If you’ve ever tried to buy tickets on Ticketmaster only to have your purchase session flagged as suspicious bot activity, you’re not alone. This frustrating issue stems from Ticketmaster’s bot detection systems, which are designed to combat automated ticket scalpers but often end up impacting genuine fans too.
What triggers Ticketmaster’s bot detector?
Ticketmaster uses a variety of factors to determine if web traffic is coming from an automated bot rather than a human user. Some of the signals their systems look for include:
- Your browsing behavior – Things like rapidly clicking pages or quickly filling out forms may appear bot-like.
- Your location – Accessing Ticketmaster from an unknown or proxy IP address can raise flags.
- Your hardware – Using an unknown or outdated browser, OS or device can appear suspicious.
Unfortunately, these broad signals often lead to false positives and can make the ticket buying experience difficult for regular customers. Just because your behavior seems bot-like doesn’t mean you have malicious intent. You might simply be an eager fan trying to land a coveted ticket.
Why does my computer get flagged as a bot?
There are a few common reasons why your personal laptop or desktop could be misidentified as an automated bot by Ticketmaster:
- Using an outdated or obscure browser that bots favor
- Connecting from a public Wi-Fi network or shared IP address
- Using privacy tools like VPNs or ad blockers
- Refreshing pages repeatedly or hastily filling in forms
From Ticketmaster’s perspective, these signals match common bot behaviors. However, they often negatively impact real fans who trigger the alarms accidentally.
How can I avoid Ticketmaster’s bot detection?
Here are some tips to reduce the likelihood of being flagged as a bot when purchasing tickets:
- Use a modern, updated web browser like Chrome or Firefox.
- Connect from a home Wi-Fi network instead of public Wi-Fi.
- Disable any VPNs, privacy extensions or ad blockers temporarily.
- Slow down your browsing and don’t rapidly click or refresh.
- If possible, access Ticketmaster from a mobile device rather than a desktop.
Essentially, making your browsing behavior appear more human and less bot-like will help. Keep things slow and steady during the ticket transaction.
What happens if Ticketmaster flags me as a bot?
If Ticketmaster’s systems detect suspicious signals and flag your activity as an automated bot, a few things might occur:
- You may have to pass a CAPTCHA challenge to prove you are human.
- You may be blocked from completing your transaction.
- Your tickets could be canceled and refund issued later.
- You may be asked to verify your identity via email or SMS.
In most cases, you will face extra friction and obstacles trying to make your purchase. You may even miss out on the tickets you want entirely if falsely flagged.
How can I get my account unblocked if wrongly flagged?
If Ticketmaster incorrectly blocks your account believing you are a bot, here are some steps to get it unblocked:
- Contact Ticketmaster customer support and explain you were falsely flagged.
- Verify your identity by providing personal information.
- Avoid any behavior that could appear bot-like in the future.
- Try connecting from a new IP address and device if possible.
- Clear your cookies and browser cache before attempting future purchases.
With some verification and patience, Ticketmaster support can research the issue on their end and remove any blocks or limits wrongly applied to your account. But it’s an inconvenient process.
Why is Ticketmaster on high alert for bots?
Ticketmaster is extremely vigilant about bot activity because of ongoing problems with automated scalpers. Bots allow scalpers to snap up huge volumes of tickets the moment sales open, cutting regular fans out:
- Scalper bots can rapidly process transactions, beating humans.
- They circumvent ticket limits, sometimes buying hundreds each.
- The tickets are then resold at inflated prices.
By some estimates, over 60% of tickets for popular shows are scooped up instantly by scalper bots. This forces fans to pay expensive resale prices.
Ticket Type | Face Value Price | Resale Price |
---|---|---|
Regular Seat | $100 | $250 |
VIP Seat | $500 | $1000 |
As you can see in the table, scalper bots artificially inflate prices. Ticketmaster is under pressure to crack down on this, even if it impacts some regular customers too.
Is Ticketmaster’s bot detection effective?
Ticketmaster catches and blocks many bot transactions, but scalpers are constantly evolving new tactics. Estimates suggest 20-30% of tickets still end up on resale sites:
- Scalpers use increasingly advanced bots that mimic human behavior.
- Ticketing platforms have to manually analyze bot patterns and update defences.
- Fans face growing costs, inconvenience and anxiety over purchases.
In summary, Ticketmaster’s anti-bot efforts are only partially effective. False positives on fans and bot operators innovating faster than defences can keep up mean the problems continue.
What anti-bot laws exist?
Some states have enacted anti-bot laws to curb automated scalpers, including:
- New York: The BOSS Act prohibits use of bots to buy tickets. Violators face fines up to $1,000 per ticket.
- Oregon: Bot usage carries civil penalties of $1,500 per violation.
- California: Using bots to unfairly gain an advantage is illegal. Fines go up to $2,500 per ticket.
However, enforcement remains challenging. Scalpers can hide bot traffic via proxies and avoid detection. Hence the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between Ticketmaster and bad actors.
What other defenses does Ticketmaster employ?
In addition to detection systems, Ticketmaster leverages other defenses like CAPTCHAs and ticket limits:
- CAPTCHAs – Users must pass tests proving they are human and not a bot.
- Purchase Limits – Restricting how many tickets each customer can buy.
- Account Checks – Screening new accounts more thoroughly for suspicious signals.
However, dedicated scalpers find ways to defeat these over time. Completing CAPTCHAs manually or creating large networks of accounts lets them bypass restrictions.
Does Ticketmaster face any criticism?
Ticketmaster draws criticism on two fronts:
- Overblocking legitimate customers by mistake, which is frustrating.
- Failing to stop large volumes of tickets reaching resale sites despite anti-bot efforts.
Essentially, many feel their bot defense tactics are an inadequate band-aid solution. Some even accuse Ticketmaster of not wanting to fully solve the problem since they either own, or partner with, some major resale platforms.
What alternatives does Ticketmaster offer?
Instead of battling on Ticketmaster’s main website, they recommend fans try these alternate options:
- Verified Fan – A preregistration system where fans prove human status before sales open.
- Fan to Fan Exchange – Ticketmaster’s official resale marketplace.
- Venue Presales – Special presales directly through the concert venue’s box office.
These experiences may offer fewer hoops and obstacles. However, tickets are still limited, so it’s not a magic fix for fans.
Conclusion
Getting mistaken for a scalper bot by Ticketmaster’s automated defenses is frustrating. But it stems from their cat-and-mouse fight against actual ticket bots used by scalpers. Fans get caught in the crossfire, blocked from purchases unless they can prove they are human.
Ticketmaster will likely continue updating their bot detection technology. But as long as there is money to be made in ticket resales, scalpers will find ways to evade and adapt. For music and sport fans, acquiring tickets will remain a messy battleground.