Just what I needed! – [Anti-spam, Spam protection, ReCaptcha for all forms and GDPR-compliant] Review

I use Thrive Architect on many websites, but for a recaptcha tool, it was Google reCaptcha or nothing. I used Google reCaptcha v2 and v3 for years but ultimately bailed on Google’s reCaptcha service because it invariably blocked legitimate submissions. My clients would contact me asking why they hadn’t seen contact form submissions in a while. When I tested a submission, I found mine was also blocked. And this was all well before the 2024 Google/Yahoo Email Sender Guidelines made the scene.

I came across the “GDPR-Compliant ReCaptcha for all Forms” plugin, and it seemed too good to be true. I couldn’t believe there was one that would work with Thrive Architect. I tried it out, and it immediately started blocking spam form submissions, but not my own. However, it started causing other issues, such as my inability to manage my websites from my ManageWP dashboard. Plus, a few other things were not working either. However, all of the issues mentioned here were user error.

If I had paid more attention to Matthias in his intro video, I would have used the plugin in “Explicit” mode and identified the exact action (associated with form submission) and had the plugin only targeting that action. With Matthias’ generous help, I configured the plugin correctly (it was easy), and now automated spam submissions are stopped in their tracks, and everything else is working fine. A+

Bless you Matthias for creating this sorely needed plugin – and making it available for free!

Don