Say what a bot is
Say what a bot is, and why a website asks whether you are one.
A bot is a program that does one job over and over, with nobody at the keyboard.
Some are useful: they read pages so search can find them. Others buy up every ticket.
Key points
- A bot is a program doing one job over and over
- The not-a-robot box is a site checking a person is there
What to remember
- The check exists because programs buy faster than people can.
- A bot is a program working at machine speed.
Try this
Next time a site asks whether you are a robot, notice what it protects.
Practice: Say what a bot is. Your first lesson is free, with no account or card; the rest are part of a Lantern plan. Interactive lessons require JavaScript.