Every time we send an email campaign to our Klaviyo list(s), we immediately see a giant spike in traffic to our website. We have several tools that all show spikes and log what they are reporting as visitors and sessions, perfectly coinciding with the campaign being sent from Klaviyo.
Google Analytics GA4, GoSquared (showing real time traffic spikes into the thousands per second while the blast is being sent), Lucky Orange and Hotjar (session recording tools) will all show these spikes.
These traffic spikes are screwing up our analytics in multiple ways: (a) showing a lot more traffic on a day that we send an email blast that isnt’ ‘real’ traffic, (b) using up valuable session counts that we’re charged for from tools like Lucky Orange and LogRocket, etc.
It’s obvious something in the email campaign (a URL) is being hit or checked by something (or thousands of somethings) as the email is sending. We have various links to our site in the email campaign.
We read a generic article about UTM tagging and links being checked by bots - but how do we stop this or minimize it?
Now, the issue with the bots has to be controlled before sending the email. Once the email is sent then there's little to do. And sadly to detect and segment bots you have to send campaigns.
We have used segmentation in the past to detect and exclude bots by their behavior, but this can only go so far.
There's another method we are using to detect bots that consists in including a hidden link that can't be clicked or even seen by humans but is in the email nevertheless, these links can be seen by bots and any profile that report clicks on that link is 100% a bot. But this is not also 100% accurate to detect malicious bots.
Let me elaborate on that last part. Sometimes legit recipients might have a security measure in their email provider that could be opening their email and checking all the links for them before they actually open them (sort of like how the Apple Privacy Policy works), which might paint someone as a bot when they are not truly bots.
So sadly there's not a 100% sure way to prevent this but we sure can mitigate things by segmentation contacts that have clicked on hidden/specific link and excluding that segment when you send a campaign.
Now, the issue with the bots has to be controlled before sending the email. Once the email is sent then there's little to do. And sadly to detect and segment bots you have to send campaigns.
We have used segmentation in the past to detect and exclude bots by their behavior, but this can only go so far.
There's another method we are using to detect bots that consists in including a hidden link that can't be clicked or even seen by humans but is in the email nevertheless, these links can be seen by bots and any profile that report clicks on that link is 100% a bot. But this is not also 100% accurate to detect malicious bots.
Let me elaborate on that last part. Sometimes legit recipients might have a security measure in their email provider that could be opening their email and checking all the links for them before they actually open them (sort of like how the Apple Privacy Policy works), which might paint someone as a bot when they are not truly bots.
So sadly there's not a 100% sure way to prevent this but we sure can mitigate things by segmentation contacts that have clicked on hidden/specific link and excluding that segment when you send a campaign.
By clicking “Accept All Cookies,” you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Privacy Preference Center
Your Privacy
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Performance Cookies
Functional Cookies
Targeting Cookies
Site Analytics
Your Privacy
When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Privacy Notice
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Always Active
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Site Analytics
These cookies record your visit to our website, and are used to track your visit including information such as: web page interactions (clicks, hovers, focus, mouse movements, browsing, zooms and other interactions), referring web page/source through which you accessed the Sites, heatmaps and scrolls, screen resolution, ISP, and statistics associated with the interaction between device or browser and the Sites. If you are accessing our Services with a European IP address, you have been asked to consent to the use of these cookies (you are free to deny your consent).