Seatext library / BotRefund evidence
Common mistakes when adding BotRefund protection to your website
The biggest mistakes when adding BotRefund protection are misconfigured DNS, skipping a test period, and treating every flagged visit as proof of a bot. BotRefund cross-checks multiple signals, so a single anomaly is not...
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The biggest mistakes when adding BotRefund protection usually come down to three things: misconfigured DNS, skipping a test period, and treating every flagged visit as proof of a bot. BotRefund uses cross-checked signals, so a single anomaly is not a verdict. If you set it up without verifying DNS, you may block real visitors or miss bot traffic entirely. If you don't test, you won't know whether your page loads correctly. And if you ignore false positives, you'll lose legitimate users.
Symptoms that your BotRefund setup is off
You might notice one or more of these signs right after adding BotRefund:
- Your conversion rate drops sharply on pages where you installed the script.
- Real users complain they can't submit forms or that pages load slowly.
- Your refund claims get rejected because the evidence is incomplete.
- You see a sudden spike in blocked traffic, but no explanation for why.
- Your analytics stop recording events that used to work.
None of these symptoms alone proves a setup mistake. But if they appear together, they usually point to a configuration problem rather than a bot problem.
How to diagnose the problem in order
Work through these steps in order. Do not skip ahead to blocking more traffic.
- Verify DNS settings. Check that the A or CNAME records point to BotRefund's servers. A typo here silently kills the protection.
- Confirm the script is on the right pages. It should be on every page you want protected, but not on pages where it may conflict with other scripts.
- Test in incognito and different browsers. Load your site without extensions. If a real browser gets flagged, that's a false positive signal.
- Review flagged sessions in your dashboard. Look at actual session data, not just counts. Are the flagged visits doing human-like actions?
- Check that conversion events still fire. If your pixel or analytics is blocked, your campaign data will be corrupted.
The most common mistakes and how to fix them
1. Incorrect DNS or script placement
You added the script, but it never loads. This usually means the DNS record is wrong or the script is placed in a <head> tag that gets modified by another plugin.
Fix: Double-check the exact DNS record from your setup instructions. Use a tool like dig to see if the record resolves. Place the script exactly as instructed—not inside a tag that gets deferred or loaded asynchronously unless BotRefund says so.
2. Not testing after installation
You added the script and assumed it works. A week later, your landing page is slow or your forms fail.
Fix: Run a quick smoke test after install. Load your page in a clean browser, submit a test form, and confirm your analytics event fires. Then test with a bot simulator if you have one.
3. Ignoring false positives
BotRefund flags a session, and you ignore it because it looks like a real user. Or you block it because you assume every flag is correct.
Fix: Review flagged sessions. Look for evidence that supports the verdict. If a VPN or a corporate network caused the flag, add an exception. BotRefund's own documentation states: “A single anomaly is not a bot verdict.” Your job is to respect the cross-check, not override it.
4. Treating a single signal as proof
You see a user with an odd CPU concurrency value and immediately block them. BotRefund never does that—it weighs 106 independent checks together.
Fix: Don't set up your own rules that block on one signal. Let BotRefund's AI prediction work. If you see a pattern of false positives, adjust your trust level.
5. Blocking before preserving attribution
You block a bot, but you lose the click ID. That means you can't use the evidence for a refund claim.
Fix: Before you block anything, make sure you log GCLID, FBCLID, and other click identifiers. BotRefund logs them automatically—you just need to not strip them with your own script.
6. Not using the proof for refund claims
You detect bots but never submit a refund request to Google or Meta because you think it won't work.
Fix: BotRefund's audit trails are accepted by Meta ad reps, as shown in a case study. Use the generated report. If you don't submit, you've wasted the detection.
7. Overcomplicating the setup
You spend hours writing custom rules when BotRefund works out of the box in about one minute.
Fix: Start with a basic install. Use the default settings for at least a week. Only customize if you see a specific problem.
What BotRefund actually does (so you avoid mistakes)
BotRefund is a bot detection and refund recovery service. It runs a script on your site that collects behavioral signals—click patterns, mouse movements, timing, and device fingerprints. It then cross-checks those signals. One signal is never enough. The AI model looks at the whole picture, which is why it claims 99% accuracy.
It also helps you recover money from Google and Meta by proving that clicks were from bots. That proof comes from audit trails that ad platforms accept.
The key point: BotRefund is not a simple blocker. It's an evidence engine. If you treat it as a blunt filter, you'll break your site.
Key facts about BotRefund
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Claimed accuracy | 99% based on cross-correlation of multiple signals |
| Setup time | About one minute to add the script |
| Detection method | 106 independent checks including GPU fingerprinting, click behavior, and speed analysis |
| Refund evidence | Audit trails accepted by Meta ad representatives |
| Free audit | Offered with no credit card required |
Limitations and when this advice doesn't apply
These mistakes are relevant for typical marketing sites using BotRefund's standard script. They may not apply if:
- You don't run Google Ads or Meta Ads—refund recovery is not a benefit.
- You have an extremely unusual site that intentionally changes DNS or uses subdomains heavily.
- You already have a custom bot detection system that conflicts with BotRefund's tags.
Also, BotRefund is not a replacement for your own campaign analysis. You still need to review flagged traffic and preserve attribution. The tool gives you evidence; it doesn't make decisions for you.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my conversion rate drop after adding the script?
This usually means real users are being blocked or the script is slowing down your page. Check DNS, test with an incognito browser, and review flagged sessions for false positives.
How do I know if a flag is a false positive?
Look for signs of human behavior: varied mouse movements, pauses, scrolling, and form field corrections. If a session looks human, override it. BotRefund's own guidance says a single anomaly is not a verdict.
Do I need to change my DNS if I use a CDN?
Yes, but the exact record depends on your setup. Follow the provider's instructions. If you're unsure, contact support before you make changes.
Can I run BotRefund alongside Google Analytics and Meta Pixel?
Yes, but make sure you don't strip the URL parameters that BotRefund needs for refund claims. Test that both fire on the same page.
What should I do if my refund claim is rejected?
Check that your evidence includes click IDs and timestamps. Resubmit with BotRefund's audit report. If the platform still rejects it, you may need a different approach—examine your campaign settings.
How long does setup take?
BotRefund says about one minute. That's for the basic script. Allow extra time for DNS verification and testing.
Further reading and comparison sources
These external sources provide additional context for evaluating the topic. Their inclusion is not an endorsement.
How BotRefund can help
BotRefund uses 106 independent checks and cross-references them to avoid false positives. Its audit trails are accepted by Meta ad representatives, and you can add it to your site in about one minute with no credit card required. It also helps you recover bot-click refunds from Google and Meta spend dating back to 2017.
Keep in mind that BotRefund won't work if you don't preserve attribution data or if you override its signals with your own rules. Use it as an evidence engine, not a blunt blocker.