Blocking invalid site traffic for SEO

[born2run]

Hi,

I use cloudflare and in their firewall setup they have following rules:

False IE6 detection [Type C]
False IE6 detection [Type B]

I am not challenging these UA traffic types. I need advise from someone here whether I should challenge these visitors? Sometimes I see a wave of these UA types within the same time from different IP addresses but exhibiting same UA, accessing different resources on my site.

I'm at my wit's end because Adsense as well is complaining about invalid traffic.

So my question is should I at least challenge these visits using CAPTCHA? Please advise. thanks!

[keyplyr]

As you've been advised a couple times born2run, using a blunt tool like those filters will also block some valid visitors.

That's the trade off. You don't actually have to learn anything and do the work, but the method has it's disadvantages.

However without some knowledge & understanding how all this is impacting your website, it is unlikely you will realize the loss. Ignorance is bliss :)

[born2run]

Thanks keyplyr & apologies too. I'll be watching my firewall logs regularly and GA stats to see how this filter impacts my users.

[born2run]

Actually I've been wondering who's using IE6 UA browser these days? Also why are bots using this UA? Any ideas? Thanks!

[keyplyr]

who's using IE6 UA browser these days?

Not many, but there are some who never update. I know a couple like that.

why are bots using this UA?

Malicious bots or those who have no beneficial use to the site owner most often fake the UA. They likely don't consider the relevance or currency.

This has nothing to do with "Google SEO News and Discussion"

This information can be found in the Search Engine Spider & User Agent ID Forum [webmasterworld.com]

[tangor]

While there might be human visitors using such outdated software, the other question is if they are potential converting traffic. I routinely block these old UAs and have not seen any impact, but, depending on your target audience and geo-location, there could be a hit.

One way to find out is to turn on these offered protections and see what happens 30 days from now.

Only way to find out is to try it.

[keyplyr]

If you're site is HTTPS and you're seeing IE6 in your server logs, they must be pretenders.

[webmasters.stackexchange.com...]

[born2run]

Thanks guys for all the knowledge..