Have you ever done a search on Google and received a message that you need to enter some characters to continue the search? These characters are called a CAPTCHA, a way to prove that you are not an automated program accessing Google. Sometimes Google can mistake a human for such a program. Hence, Google asks for Captcha when searching.

What’s a Captcha?

A captcha as per Google is triggered due to automated processes, proxy search traffic, DSL routers, and various other such tools. It can also be triggered due to an increase in the installation of malware on computers that perform these types of automated queries.

Google asking for Captcha when Searching

Thus, if you get one of these CAPTCHAs, all you have to do is verify yourself by typing in the characters to continue the search. However, you should also check your computer for viruses and malware.

How does Captcha works?

A CAPTCHA can be performed in the following ways:

  • Enter the correct group of characters as shown on the Catpcha screen.
  • Identify which images contain the queried object (e.g. traffic lights, busses, etc.).
  • Find objects in a single picture that has been divided into multiple squares.
  • Only when you have answered these questions correctly may you continue with your search.

How is it triggered?

You may be wondering why you get a CAPTCHA in the first place. The reason is fairly simple: you get a CAPTCHA because Google has detected unusual traffic from your computer network.

When Google detects that your network is behaving unusually (for example, sending automated traffic), you’ll receive a message. You’ll then have to answer a CAPTCHA before you can continue your search.

Based on a person’s search patterns, Google can either mistake a person for a dangerous program or mistake it for them. In case you do not already know: Bots and artificial intelligence are now common on the internet.

Some sort of automated traffic examples are when you send a search from :
When you send the search from a:

  • Robot(Spambots)
  • Computer program
  • Automated service
  • Search scraper
  • SEO tools
  • DSL routers
  • Infected Computers

What to do — Google asking for Captcha when Searching?

When Google detects unusual traffic from your computer network; you’ll be automatically redirected to an error page. This page will contain the Captcha button and the message, “To continue using Google, solve the reCAPTCHA.”

If you solve the Captcha correctly, Google knows you are human and not a malicious spam bot. After you solve the Captcha, you will get redirected to the search results of your last search.

Disabling Chrome Captcha

If you use Google Chrome, you may have noticed a pop-up window when you visit certain websites or perform a certain action; asking to click on Allow and prove that the user is not a robot. Also, once you click the ‘Allow’ button, you’ll receive unwanted ads directly to your desktop.

It can be frustrating to receive these pop-ups. Thus, to disable these, here is what you need to do:

  • Click on Chrome’s more (three dots) button > Settings
  • Go to “Advanced” > “Privacy and Security”.
  • Click on “Content Settings” > “Notifications”
  • Search for the Captcha.info website.
  • Click on “Remove.”
    Now you can browse this website without fear of pop-up notifications. You can do the same for other websites as well. Just repeat the above process.

Steam: Your Response to the Captcha appears to be invalid

Other ways to fix Google asking for Captcha when Searching

There are many other ways to tackle this issue. We will be discussing some of the ways hereon:

Delete cookies

Usually, answering the authentication request is enough to keep them at bay for a while. However, if you are asked frequently – for example, after every search; then you should delete the cookies to make them go away. It seems that Google uses cookies to detect bots. So if you delete the cookies, Google will no longer think you are a bot :

  • Click on the more(three dots) button and select “Settings”.
  • Now scroll down and click on “Advanced” to open the advanced settings.
  • Keep scrolling and click on “Clear browsing data”.
  • Select the “Cookies and other website data” option and uncheck all the others.
  • After clearing the cookies, try browsing again and Google should no longer bother you.

Stop using VPNs

When using a VPN, Google is extra cautious because most bot users try to cover their tracks with a VPN. If this happens to you while you are using a VPN, then it’s probably because of the VPN. Thus, disable it and most probably it will help.

Effect an IP address change

Google might have flagged your IP address as suspicious, which is why you are getting frequent authentication requests. Changing your IP address might also help.

  • In Google search, type “What’s my IP” (if it works) to find out your current public IP address. You can use any search engine to do this.
  • Press Windows+R keys and type cmd in the Run dialog box to open the command prompt.
  • Now type “ipconfig/release” and press Enter.
  • Once the process is complete, type “ipconfig/renew” and press enter.
  • This will renew your IP address and should change it.

Disable Google Web-App Activity

This is a pretty bold step that prevents Google from recording your search queries and providing custom results. However, after disabling it, Google has yet to ask me to authenticate.

Check for virus and malwares

If the authentication requests are too frequent or Google will not let you use the search engine; your PC may be infected. There are many types of malware that hide in the background and send numerous requests without the user noticing (e.g. for a DDoS attack). If Google finds out, it might block you or require authentication.

The inevitable method — Stop using Google search

If Google still thinks you are a bot after all of the above, it’s probably because of your search patterns. You may need to do extensive searches frequently or perform repetitive tasks, leading Google to think you are a bot. You can not make Google change its filters, so it’s best to switch to another search engine when you need to do a specific search.

Both Bing and DuckDuckGo have less stringent filters for bots. However, I recommend DuckDuckGo as it has some reliable privacy features.

Google asking for Captcha when Searching

WRAPPING UP !!

Captcha’s are pretty annoying. But in reality, they are, and they serve a higher purpose. Every time you submit a Captcha, you are also contributing to the advancement of technology and a much better Google. So, by all means, solve Captcha’s when Google asks for Captcha when searching and make the world a better place. Until next time, see ya !! Goodbye :)~

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