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'''Navigation:''' [[Main_Page]] > [[ActiveCampaign Release Notes]] > [[2024 Release Notes]] > BotSense
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'''Navigation:''' [[Main_Page]] > [[Reports]] > [[Advanced]] > BotSense


= Introducing BotSense =
== Filter Out Bot Clicks with ActiveCampaign's BotSense ==


== Introduction ==
ActiveCampaign's '''BotSense''' feature is an essential tool for marketers seeking to enhance their email reporting accuracy by filtering out unwanted bot click activity. This article will explore what bot clicks are, how BotSense works, and provide detailed instructions on how to access and configure this feature.


With the increasing sophistication of bots mimicking human behavior, email engagement data has become more difficult to evaluate accurately. Enter **BotSense** — a powerful new feature in ActiveCampaign that helps distinguish real user interaction from automated bot activity by filtering out false opens and clicks in your email report metrics.
=== Introduction ===
In the realm of digital marketing, understanding engagement metrics is crucial for assessing the performance of campaigns. However, '''bot clicks'''—clicks initiated by machines rather than human users—can skew your analytics. These clicks often arise from automated processes such as antivirus scans or link checkers, which can significantly inflate click metrics and obscure genuine human engagement.


Launched as part of the ActiveCampaign [[2024 Release Notes]], **BotSense** empowers marketers and sales teams by improving the accuracy of analytics across campaign and automation reporting. By automatically excluding bot-generated interactions, marketers get a more reliable picture of actual customer behavior, enabling better personalization and conversion strategies.
BotSense offers a solution by allowing you to detect and filter out these bot activities from your reporting, thereby delivering a more accurate representation of how your audience interacts with your content.


Available to all customers on **Pro** and **Enterprise** plans as of September 30, 2024, **BotSense** represents a significant upgrade to the platform’s email reporting infrastructure.
=== How to Access This Feature ===
To access the '''BotSense''' feature, follow these steps:
1. Log in to your ActiveCampaign account.
2. In the left menu, click on '''Settings''', then select '''Advanced'''.
3. Here, you will find the '''BotSense''' option.


== How to Access BotSense ==
=== Step-by-Step Instructions ===
Enabling or disabling BotSense is straightforward:


**BotSense** is integrated into the Reporting system of ActiveCampaign and is available to all eligible plan holders. You do not need to install or enable any separate tools to access it.
# Navigate to '''Settings''' > '''Advanced'''.
# Click on '''BotSense'''.
# You will see the '''Bot clicks and opens (non-MPP)''' dropdown. Choose one of the following options:
  * **Filtered out (enabled)**: This setting will activate the filter to remove bot click and open activity from your reports.
  * **Not filtered (disabled)**: Selecting this option will turn off BotSense, meaning bot activity will not be filtered out.
# Click the '''Save Settings''' button at the top right corner. Once saved, BotSense will automatically apply across all reporting, segments, and automations.


To use **BotSense**, make sure your ActiveCampaign account is on either a **Pro** or **Enterprise** plan. The feature is applied within the **Reports** section of your dashboard and includes a simple configuration to enable or disable the filtering.
=== Configuration Options and Settings ===
The functionality of '''BotSense''' is governed by a few key settings:
- The default state for BotSense is '''Not filtered'''. You can change this to '''Filtered out''' to activate bot filtering.
- BotSense settings are account-wide, meaning they will affect all data within your ActiveCampaign account and will take effect immediately upon saving.
- Note that BotSense settings will not retroactively change data already captured prior to enabling the feature.


== Step-by-Step Instructions ==
=== Best Practices and Tips ===
To maximize the effectiveness of the '''BotSense''' feature, consider the following best practices:
- Regularly monitor your analytics to identify any irregularities in click data. Once BotSense is enabled, keep an eye on the overall engagement metrics to see the difference in accuracy.
- Ensure only users in the admin group have permission to toggle BotSense settings, preventing unintentional changes.
- Understand the implications of enabling BotSense on your reporting. While it helps improve data accuracy, it may also slightly reduce click metrics due to eliminated bot activities.


=== Step 1: Navigate to Reporting ===
=== Common Use Cases with Examples ===
- **Email Marketing Campaign Performance**: By enabling BotSense, a company can ensure that their reported engagement metrics reflect actual customer interactions rather than artificial spikes attributed to bots.
- **Segmentation Accuracy**: When filtering bot clicks, marketers can create more precise segments like "has clicked" or "has not clicked," ensuring that these segments are based on verified human interactions.


