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'''Navigation:''' [[Main_Page]] > [[ActiveCampaign Release Notes]] > [[2024 Release Notes]] > BotSense
```mediawiki
'''Navigation:''' [[Main_Page]] > [[Settings]] > [[Advanced]] > BotSense


= Introducing BotSense =
== Filter out bot clicks with ActiveCampaign's BotSense ==


== Introduction ==
=== Introduction ===
ActiveCampaign's '''BotSense''' feature is an important tool that allows you to filter out bot click activity from your email analytics. Understanding what bot clicks are and having the ability to manage them effectively is critical for marketers who depend on accurate data reporting. Bot clicks, which are automated interactions from non-human sources, can distort your engagement metrics, making it challenging to gauge true customer interactions with your campaigns. By utilizing '''BotSense''', you ensure cleaner, more reliable data that reflects genuine user interest.


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.
=== How to Access This Feature ===
To access the '''BotSense''' feature, you must have an ActiveCampaign account with the necessary permissions. Only users in the admin group can enable or disable BotSense. Follow these steps to locate the feature:
1. Click on '''Settings''' in the left menu.
2. Navigate to '''Advanced'''.
3. Select '''BotSense''' from the options provided.


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.
=== Step-by-Step Instructions ===
To effectively enable or disable BotSense, follow these detailed steps:


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.
# Click '''Settings''' > '''Advanced''' on the left menu.
# Click '''BotSense'''.
# In the '''Bot clicks and opens (non-MPP)''' dropdown, select one of the following options:
  ## '''Filtered out (enabled)'''
  * This will filter out bot click and open activity for your ActiveCampaign account.
  ## '''Not filtered (disabled)'''
  * Selecting this option turns BotSense off, meaning bot clicks and opens will not be filtered.
# Click the '''Save Settings''' button located at the top right. Once saved, the BotSense setting will automatically apply across reporting, segments, and automations in your account.


== How to Access BotSense ==
=== Configuration Options and Settings ===
Understanding the configuration options within '''BotSense''' is crucial for effective utilization:


**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.
- '''Filtered out (enabled)''': This option will actively filter out bot-clicks and opens to ensure that only genuine user interactions are counted in your analytics.
 
- '''Not filtered (disabled)''': By selecting this, you turn off the filtering, which means your reports will include potential bot clicks and opens, leading to potentially inaccurate data.


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.
Once the setting is modified and saved, it will apply throughout your entire ActiveCampaign account for all related features.


== Step-by-Step Instructions ==
=== Best Practices and Tips ===
Utilizing BotSense can significantly enhance the quality of your marketing analytics. Here are some best practices to consider:


=== Step 1: Navigate to Reporting ===
- **Regularly Review Settings**: Periodically check the '''BotSense''' settings to ensure they align with your reporting needs.
 
- **Combine with Other Analytics Tools**: Pairing BotSense data with other analytics tools may provide even deeper insights about traffic sources and user behavior.
 
- **Monitor Reports**: After enabling BotSense, keep an eye on your reports to notice any significant changes in engagement metrics. This will help you assess the impact of filtering out bot activity.


1. Log into your ActiveCampaign account.
- **Educate your team**: Make sure your team understands what bot clicks are and why it's important to filter them for more accurate reporting.
2. From the left-hand navigation menu, go to **Reports**.
3. Choose any report that includes email open or click data, such as campaign performance, automation reports, or individual message analytics.


=== Step 2: Enable BotSense ===
=== Common Use Cases with Examples ===
Here are several scenarios where implementing '''BotSense''' would be beneficial:


1. Locate the **Bot Detection** setting within your chosen report.
- **Improving Campaign Effectiveness**: If a high percentage of clicks in your email campaigns appear to be from bots, using BotSense will give you a clearer picture of actual engagement and help refine your campaign strategies.
2. Select the dropdown labeled **Bot Detection**.
3. Choose the option to **Enable** or **Disable** bot filtering. By default, the setting may be **Disabled**, depending on your account history.
4. Once you enable filtering, your metrics will automatically recalculate to exclude suspected bot data.


=== Step 3: Review Filtered Metrics ===
- **Data Cleanliness**: When preparing reports for stakeholders, filtering out bot clicks helps to present data that accurately reflects user interactions, allowing for better business decisions based on this data.


Once enabled, the reports you view will automatically exclude the following:
- **Adjusting Targeting**: By using the insights derived from BotSense, you can better segment your audience based on actual user behavior rather than automated interactions.
