Editing Bot click unsubscribe protection

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'''Navigation:''' [[Main_Page]] > [[Email Marketing]] > [[Deliverability]] > Bot click unsubscribe protection

== Bot Click Unsubscribe Protection ==

Bot click unsubscribe protection is a vital feature in ActiveCampaign designed to safeguard your email lists from the negative impact of automated bot clicks. These automatic unsubscribes often stem from various factors, such as '''antivirus scans''' and '''link scanners''' that click links within emails to check for malicious behavior. As a result, this can lead to erroneous unsubscribes if the scanners inadvertently trigger the unsubscribe process.

This feature is particularly significant as it helps to maintain the integrity of your contact lists, ensuring that your marketing efforts reach genuine subscribers without the disruption caused by bot activity. 

As of June 4, 2024, ActiveCampaign has implemented a '''human verification challenge''' to more effectively identify and block bot clicks on the unsubscribe button in emails. 

== How to Access This Feature ==

The bot click unsubscribe protection feature is automatically enabled for all ActiveCampaign accounts, and no additional action is required from users to access this feature. This functionality is available across all plan types including '''Starter''', '''Plus''', '''Pro''', and '''Enterprise.'''

== Step-by-Step Instructions ==

Here’s how the bot click unsubscribe protection process works:

1. **Initiation of Unsubscribe Request**: When a contact clicks on the '''unsubscribe link''' in an email, the ActiveCampaign system begins to assess the nature of the click.

2. **Human Verification Check**: If our system suspects that the unsubscribe action is being performed by a bot, it will prompt the contact to complete a '''human verification challenge'''. The challenge is designed to confirm that the request is being made by an actual person rather than an automated bot.

3. **Completion of Unsubscribe Process**: Once the verification challenge is solved, the unsubscribe request will proceed as normal. If the challenge is not completed, the system will not process the unsubscribe action.

This process not only helps in eliminating bot-induced unsubscribes but also protects your email lists from potential distortion caused by such automated activities.

== Configuration Options and Settings ==

As mentioned, there is no need for manual configuration for the bot click unsubscribe protection, as it is enabled by default. However, understanding its components can help users better leverage this feature:

- **Human Verification Challenge**: A key part of this feature, ensuring that only legitimate requests lead to a contact being unsubscribed.
  
- **Automatic Bot Click Detection**: ActiveCampaign automatically identifies patterns indicative of bot behavior to engage the verification challenge appropriately.

Since this feature is automatically activated, users can focus on crafting their email campaigns without worrying about unwanted unsubscribes.

== Best Practices and Tips ==

To maximize the effectiveness of the bot click unsubscribe protection feature, consider the following best practices:

- **Monitor Unsubscribe Rates**: Keep track of your unsubscribe rates through ActiveCampaign's reporting tools. The implementation of bot click unsubscribe protection should yield a noticeable decrease in these numbers if bot activity was previously a concern.

- **Retain Contact Engagement**: Continue engaging with your contacts to encourage genuine interactions. High levels of engagement can also reduce the likelihood of bots affecting your unsubscribe rates.

- **Email List Hygiene**: Regularly clean your email lists to ensure that they contain only active and consenting contacts, which will help in maintaining high deliverability and engagement rates.

== Common Use Cases with Examples ==

The bot click unsubscribe protection feature is beneficial in several scenarios, including:

- **Email Marketing Campaigns**: When sending out regular promotional emails, this feature helps ensure that your list remains composed of real customers, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of your campaigns.

- **Targeted Re-engagement Campaigns**: If you're running re-engagement campaigns, it protects against inaccuracies caused by bot activity, ensuring that you re-engage actual subscribers.

== Troubleshooting Section ==

While the bot click unsubscribe protection feature is designed to be seamless and user-friendly, here are some troubleshooting tips if you encounter issues:

- **Unsubscribe Requests are Denied**: Ensure that the unsubscribe request is indeed legitimate, as repeated attempts may trigger the bot detection system.

- **Human Verification Challenge Fails**: If the challenge frequently fails, check the email client being used, as some may not execute the verification step properly. 

- **Reporting Discrepancies**: Keep an eye on the unsubscribe metrics in your ActiveCampaign dashboard. If numbers do not reflect expected outcomes post-implementation, consider revisiting campaign strategies and email content.

== FAQ ==

1. **What happens if a bot unsubscribes my contact? Can I get them back?**
   - Yes, you have options to re-subscribe contacts manually or send them a link to a sign-up form if they were subscribed to other lists.

2. **How can I reduce bot clicks?**
   - The bot click unsubscribe protection is already set to help minimize bot impacts, requiring contacts to confirm the human verification before unsubscribing.

3. **How does this impact my reporting?**
   - You should see a significant reduction in your unsubscribe rate, especially if you have dealt with bot-driven unsubscribe activity in the past.

4. **Does this replace two-step unsubscribe?**
   - No, it supplements the two-step unsubscribe process; you still need to activate two-step unsubscribe manually.

5. **Is it common to have additional steps after someone clicks the unsubscribe button?**
   - Yes, it is normal, and having multiple steps in the unsubscribe process can enhance both security and compliance.

6. **Is the verification challenge like a CAPTCHA?**
   - The human verification challenge is user-friendly and mostly invisible, designed to not rely on traditional CAPTCHAs.

7. **Do I need to do anything to activate this on my account?**
   - No, this feature is enabled by default starting June 4, 2024.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the bot click unsubscribe protection feature in ActiveCampaign, helping to safeguard your email marketing efforts and maintain healthy contact lists.
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