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Over the past few weeks I have been getting countless emails from users that have been increasingly prompted to fill out captcha forms when submitting wall posts and updating statuses. The reason for the increase is most likely because Facebook is trying to contain spammers. Unfortunately it’s making it more challenging for users to interact with the site.
When Facebook released their upgraded public profiles product, I had the same issue and reached out to Facebook about it. I heard back and was informed that it was a bug on my account and the issue was quickly resolved. If this is truly a bug then it appears that there are a lot of other users that have been affected the issue. For those of you not aware of what a captcha is, it is a form which prompts you to enter what is written in an image to prevent spammers.
After the redesign, users began reporting a substantial increase in the frequency of captcha occurrences. Previously users were prompted to enter a captcha form if they hadn’t “verified” their account. Verification is accomplished by confirming your mobile phone number. Even verified accounts are being prompted now and currently we don’t know whether it’s a bug or Facebook fighting against spam.
Regardless of the reason behind the increase, users are getting frustrated with the boxes as they are regularly prompted to enter words which are occasionally illegible. One would imagine that entering a phone number should be sufficient for verification purposes but perhaps spammers have figured out Facebook’s session handling system and are continuing to spam users’ walls.
Have you been prompted to enter captcha forms when posting on walls or updating your status?
I thought I’m the only one who annoyed with Captchas. Each time I update status with link, Captchas prompted.
This is one of the major frustrations of MySpace - nothing stifles growth and use faster than “punishing” your users with constant “verifications”.
There seems to be a correlation between heavy use and the frequency of captcha prompts.
It would be unfortunate to see Facebook take the same path as MySpace.
This is one of the must frustrating things about MySpace. Nothing stifles growth and activity among users than “punishing” them for their heavy use.
There seems to be a correlation between heavy use and the frequency of captcha prompts. It is very frustrating overall.
It would be unfortunate to see Facebook follow MySpace down this particular path.
MySpace recently added an option for users to skip captcha if they provide their phone number and agree to receive text messages from MySpace (not notifications, but potential advertisements) - no thanks. I’ll stick with captcha entries.
Yes, I have been prompted to enter captcha forms when posting on walls or updating my status. A real pain in the captcha.
ANY time I try to put a tinyurl in my status it asks for Captcha. However, if I put a tinyrul in a tweet, that’s synced to update with facebook, no problem. Ironic, that it’s easier for me to post some things on facebook if I do it from somewhere other than facebook.
yo (added by Mobile using Mippin)
I update my status via the Firefox Toolbar Extension.
How would the captcha cope with this?
No request until now, anyway
When the idea of Captcha first came up, I actually thought what a great tool to prevent spammers. But it has now become a pain even in my own site/blogs..
I watched a promotional video for “Facebook Blaster Pro” (and wanted to punch out its developers) wherein they said, “and CAPTCHAs” are not even an issue. It advertises 100% CAPTCHA bypass.
I’ve had to enter a few captchas. Some were illegible and all were annoying, especially considering that it doesn’t even hamper the marketers.
I haven’t seen too much either but you have to fight spam someway.
I do get these, but I don’t think it’s increased since the redesign.
I would gladly verify with my mobile if T-Mobile worked with Facebook. Grrr. >:(
Annnnd of course, I immediately got one after posting that comment here.
Actually I don’t mind it much. Some of the phrases they come up is quite funny. And these easier to complete than the Ticketmaster confirmation windows at their website. Its a small price to pay instead of confirming you’re mobile phone and then having some hacker get the number..
This is happening posting youtube links sort of. Instead of the usual video preview, you see a captcha code. Really sucks!
I just got fed up and deleted my account. Just not worth it for me. Poor vision and no texting on my cell phone is a death sentence on Facebook.
It won’t let me use the same cell number more than once.
It is so bad I do not willingly patronize companies that use Captcha. I don’t mind filling in legible numbers but Captcha stinks! I hope it goes to Internet hell.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE OF US WHO DON’T OWN A MOBILE PHONE, AND THERE R ALOT OF US!!! WHY CAN’T FB HAVE A PHONE # SETTING??? I’VE ASKED THEM TWICE…STILL NO REPLY. FOR US, IT REALLY IS A PAIN IN THE CAPTCHA!!!!!
I’ve been plagued with CAPTCHA forms every time I send a message or write a status update today with a web link. Started today.