Captcha survey question

What is a captcha question?

CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to distinguish computers and humans. It is a challenge-response test used in online applications to determine whether the user is a human or an automated program. They are used to prevent software or robots from exploiting the system and allow only legitimate human users. It is one of the basic question types used to create a survey questionnaire.

Captcha verification is a third-party service provided by Google. However, no data is sent to Google while using this service. Respondents can go through Google's reCaptcha service privacy policies and terms by clicking on the link in the question.

Captcha question consists of a checkbox that confirms that the user is a human and not an automated program. Once the respondents tick the box, they can proceed with answering the survey.

If the respondents do not tick the box, then they will see a validation message saying, 'Please check the box'.

Captcha question is generally used on the first page of the survey with no other question on the same page. It ensures that bots do not pose as humans and make any malicious attempt to disturb the data and systems.

Captcha survey question doesn't prevent the respondents from taking the survey multiple times. However, you can configure the survey settings to ensure that no respondent answers the questionnaire more than once.

Types of captcha question

There are mainly two types of captcha verification questions used in online applications.

1. Checkbox - Respondents need to tick a box confirming they are not robots.
2. Graphics - These type of questions shows some images to the respondents and request them to click on the answer images. It is a typical 'Select all that apply.'
3. Type text - Respondents see some text and need to type it in a textbox.
4. Multimedia - For people with different needs, the question consists of an audio or video clip. Respondents need to watch or listen to the clip and answer the question.

QuestionPro offers a checkbox based captcha question type in surveys.

Example of captcha question in surveys

Assume a retail company wants to learn more about the online shopping habits of people and wants to conduct an online study for the same. To make more people complete the questionnaire, the company has also offered rewards to the respondents who answer all questions.

In such a case, market researchers should use a captcha question in their survey to make sure that people don’t trick the system with bots and claim rewards.

Uses of captcha questions in surveys

• Verification: It becomes challenging for bots to bypass this question for verification and answer it correctly. As only humans can accurately identify the elements in the captcha survey question, it is a good idea to verify that the respondent is a human being and not an automated program.
• Prevent spam: As bots cannot answer such questions correctly, the systems can be safeguarded from spamming.

Advantages of captcha verification question in surveys

• Prevent data corruption: As robots or software cannot submit responses in bulk, survey data remains intact.
• An additional layer of security: Many organizations embed a survey on a website. Captcha question adds a layer of security that only humans can pass and thus keep infrastructure safe.
• Prevent exploitation of rewards: If you are offering an incentive to answer a survey, people might want to employ software that will submit multiple surveys. Captcha question prevents respondents from completing the survey and stall malicious attempt to exploit the system.

How to add a captcha question in your surveys?

Learn how to set up and use this feature with our help file on the reCaptcha question.