publicly accessible and not behind authentication

Error: Image too large

• Cause: Image exceeds Twitter's limits
• Fix: Use smaller images (under 5MB)

---

What's New in v2.1

Session Persistence System

• Cookies automatically saved to Apify KV Store
• Sessions reused across runs (24-hour validity)
• Reduces login frequency by 90%
• Sticky proxy sessions for consistent IP

2Captcha Integration

• Automatic Arkose/FunCaptcha detection
• Seamless challenge solving
• Report bad solutions for refunds
• Timeout handling (5 minutes max)

Enhanced Stability

• Improved error handling and retry logic
• Better fingerprint randomization
• Smarter wait times between actions
• Detailed logging for debugging

Image Processing

• Auto-generated alt text using Claude AI
• Improved image format detection
• Better compression handling
• Support for WebP format

---

Integration Examples

Zapier Integration

1. Create a Zapier Zap with "Webhooks by Zapier" trigger
2. Copy the webhook URL
3. Add to webhookUrl in actor input
4. Configure actions based on success field

Make (Integromat) Integration

1. Create scenario with "Webhooks" module
2. Get the webhook URL
3. Add to actor input
4. Parse JSON response for tweet URL

n8n Integration

{
  "nodes": [
    {
      "name": "Twitter Poster",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
      "parameters": {
        "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/your-actor-id/runs",
        "method": "POST",
        "body": {
          "cookies": "{{ $json.cookies }}",
          "tweet": "{{ $json.tweet_text }}"
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

Python SDK

from apify_client import ApifyClient

client = ApifyClient("your-api-token")

run = client.actor("alizarin_refrigerator-owner/twitter-poster").call(
    run_input={
        "cookies": cookies_json,
        "tweet": "Hello from Python!",
        "demoMode": False
    }
)

print(run["defaultDatasetItems"][0])

JavaScript/Node.js

import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

const client = new ApifyClient({ token: 'your-api-token' });

const run = await client.actor('alizarin_refrigerator-owner/twitter-poster').call({
  cookies: cookiesJson,
  tweet: 'Hello from Node.js!',
  demoMode: false
});

console.log(run.defaultDatasetItems[0]);

---

Best Practices

For Maximum Stability

1. Use Cookie Authentication - Most reliable method
2. Enable Session Reuse - Reduces login frequency
3. Add 2Captcha Key - Handles challenges automatically
4. Use Residential Proxies - Better trust with Twitter
5. Post at Human Pace - 1-5 minute delays between posts

For Brand Safety

1. Review Content - Avoid automated content that could be controversial
2. Monitor Results - Check webhook responses for failures
3. Maintain Backups - Keep cookie exports updated
4. Follow ToS - Stay within Twitter's acceptable use policies

For Performance

1. Batch Operations - Combine multiple tweets in threads
2. Reuse Sessions - Avoid fresh logins when possible
3. Optimize Images - Smaller files = faster uploads
4. Use Webhooks - Async notifications vs polling

---

Support & Resources

• Issues: Report bugs via Apify console feedback
• Documentation: Apify Actor Documentation
• 2Captcha Setup: 2captcha.com
• Cookie Export Guide: Search "Cookie-Editor Chrome extension"

---

Changelog

v2.1.0 (Latest)

• Added session persistence system
• Added 2Captcha integration for Arkose challenges
• Added sticky proxy sessions
• Improved fingerprint randomization
• Enhanced error handling
• Added webhook support
• Added IndexNow integration

v2.0.0

• Complete rewrite with PlaywrightCrawler
• Added thread support
• Added reply functionality
• Added image attachments
• Improved anti-detection

v1.0.0

• Initial release
• Basic tweet posting
• Cookie authentication

---

Built by John Rippy | LinkedIn | Actor Arsenal

Keywords: Twitter automation, X poster, tweet bot, social media automation, Twitter API alternative, automated tweeting, Twitter thread creator, social media marketing, Twitter scheduler, tweet posting service, Apify Twitter actor