- Bot-generated **email opens**
- Bot-generated **link clicks**


You’re now seeing cleaner, more accurate results reflecting authentic human engagement.
=== Troubleshooting Section ===
If you encounter issues with '''BotSense''', consider the following troubleshooting tips:


== Configuration Options and Settings ==
- **Check User Permissions**: Ensure that you are logged in with an admin account; only admin users have the ability to change BotSense settings.


The primary configuration UI for **BotSense** is streamlined and accessible directly from the **Reports** interface. Options available:
- **Settings Not Applying**: If your changes don't seem to take effect, try logging out and back in or clearing your browser cache.


* '''Bot Detection''' — A dropdown menu with two values:
- **Data Discrepancies**: If data still appears inaccurate after enabling '''BotSense''', it may be beneficial to compare it with other analytical tools to verify the findings.
  - **Enabled** – Activates bot filtering across all reporting views.
  - **Disabled** – Maintains all recorded activity, including bot clicks/opens.


Changes made to this configuration are applied **immediately** across all metrics and related reporting.
=== Related Features ===
Some features impacted by '''BotSense''' include:


There are no additional fields or advanced bot rule customizations at this time, ensuring simplicity in implementation and use.
- **Reports**: Bot clicks and opens will be filtered out of your reporting metrics.
 
- **Segments**: Segments that utilize '''has opened/has not opened''' or '''has clicked/has not clicked''' will be cleaned of bot interactions.


== Best Practices and Tips ==
- **Automations**: Automations triggered by clicks or opens will not include data from bot activities.


To get the most out of **BotSense**, consider the following best practices:
- **Campaigns**: The BotSense filter ensures that bot clicks do not activate any link actions within campaigns.


* **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.
=== FAQ Section ===
* **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.
'''Q1: What are bot clicks?'''
* **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.
A1: Bot clicks refer to automated actions performed by machines or software, such as antivirus scans, rather than a human clicking on links.
* **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 ==
'''Q2: Who can enable or disable BotSense?'''
A2: Only users in the admin group of your ActiveCampaign account have the permission to enable or disable BotSense.


=== Example 1: Email Campaign Performance Tracking ===
'''Q3: Will BotSense apply retroactively to past data?'''
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.
A3: No, once BotSense settings are saved, they only take effect moving forward and will not change past data in your analytics.


=== Example 2: Lead Qualification for Long Sales Cycles ===
'''Q4: How does BotSense identify bot activity?'''
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.
A4: The system uses machine learning, smart checks, and pattern recognition to determine if an interaction was from a human or a bot.


=== Example 3: Re-engagement Campaigns ===
'''Q5: What happens if I use BotSense with the beta bot click filter?'''
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.
A5: Using both features simultaneously is not recommended. The beta filter will be hidden once BotSense is enabled to prevent conflicts.


== Troubleshooting ==
'''Q6: How does BotSense affect my reporting?'''
A6: When enabled, BotSense ensures that bot-related clicks are filtered out, providing a clearer picture of actual user engagement metrics.


While **BotSense** is designed to work seamlessly, here are a few potential challenges and how to address them:
'''Q7: Can I toggle BotSense on and off for different reports?'''
A7: No, the setting applies to your entire ActiveCampaign account; it cannot be adjusted on a per-report basis.


=== My report metrics dropped after enabling Bot Detection ===
By leveraging '''BotSense''', you can significantly improve the accuracy of your email analytics and make better-informed marketing decisions.
 
```
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.

Latest revision as of 10:18, 3 November 2025

```mediawiki Navigation: Main_Page > Settings > Advanced > BotSense

Filter out bot clicks with ActiveCampaign's BotSense[edit | edit source]

Introduction[edit | edit source]

ActiveCampaign's BotSense feature is an important tool that allows you to filter out bot click activity from your email analytics. Understanding what bot clicks are and having the ability to manage them effectively is critical for marketers who depend on accurate data reporting. Bot clicks, which are automated interactions from non-human sources, can distort your engagement metrics, making it challenging to gauge true customer interactions with your campaigns. By utilizing BotSense, you ensure cleaner, more reliable data that reflects genuine user interest.

How to Access This Feature[edit | edit source]

To access the BotSense feature, you must have an ActiveCampaign account with the necessary permissions. Only users in the admin group can enable or disable BotSense. Follow these steps to locate the feature: 1. Click on Settings in the left menu. 2. Navigate to Advanced. 3. Select BotSense from the options provided.