1. Log into your ActiveCampaign account.
=== Troubleshooting ===
2. From the left-hand navigation menu, go to **Reports**.
If you encounter issues with '''BotSense''', consider the following troubleshooting guidelines:
3. Choose any report that includes email open or click data, such as campaign performance, automation reports, or individual message analytics.
- Ensure you have administrative privileges to modify the BotSense settings.
- If BotSense does not appear to be functioning as expected after enabling, check if the settings were saved correctly.
- Consider reaching out to ActiveCampaign support or reviewing the related article: [Why does my campaign have so many link clicks?](https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/360021819560-Why-does-my-campaign-have-so-many-link-clicks-) for further insights.


=== Step 2: Enable BotSense ===
=== Related Features ===
It is also beneficial to be aware of how BotSense interacts with other ActiveCampaign features:
- **Reports**: Clicks and opens filtered by BotSense will not reflect bot activities.
- **Segments**: Segments based on click and open actions will exclude bot data, ensuring more relevant targeting.
- **Automations**: Automation triggers based on clicks will not include bot-related interactions.


1. Locate the **Bot Detection** setting within your chosen report.
=== FAQ ===
2. Select the dropdown labeled **Bot Detection**.
# What is BotSense?
3. Choose the option to **Enable** or **Disable** bot filtering. By default, the setting may be **Disabled**, depending on your account history.
'''BotSense''' is a feature that filters out click activity generated by bots to improve reporting accuracy.
4. Once you enable filtering, your metrics will automatically recalculate to exclude suspected bot data.


=== Step 3: Review Filtered Metrics ===
# How do I enable BotSense?
To enable '''BotSense''': Navigate to '''Settings''' > '''Advanced''' > '''BotSense''', then select the filtering option and click '''Save Settings'''.


Once enabled, the reports you view will automatically exclude the following:
# What happens if I leave BotSense set to Not filtered?
- Bot-generated **email opens**
If you leave BotSense set to '''Not filtered''', bot clicks and opens will not be removed from your analytics, potentially skewing your data.
- Bot-generated **link clicks**


You’re now seeing cleaner, more accurate results reflecting authentic human engagement.
# Is BotSense available for all ActiveCampaign plans?
No, '''BotSense''' is only available for Pro and Enterprise plans.


== Configuration Options and Settings ==
# Can bot click filtering affect my email segmentation?
Yes, enabling '''BotSense''' will ensure that segmentation based on clicks and opens reflects only real user activity.


The primary configuration UI for **BotSense** is streamlined and accessible directly from the **Reports** interface. Options available:
# Are there any limitations related to enabling BotSense?
Currently, BotSense settings apply account-wide, and once enabled, they take effect for future reporting without retroactive changes.  


* '''Bot Detection''' — A dropdown menu with two values:
# Where can I learn more about email analytics in ActiveCampaign?
  - **Enabled** – Activates bot filtering across all reporting views.
For more information on email analytics, consult the related articles and documentation available on the ActiveCampaign support site.
  - **Disabled** – Maintains all recorded activity, including bot clicks/opens.


