diff --git a/docs/bot-traffic-filtering.md b/docs/bot-traffic-filtering.md index ba42ae3b..56e1a2ac 100644 --- a/docs/bot-traffic-filtering.md +++ b/docs/bot-traffic-filtering.md @@ -15,6 +15,14 @@ We use multiple layers to filter non-human traffic: In [a server log comparison we ran](https://plausible.io/blog/server-log-analysis), we saw 18x more pageviews in server logs than in Plausible, which illustrates how much non-human traffic Plausible excludes. In a [separate test comparing Plausible to Google Analytics](https://plausible.io/blog/testing-bot-traffic-filtering-google-analytics), we ran three bot traffic scenarios against both tools. GA4 recorded all of them as legitimate traffic. Plausible rejected all three. +## VPN users and bot filtering + +Most visitors using VPNs or Tor are tracked normally. When a visit comes through a VPN or Tor network, it typically appears under the "Anonymous VPN Service" entry in the [Countries report](countries.md). + +However, some VPN IP addresses fall within ranges we classify as data center infrastructure. When that happens, those visits are filtered out along with automated traffic from the same ranges. Distinguishing between a real visitor using a VPN and automated traffic from a data center is difficult at the IP level. + +This is a tradeoff of aggressive bot filtering. It keeps automated traffic out of your stats but can occasionally result in some VPN visits not being recorded. + ## Why you might still see some bot traffic No filter is perfect. Bots emerge constantly and there is always a gap between when a new bot appears and when we identify and block it. If you see a sudden spike from an unfamiliar source with a very high bounce rate and short session duration, it may be bot traffic we haven't classified yet. diff --git a/docs/countries.md b/docs/countries.md index ed8389bf..a3389262 100644 --- a/docs/countries.md +++ b/docs/countries.md @@ -11,7 +11,9 @@ Click on any country to see the list of regions within that country where your v ## Visitors using VPNs and similar services To improve the location accuracy, visitors using VPN services or the Tor browser are grouped under the "Anonymous VPN Service" entry in the **Countries** tab. This method reduces the noise caused by analytics tools recording VPN server locations instead of actual user locations, while also making it easier to view the percentage of visitors using VPNs. - + +Note that some VPN visits may not be recorded at all. If a VPN IP address falls within ranges we classify as data center infrastructure, that visit will be filtered alongside automated traffic from the same ranges. This is a tradeoff of aggressive bot filtering. See [bot and spam traffic filtering](bot-traffic-filtering.md) for more details. + You can use the **Filter** button on the top of your dashboard to segment the traffic by multiple countries, regions or cities at the same time. This allows you to group specific geographical regions and display only that traffic. Countries - multiple filters diff --git a/docs/troubleshoot-integration.md b/docs/troubleshoot-integration.md index 1eab8a62..8ef744f0 100644 --- a/docs/troubleshoot-integration.md +++ b/docs/troubleshoot-integration.md @@ -95,6 +95,12 @@ Using WordPress and integrated Plausible using our official WordPress plugin? Ou If the verification tool has confirmed that the tracking is working fine, then you have nothing to worry about. If you'd like to track those who use adblockers too, take a look at [our proxy solution](/proxy/introduction.md). +## Are some of your visitors using a VPN that gets filtered as bot traffic? + +Most visitors using VPNs or Tor are tracked normally and appear under the "Anonymous VPN Service" entry in the [Countries report](countries.md). However, some VPN IP addresses fall within ranges we classify as data center infrastructure. When that happens, those visits are filtered out along with automated traffic from the same ranges. + +This is a tradeoff of aggressive bot filtering. It keeps automated traffic out of your stats but can occasionally result in some VPN visits not being recorded. See [bot and spam traffic filtering](bot-traffic-filtering.md) for more details. + ## Are some of your visitors not being counted due to blockers? Some visitors use tools that may block analytics scripts, including browser extensions, privacy-focused browsers, network-level blockers such as Pi-hole, or corporate firewalls. These visitors won't be counted in your dashboard.