This is a very short post. I have just two very simple, but reasonably powerful questions to ask. But first, some context for those who – for whatever reason – have never heard of CAPTCHA. According to their web site:
A CAPTCHA is a program that protects websites against bots by generating and grading tests that humans can pass but current computer programs cannot. For example, humans can read distorted text as the one shown below, but current computer programs can’t. The term CAPTCHA (for Completely Automated Public Turing Test To Tell Computers and Humans Apart) was coined in 2000 by Luis von Ahn, Manuel Blum, Nicholas Hopper and John Langford of Carnegie Mellon University.
Okay. So here are my two very simple questions, along with a Call To Action at the end. If you agree with me, please share this post with a few friends so we can put a stop to this nonsense.
Question #1: Why are we as site owners, companies and developers, still using a system that is clearly flawed, one that is the equivalent of making it difficult if not impossible for some of us to prove that we are human, just to do business with the site using RECAPTCHA?
I present to you, Exhibit A, courtesy of a very established brand, Linkedin:
Why, Linkedin? Why?
Question #2: Why would anyone – particularly a company worth $3 BILLION – knowingly deploy a clearly flawed technology that is actually serving as a BARRIER to converting visitors into new customers and signups when far simpler tests currently exist to determine that we are humans and not “bots”?
Exhibit B – Courtesy of Toggl, a web-based time tracking application, with perhaps $3 BILLION less than Linkedin available for investing in R&D and site development:
Exhibit C: Simple Math
Call to Action
It’s time that we as Humans take a stand against those who are asking us to do business with them, while at the same time throwing land mines at us and telling us to go away.
It’s time for brands to stop using reCAPTCHA; and for reCAPTCHA to go the way of the DoDo bird.
Simplicity has won and you have lost. We are taking our Time, our Attention and our Money, to sites that understand what you so clearly do not – that you don’t have to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
About Adam Boettiger