Step-by-Step Instructions[edit | edit source]

To effectively enable or disable BotSense, follow these detailed steps:

  1. Click Settings > Advanced on the left menu.
  2. Click BotSense.
  3. In the Bot clicks and opens (non-MPP) dropdown, select one of the following options:
  ## Filtered out (enabled)
  * This will filter out bot click and open activity for your ActiveCampaign account.
  ## Not filtered (disabled)
  * Selecting this option turns BotSense off, meaning bot clicks and opens will not be filtered.
  1. Click the Save Settings button located at the top right. Once saved, the BotSense setting will automatically apply across reporting, segments, and automations in your account.

Configuration Options and Settings[edit | edit source]

Understanding the configuration options within BotSense is crucial for effective utilization:

- Filtered out (enabled): This option will actively filter out bot-clicks and opens to ensure that only genuine user interactions are counted in your analytics.

- Not filtered (disabled): By selecting this, you turn off the filtering, which means your reports will include potential bot clicks and opens, leading to potentially inaccurate data.

Once the setting is modified and saved, it will apply throughout your entire ActiveCampaign account for all related features.

Best Practices and Tips[edit | edit source]

Utilizing BotSense can significantly enhance the quality of your marketing analytics. Here are some best practices to consider:

- **Regularly Review Settings**: Periodically check the BotSense settings to ensure they align with your reporting needs.

- **Combine with Other Analytics Tools**: Pairing BotSense data with other analytics tools may provide even deeper insights about traffic sources and user behavior.

- **Monitor Reports**: After enabling BotSense, keep an eye on your reports to notice any significant changes in engagement metrics. This will help you assess the impact of filtering out bot activity.

- **Educate your team**: Make sure your team understands what bot clicks are and why it's important to filter them for more accurate reporting.

Common Use Cases with Examples[edit | edit source]

Here are several scenarios where implementing BotSense would be beneficial:

- **Improving Campaign Effectiveness**: If a high percentage of clicks in your email campaigns appear to be from bots, using BotSense will give you a clearer picture of actual engagement and help refine your campaign strategies.

- **Data Cleanliness**: When preparing reports for stakeholders, filtering out bot clicks helps to present data that accurately reflects user interactions, allowing for better business decisions based on this data.

- **Adjusting Targeting**: By using the insights derived from BotSense, you can better segment your audience based on actual user behavior rather than automated interactions.

Troubleshooting Section[edit | edit source]

If you encounter issues with BotSense, consider the following troubleshooting tips:

- **Check User Permissions**: Ensure that you are logged in with an admin account; only admin users have the ability to change BotSense settings.

- **Settings Not Applying**: If your changes don't seem to take effect, try logging out and back in or clearing your browser cache.

- **Data Discrepancies**: If data still appears inaccurate after enabling BotSense, it may be beneficial to compare it with other analytical tools to verify the findings.

Related Features[edit | edit source]

Some features impacted by BotSense include:

- **Reports**: Bot clicks and opens will be filtered out of your reporting metrics.

- **Segments**: Segments that utilize has opened/has not opened or has clicked/has not clicked will be cleaned of bot interactions.

- **Automations**: Automations triggered by clicks or opens will not include data from bot activities.

- **Campaigns**: The BotSense filter ensures that bot clicks do not activate any link actions within campaigns.

FAQ Section[edit | edit source]

Q1: What are bot clicks? A1: Bot clicks refer to automated actions performed by machines or software, such as antivirus scans, rather than a human clicking on links.

Q2: Who can enable or disable BotSense? A2: Only users in the admin group of your ActiveCampaign account have the permission to enable or disable BotSense.

Q3: Will BotSense apply retroactively to past data? A3: No, once BotSense settings are saved, they only take effect moving forward and will not change past data in your analytics.

Q4: How does BotSense identify bot activity? A4: The system uses machine learning, smart checks, and pattern recognition to determine if an interaction was from a human or a bot.

Q5: What happens if I use BotSense with the beta bot click filter? A5: Using both features simultaneously is not recommended. The beta filter will be hidden once BotSense is enabled to prevent conflicts.

Q6: How does BotSense affect my reporting? A6: When enabled, BotSense ensures that bot-related clicks are filtered out, providing a clearer picture of actual user engagement metrics.

Q7: Can I toggle BotSense on and off for different reports? A7: No, the setting applies to your entire ActiveCampaign account; it cannot be adjusted on a per-report basis.

By leveraging BotSense, you can significantly improve the accuracy of your email analytics and make better-informed marketing decisions. ```

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