As online ticket sales for concerts, sports events, and other high-demand shows have grown, so too have automated bots that try to buy up large quantities of tickets as soon as they go on sale. This often leaves regular fans frustrated when tickets immediately sell out.
In an effort to level the playing field, Ticketmaster has implemented several measures to deter bots and ensure more tickets go to genuine fans. Here are some of the key ways Ticketmaster tries to detect and stop bots, as well as tips for proving you are not a bot when purchasing tickets.
Ticket Limit Enforcement
One of the most basic ways Ticketmaster tries to stop bots is by enforcing ticket purchase limits. There is typically a 4-6 ticket limit for any single transaction on Ticketmaster to prevent mass purchases. If you try to buy more than the set limit, your transaction will be declined.
Abiding by the set ticket limits is an easy way to show you are not a bot trying to unfairly acquire large batches of tickets. Make sure you follow the limits precisely during the checkout process.
CAPTCHA Tests
CAPTCHA tests are a common tool used by many websites to distinguish humans from bots. During the Ticketmaster checkout process, you may be prompted to select certain images or text to prove you are not an automated program.
Be prepared to take a few extra seconds to complete any CAPTCHA tests that pop up. Select the right images or enter the displayed characters accurately. Passing the CAPTCHAs demonstrates you are a real human ticket buyer.
Identity Verification
Ticketmaster may prompt you to upload or input additional personal information to match your identity. This could include:
- Driver’s license number
- Last 4 digits of your social security number
- Credit card security code
Providing accurate personal info as requested helps verify you are who you say you are. Bots would not have access to this identifying data.
Smart Queue System
For very high demand shows where tickets sell out instantly, Ticketmaster may use a Smart Queue system. This randomly assigns spots in a digital line to all shoppers instead of allowing a free-for-all.
As long as you follow the queue instructions and patiently wait your turn, this shows you are a real fan trying to buy tickets rather than a bot jumping ahead in line.
Order Review Process
Ticketmaster may closely review orders that exhibit bot-like patterns such as high volumes or speed. If your order gets flagged, you may have to provide additional verification like:
- Billing address tied to your credit card
- Phone number confirmation
- Last ticket purchases you made
Cooperating with any post-order reviews demonstrates you have nothing to hide. Bots using fake accounts wouldn’t be able to provide extra verification.
Limiting Automated Searches
Ticketmaster tries to detect and block tools that enable bulk automated searches for ticket inventory. Using programs that repeatedly scan for tickets could get IP addresses or accounts blocked.
Stick to manually searching for tickets one at a time on the Ticketmaster website or app. Avoid anything that feels like automated high-volume queries.
Purchasing History Reviews
Ticketmaster may analyze the past purchase history and patterns on accounts making large orders. Suspicious factors could include:
- Brand new accounts
- Accounts with no prior Ticketmaster activity suddenly making bulk purchases
- Multiple accounts from the same IP address making similar orders
Making ticket buys from an account with a track record of normal Ticketmaster use is wise. Having past real event purchases on your account helps indicate it belongs to an actual fan.
Time Controls
During presales and general on-sales, Ticketmaster imposes tight controls around the time when tickets can be added to carts and purchased. This aims to stamp out bots that try to instantly acquire tickets the moment they are available.
Carefully follow the set add-to-cart and checkout time frames. Only attempting purchases during the specified times shows you are adhering to the rules like a normal user.
IP Blocking
If Ticketmaster detects suspicious bot-like activity from a particular IP address, they may block it from making further ticket transactions. Too many requests from one IP, failed CAPTCHAs, suspicious order patterns, and other red flags could all lead to getting blocked.
Avoid doing anything that might appear like bot behavior from your IP. Slow, limited searches and ticket checks from your individual device can reduce the risk of getting IP banned.
Multi-factor Authentication
For some shows, Ticketmaster may require multi-factor authentication to complete purchases. This means you will need access to email, phone, or other external services for confirmation codes.
