> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fetchski-attract.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Spam protection

> Google reCAPTCHA quietly checks every form and signup for bots. Turn it on in Connections with two keys from Google.

Keep bots out of every form and signup on your site with Google reCAPTCHA. It works in the background, so visitors never see a puzzle or tick a box.

 **Who can do this:** Admins and Owners.

## Protection you already have

Even with reCAPTCHA off, every form has basic protection:

* **A hidden trap field.** People never see it, but many bots fill it in. Those submissions are quietly dropped.
* **A limit on repeat sending.** One visitor can't send a form over and over. After too many tries in a short time, they see "Too many submissions. Please wait a moment and try again."

## Set up spam protection

Before you start:

* You need a Google account to create reCAPTCHA keys.
* Know your site's web address, such as `parkerspuppyplayland.example`.

**1. Open Connections**

In the toolbar, choose **Connections**. Or open the command palette (⌘K, or Ctrl+K on Windows) and choose **Connections** (T then E).

**2. Open the card**

Under **Essentials**, choose **Spam protection**. Its badge says **Off**.

![Connections open on the Spam protection card with Enable reCAPTCHA v3 on, the Setup guide — reCAPTCHA v3 keys expanded, Site key (public) filled and Secret key empty.](https://mintcdn.com/fetchski-attract-api/VHp0B0s1nBbMi7JQ/images/cms/guides/forms/spam-protection/guides-forms-spam-protection-card-light.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=VHp0B0s1nBbMi7JQ\&q=85\&s=905ca801c2c23213c599f178967566ff)

The Spam protection card with its setup guide open.

**3. Switch it on**

Turn on **Enable reCAPTCHA v3**. The rest of the card appears.

**4. Get your keys**

Open **Setup guide — reCAPTCHA v3 keys** and follow it. In Google's reCAPTCHA console, create a **Score based (v3)** key and add your site's domain.

**5. Paste the keys**

Copy Google's site key into **Site key (public)** and its secret key into **Secret key**.

**6. Save**

Choose **Save** at the top right. The secret key is now stored safely. From now on it shows as dots, with **Replace** and **Remove**.

## Choose how strict it is

Google gives each submission a score from 0.0 (almost surely a bot) to 1.0 (almost surely a person). Under **Advanced options**, **Minimum passing score** sets the lowest score that gets through.

It starts at 0.5, which suits most sites.

* Raise it, for example to 0.7, if spam still gets through.
* Lower it, for example to 0.3, if real visitors are turned away.

## What happens next

Once spam protection is saved, every form and signup on your site is checked. There's nothing to change on each form. Submissions that fail never reach your [form submissions](https://docs.fetchski-attract.com/guides/forms/form-submissions.md), your emails or your Google Sheets.

## Troubleshooting

> [accordion] Visitors see "Captcha verification failed. Please try again.
>
> Your site couldn't reach Google to check the submission. This is usually brief. Ask the visitor to try again in a moment.
>
> If it keeps happening, contact Fetchski Support.

> [accordion] Visitors see "Captcha rejected.
>
> Google scored the visitor below your **Minimum passing score**, or the keys don't match your site.
>
> In Google's reCAPTCHA console, check that your domain is listed on the key, and that the key is **Score based (v3)**. If real visitors still get this message, lower the score.

> [accordion] Visitors see "File uploads are temporarily unavailable.
>
> A form that accepts file uploads needs spam protection turned on. Follow [Set up spam protection](#set-up-spam-protection) above, and uploads work straight away.

## Related

> [card] [Build a form](https://docs.fetchski-attract.com/guides/forms/build-a-form.md)
>
> create a form and put it on a page.

> [card] [Form submissions](https://docs.fetchski-attract.com/guides/forms/form-submissions.md)
>
> read and export everything your forms collect.

> [card] [Email notifications](https://docs.fetchski-attract.com/guides/forms/email-notifications.md)
>
> get an email for every submission.

> [card] [Connections](https://docs.fetchski-attract.com/guides/connections/index.md)
>
> every outside service your site uses.


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