Are bots used when an "opponent of similar skill" isn't available?

A couple of times when playing a 30 minute game against an "opponent of similar skill" I swear I'm playing a bot. Several times now I've played..something...that REALLY feels like a bot. Unresponsive to chats, bizarre play.

Does chess.com sub in a bot if an opponent of similar skill isn't available?

EDIT: https://www.chess.com/member/basti6980

Played like 20 games today already???

i think one of the staff would leak that info if they were theyd be at risk of firing someone, because someone would potentially blackmail them

No, the site does not use bots in the live pools.

Maybe a better question is "Do bots use the live pools?". I mean non-chess.com bots.

Not trying to be the tin foil hat guy, I'm genuinely wondering.

how would the bots get memberships?

I always ignore chat. Why do you even chat? To taunt?

I chat to be nice, but that's me I suppose.

hi

Do some people create accounts and use bots? Yes, but the vast majority of accounts play fairly.