Enabling multi-factor when prompted provides extra evidence that you are an actual verified person rather than pure automated software.
Mobile Ticket Requests
Ticketmaster may restrict ticket purchases to mobile apps only, prohibiting desktop web orders. This is because bots often operate via desktop browsers where automation is easier.
If you are limited to mobile ticketing during the on-sale, use the official Ticketmaster app on your smartphone or tablet. This demonstrates you are an individual fan and not a bot on a PC.
Account Monitoring
Ticketmaster proactively monitors accounts for suspicious patterns before ticket on-sales even begin. Account attributes like:
- Recent password changes
- Sudden changes to profile details
- Brand new account creation right before sales
Could flag your account for additional scrutiny or restrictions. Avoiding big last-minute account changes minimizes the risk of getting temporarily blocked.
Double-Checking Billing Details
Ticketmaster may carefully verify the billing information entered during checkout matches the payment details on file with your bank. This confirms the card and purchase are legitimate.
When checking out, accurately enter the billing address and other info that exactly matches your cardholder data. Consistency avoids bot red flags.
Device Fingerprinting
Your device may be digitally fingerprinted by Ticketmaster during purchase flows. Factors like device type, operating system, screen size, browser settings and more help identify and confirm real individual users.
Purchasing tickets directly from the same device helps ensure your hardware fingerprint remains consistent and human-like. Avoid repeating orders across many different devices.
Real-Time Order Analysis
Using AI and machine learning, Ticketmaster analyzes orders in real time for suspicious patterns. Unnatural volumes, speeds, inconsistencies, duplications, and other anomalies could trigger bot alarms.
Placing orders at a normal human pace with logical ticket quantities is wise. Mimicking real shopping behavior minimizes red flags.
Fraud Warnings
If Ticketmaster believes your account or purchase looks highly suspicious or fraudulent, they may require you to contact customer support before your order can proceed. This gives you a chance to explain it is a legitimate purchase.
If you receive any fraud warnings or prompts to contact support, be responsive. Communicate details supporting why you are a real person buying tickets for personal use.
Account Age Analysis
Ticketmaster examines the creation dates of accounts making large bulk purchases. Accounts made very recently then instantly trying to buy maximum tickets could appear bot-like.
Having an established Ticketmaster account with a longer history can help demonstrate you are not a “sleeper” bot account suddenly activated. Use an account you’ve owned for a good while.
Refusing Resale Restricted Tickets
For some high-demand events, Ticketmaster may prohibit reselling tickets. Attempting to purchase these types of restricted tickets then resell them indicates bot activity.
Carefully check event details and only buy non-transferrable tickets if you genuinely plan to attend. Following the rules shows good faith.
Reviewing Shopping Cart Activity
Ticketmaster may review users’ shopping cart histories for bot patterns. Suspiciously adding and removing large volumes of tickets from your cart could get flagged during checkout.
Using your cart normally and only adding the tickets you actually intend to buy avoids appearing like a bot shopping in bulk.
Analyzing Order Speed
The speed at which an order is placed factors into Ticketmaster’s bot detection efforts. Orders completed unusually fast at superhuman speeds are scrutinized.
Purchasing tickets at a natural pace within human limitations helps you avoid speed-based red flags. Take a reasonable time reading, verifying, and submitting your order.
Cross-Checking Event Interest
Ticketmaster tries to detect sudden bulk purchases for events a user has shown no prior interest in. For example, no recent ticket searches or webpage views related to that event.
Having some past Ticketmaster activity demonstrating interest in the event you are purchasing tickets for can help avoid concerns. Show some pre-event history.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster deploys a wide and evolving array of tactics to identify automated bot ticket purchases and permit more sales to genuine fans. By understanding their methods and making orders thoughtfully, you can follow best practices that prove you are a real human buyer.
Avoiding mass purchases, passing CAPTCHAs, providing verification info, having purchase history, ordering at reasonable speeds, and otherwise adhering to rules will demonstrate your legitimacy. With some prudence and planning, fans can still beat the bots.