Changes made to this configuration are applied **immediately** across all metrics and related reporting.
By implementing '''BotSense''', marketers can ensure more reliable data, leading to better decision-making and performance assessments in their email campaigns.
 
```
There are no additional fields or advanced bot rule customizations at this time, ensuring simplicity in implementation and use.
 
== Best Practices and Tips ==
 
To get the most out of **BotSense**, consider the following best practices:
 
* **Always enable Bot Detection for high-volume campaigns**: When sending emails to large lists, even a small percentage of false interactions can distort metrics. Enabling **Bot Detection** ensures clean, meaningful data.
* **Use with automation triggers wisely**: If you rely on **email opens** or **link clicks** to enter contacts into automations, enabling **BotSense** helps ensure only real user behavior triggers those flows.
* **Monitor performance fluctuations**: Expect lower total counts in reports once **Bot Detection** is enabled. This is a good thing — it means your observations are closer to reality.
* **Align with your sales funnel**: For businesses with long or complex sales cycles, filtering out bots allows teams to focus on authentic leads and optimize conversion strategies.
* **Refine segmentation strategies**: Reliable engagement data is key to accurate segmentation. With bot activity removed, your criteria for engagement-based segments will be significantly more precise.
 
== Common Use Cases and Examples ==
 
=== Example 1: Email Campaign Performance Tracking ===
A SaaS company sends weekly product updates and relies on metrics to refine its messaging. Previously, inflated **click-through rates** were misleading. With **BotSense**, marketers can now confidently assess which messages resonate, leading to better email copy and improved A/B test fidelity.
 
=== Example 2: Lead Qualification for Long Sales Cycles ===
A B2B company with a 6-month sales funnel was manually qualifying leads based on link engagement. By enabling **Bot Detection**, they could filter out non-human interaction, helping sales teams focus on leads with genuine interest.
 
=== Example 3: Re-engagement Campaigns ===
A retail brand launched a win-back campaign based on user inactivity. Without **BotSense**, a recipient's open tracked by a spam filter could have removed them from the follow-up sequence. With bot filtering turned on, the sequence continued uninterrupted, guided only by authentic user engagement.
 
== Troubleshooting ==
 
While **BotSense** is designed to work seamlessly, here are a few potential challenges and how to address them:
 
=== My report metrics dropped after enabling Bot Detection ===
 
This is expected behavior. Bots often artificially inflate engagement metrics. A drop in numbers typically indicates that your data is now more reflective of actual customer behavior.
 
=== I can’t find the Bot Detection setting ===
 
Ensure your account is on the **Pro** or **Enterprise** plan. This feature is not available on **Starter** or **Plus** plans. If you're eligible but still don't see the setting, try refreshing your Reports view or contacting ActiveCampaign Support.
 
=== My automation isn’t triggering as expected ===
 
If your automation relies on **email opens** or **click events**, enabling **Bot Detection** might prevent bots from triggering those flows. Review your trigger criteria and determine if a behavior-based or time-based trigger may be more appropriate.
 
== Related Features ==
 
**BotSense** works directly within ActiveCampaign’s reporting infrastructure. While it filters out data, it does not change automation behavior unless your automation is dependent upon click/open metrics.
 
To extend your understanding and effectiveness with **BotSense**, refer to the following help articles:
 
* [[2024 Release Notes]]
* [[ActiveCampaign Release Notes]]
* [https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/15951491135004-Filter-out-bot-clicks-with-ActiveCampaign-s-BotSense Filter out bot clicks with ActiveCampaign’s BotSense]
* [https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/10000947914268 Filter suspected bot clicks within reports]
* [https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/360021819560 Why does my campaign have so many link clicks?]
* [https://www.activecampaign.com/blog/bot-clicks 5 Effective Strategies to Handle Bot Clicks in Email Marketing]
 
== FAQ ==
 
=== 1. What is BotSense in ActiveCampaign? ===
**BotSense** is a reporting filter feature that removes bot-generated open and click data from your email campaign reports, enabling a more accurate reflection of real user engagement.
 
=== 2. Who has access to BotSense? ===
All customers on **Pro** and **Enterprise** plans as of September 30, 2024, have access to **BotSense**.
 
=== 3. How do I enable or disable BotSense? ===
Navigate to any relevant report in your ActiveCampaign dashboard. In the **Bot Detection** dropdown, select **Enabled** to filter out bot interactions or **Disabled** to include all data.
 
=== 4. Will enabling Bot Detection affect automation behavior? ===
Only if your automation is triggered by **email opens** or **link clicks**. BotSense may prevent bots from triggering those activities, potentially reducing false leads entering your flows.
 
=== 5. Why did my email opens and clicks decrease after enabling BotSense? ===
This is a sign that your reporting is now filtering out inauthentic traffic. Lower numbers indicate more accurate measurement, not reduced engagement.
 
=== 6. Can I customize what BotSense considers a bot? ===
Currently, **BotSense** is a toggle feature that applies standardized detection criteria managed by ActiveCampaign. Custom bot rules are not available at this time.
 
=== 7. Is BotSense retroactive on historical data? ===
No, **Bot Detection** only affects reporting metrics from the point it is enabled onward. Historical data will reflect the settings active at the time those metrics were generated.
 
== Summary ==
 
**BotSense** is a major advancement for marketers seeking clarity in their performance data. By intelligently filtering out bot activity from engagement metrics, teams can execute smarter strategies based on reliable insights. Whether refining segmentation, improving lead qualification, or simply reporting success with confidence, **BotSense** enhances every data-driven decision within ActiveCampaign.

Revision as of 08:13, 3 November 2025

``` Navigation: Main_Page > Reports > Advanced > BotSense

Filter Out Bot Clicks with ActiveCampaign's BotSense

ActiveCampaign's BotSense feature is an essential tool for marketers seeking to enhance their email reporting accuracy by filtering out unwanted bot click activity. This article will explore what bot clicks are, how BotSense works, and provide detailed instructions on how to access and configure this feature.

