How to Prepare for a Free Bot Audit: A 7-Step Checklist

What to gather before the audit call

A free bot audit is a focused review of your website traffic and ad campaigns to find automated clicks and fake leads. To get useful results, you need to give the auditor the right information. Start with three basics: ad spend data, analytics access, and a list of your current security tools.

Most providers, including BotRefund, run the audit as a live call where they inspect your site in real time. That means you should prepare before the appointment, not during it.

Step 1: Pull your ad spend and campaign data

Bot clicks typically target paid ads because each click costs money. The auditor will want to know how much you spend on Google Ads and Meta campaigns. Gather a breakdown by campaign, ad set, and placement.

Look for unusual patterns like spikes on specific days, high clicks from one region, or a large number of clicks that never convert. Write down your monthly and annual ad spend figures. BotRefund's homepage states that bot clicks can steal up to 20% of Google and Meta ad budgets, so the auditor will use your spending to estimate exposure.

If you have already filed any refund claims, have those records available too.

Step 2: Set up analytics and server log access

The auditor needs to see behavioral data that shows how users interact with your site. Common tools include Google Analytics, server logs, and CRM data. Make sure you can log in during the call or share a read-only view.

You should also know where your site is hosted and whether you can access raw server logs. Logs reveal IP addresses, user agents, and request patterns that analytics might miss.

If you use a content management system like WordPress, have admin credentials ready. The auditor may need to add a temporary script or check existing plugins.

Step 3: List your current bot protection tools

Write down every security service you currently use. That includes CAPTCHAs, web application firewalls, bot management platforms, or even simple plugins.

Knowing what you already have helps the auditor identify gaps. For example, if a CAPTCHA is only on your login page but not on forms, a bot could still submit lead forms. Be honest about what is active and what is just installed.

BotRefund uses 106 independent checks to judge whether a visit is human or automated. If you have any tool that interacts with browser fingerprinting or behavior analysis, tell the auditor so they can factor it in.

Step 4: Decide what you want from the audit

A free bot audit is diagnostic, not a full remediation plan. Before the call, write down your top questions. For example:

• Are bots clicking my Google Ads?
• Why is my cost per lead rising but quality dropping?
• Are fake form submissions filling my CRM?
• Can I get a refund from Google or Meta for invalid clicks?

Having clear goals helps the auditor focus on the most useful data. You might also want to know if your competitors are clicking your ads. The audit can reveal suspicious patterns that point to that.

Step 5: Schedule the audit and prepare for the live call

BotRefund books a calendar invite and runs the audit live on the call. You will need a computer, a stable internet connection, and access to your site's backend. If possible, do the audit on the same device you use for ad management so you can pull up campaign data quickly.

Set aside at least 30 minutes. The auditor will likely share their screen or ask you to share yours. You should also have your ad account login ready if you need to check details during the discussion.

BotRefund says you can add their protection to your website in about one minute, but that comes after the audit, not before. The audit itself is the diagnostic step.

Step 6: Know what the audit will cover

Typical areas include:

• Click behavior – ghost clicks, robotic mouse movements, and superhuman input speed.
• Session behavior – unnatural durations or zero scrolling.
• Form submissions – fast field completion, disposable emails, repeated patterns.
• Campaign data – placement-level spikes or differences in lead quality.
• Refund potential – whether you have evidence to claim back wasted spend.

BotRefund's detection page explains that these signals are cross-checked against each other, not used as a single verdict. That means the audit will not just flag one anomaly; it will build a complete picture.

Step 7: Prepare for the refund process

If the audit finds bots, you may be able to recover money from Google or Meta. BotRefund's blog outlines a step-by-step process for a Google Ads refund request, including collecting GCLID logs and filing the investigation form.

To be ready, save all relevant click data, timestamps, and session recordings. The auditor can help you export proof logs. BotRefund says they can recover refunds from Google Ads spend dating back to 2017, so do not delete old data.

Key facts: bot traffic and refunds

These figures come from BotRefund's website and case studies. The numbers are their reported results, not a guarantee for your account.

Limitations of a free bot audit

A free audit is a snapshot, not continuous monitoring. It can show you current bot activity, but it will not stop new bots from coming. You also need to act on the findings.

The audit may not cover every aspect of bot protection, such as API abuse or mobile app traffic. If your business has complex needs, the auditor may recommend a paid plan or additional tools.

Another limit: a free audit typically focuses on your website and ad campaigns. It may not review your CRM data or email systems unless you provide them. Be ready to share what you have, but know that the audit's scope is defined by the provider.

Bot audit terms you will hear

Understanding a few terms helps you follow the auditor's findings:

• Headless browser – a browser without a graphical interface, often used by bots.
• Honeypot trap – a hidden page element that bots respond to but humans ignore.
• Ghost click – a click that occurs without natural human intent.
• Superhuman input speed – form filling faster than a person could achieve.
• Invalid traffic – clicks or visits that Google and Meta consider non-human.

You do not need to master these before the call, but knowing them will help you ask better follow-up questions.

FAQ: Preparing for a free bot audit

What if I don't have access to server logs?

That's fine. You can still get a useful audit from analytics and ad platform data. The auditor may show you how to request logs from your hosting provider if needed.

Do I need to install anything before the audit?

No. The audit is usually a review of your existing setup. After the audit, the provider may suggest adding a script or plugin, but you don't need to do that beforehand.

How long does the audit take?

Most live audits last 30 to 60 minutes. The provider may also give you a report to review after the call.

Will the audit disrupt my website traffic?

No. The audit is based on data collection and analysis, not on blocking traffic. You should not see any impact on user experience.

Can I get a refund if the audit finds bots?

Yes, you can file a claim with Google or Meta. The audit report can serve as evidence. BotRefund claims an approved rate across client refund claims and offers to negotiate on your behalf.

What if I don't run ads?

A bot audit is still useful for protecting forms, lead quality, and overall site security. Bot traffic can pollute your CRM and harm analytics even without paid campaigns.

Is my data safe during the audit?

Reputable providers will not share your data. The audit is meant to help you, not expose your information. You can ask about data handling before sharing access.