Introduction

In the realm of digital marketing, understanding engagement metrics is crucial for assessing the performance of campaigns. However, bot clicks—clicks initiated by machines rather than human users—can skew your analytics. These clicks often arise from automated processes such as antivirus scans or link checkers, which can significantly inflate click metrics and obscure genuine human engagement.

BotSense offers a solution by allowing you to detect and filter out these bot activities from your reporting, thereby delivering a more accurate representation of how your audience interacts with your content.

How to Access This Feature

To access the BotSense feature, follow these steps: 1. Log in to your ActiveCampaign account. 2. In the left menu, click on Settings, then select Advanced. 3. Here, you will find the BotSense option.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Enabling or disabling BotSense is straightforward:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Advanced.
  2. Click on BotSense.
  3. You will see the Bot clicks and opens (non-MPP) dropdown. Choose one of the following options:
  * **Filtered out (enabled)**: This setting will activate the filter to remove bot click and open activity from your reports.
  * **Not filtered (disabled)**: Selecting this option will turn off BotSense, meaning bot activity will not be filtered out.
  1. Click the Save Settings button at the top right corner. Once saved, BotSense will automatically apply across all reporting, segments, and automations.

Configuration Options and Settings

The functionality of BotSense is governed by a few key settings: - The default state for BotSense is Not filtered. You can change this to Filtered out to activate bot filtering. - BotSense settings are account-wide, meaning they will affect all data within your ActiveCampaign account and will take effect immediately upon saving. - Note that BotSense settings will not retroactively change data already captured prior to enabling the feature.

Best Practices and Tips

To maximize the effectiveness of the BotSense feature, consider the following best practices: - Regularly monitor your analytics to identify any irregularities in click data. Once BotSense is enabled, keep an eye on the overall engagement metrics to see the difference in accuracy. - Ensure only users in the admin group have permission to toggle BotSense settings, preventing unintentional changes. - Understand the implications of enabling BotSense on your reporting. While it helps improve data accuracy, it may also slightly reduce click metrics due to eliminated bot activities.

Common Use Cases with Examples

- **Email Marketing Campaign Performance**: By enabling BotSense, a company can ensure that their reported engagement metrics reflect actual customer interactions rather than artificial spikes attributed to bots. - **Segmentation Accuracy**: When filtering bot clicks, marketers can create more precise segments like "has clicked" or "has not clicked," ensuring that these segments are based on verified human interactions.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with BotSense, consider the following troubleshooting guidelines: - Ensure you have administrative privileges to modify the BotSense settings. - If BotSense does not appear to be functioning as expected after enabling, check if the settings were saved correctly. - Consider reaching out to ActiveCampaign support or reviewing the related article: [Why does my campaign have so many link clicks?](https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/360021819560-Why-does-my-campaign-have-so-many-link-clicks-) for further insights.

Related Features

It is also beneficial to be aware of how BotSense interacts with other ActiveCampaign features: - **Reports**: Clicks and opens filtered by BotSense will not reflect bot activities. - **Segments**: Segments based on click and open actions will exclude bot data, ensuring more relevant targeting. - **Automations**: Automation triggers based on clicks will not include bot-related interactions.

FAQ

  1. What is BotSense?

BotSense is a feature that filters out click activity generated by bots to improve reporting accuracy.

  1. How do I enable BotSense?

To enable BotSense: Navigate to Settings > Advanced > BotSense, then select the filtering option and click Save Settings.

  1. What happens if I leave BotSense set to Not filtered?

If you leave BotSense set to Not filtered, bot clicks and opens will not be removed from your analytics, potentially skewing your data.

  1. Is BotSense available for all ActiveCampaign plans?

No, BotSense is only available for Pro and Enterprise plans.

  1. Can bot click filtering affect my email segmentation?

Yes, enabling BotSense will ensure that segmentation based on clicks and opens reflects only real user activity.

  1. Are there any limitations related to enabling BotSense?

Currently, BotSense settings apply account-wide, and once enabled, they take effect for future reporting without retroactive changes.

  1. Where can I learn more about email analytics in ActiveCampaign?

For more information on email analytics, consult the related articles and documentation available on the ActiveCampaign support site.

By implementing BotSense, marketers can ensure more reliable data, leading to better decision-making and performance assessments in their email campaigns. ```

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