How To Add Captcha In WordPress Contact Form? [in 2023]

Written by: Mark Coleman
Published on:

Are you tired of receiving spam messages from bots on your WordPress contact form? Adding a CAPTCHA can be the solution to your problem.

In this blog post, we will discuss how to add CAPTCHA in WordPress contact form, why and when you should add it, and what to do if you encounter any issues.

As a website expert, I have extensive knowledge and experience in WordPress and website security, so you can trust my expertise in this matter.

Keep reading to learn more about how to prevent spam and improve the security and user experience of your website.

If you prefer to watch a video tutorial on how to Add Captcha In WordPress Contact Form, check out this video tutorial:

How To Add Captcha In WordPress Contact Form?

Here is how to add CAPTCHA in WordPress contact form:

  1. Hover over on plugins then click on add new.
  2. Search for “contact form 7 CAPTCHA” plugin and install it.
  3. Activate the plugin.
  4. Hover over on settings then click on “CF7 CF7 simple recapture” option.
  5. Enter the side key and secret key.
  6. Select recapture version 2 and select “I’m not a robot” checkbox.
  7. Enter your email address and accept the recapture terms of service.
  8. Copy the side key and paste it in the designated field.
  9. Copy the secret key and paste it in the designated field.
  10. Click on save settings.
  11. Copy the short code.
  12. Edit your form settings and paste the code above the submit button.
  13. Click on save.
  14. Reload your website and you will see the CAPTCHA option added to your contact form.

That’s it for now.

Can’t Add Captcha In WordPress Contact Form – How to fix it?

If you are having trouble adding CAPTCHA in your WordPress contact form, there are several possible solutions you can try.

One solution is to install and activate the Contact Form 7 CAPTCHA plugin. To do this, hover over on plugins, click on add new, search for Contact Form 7 CAPTCHA, and install and activate the plugin.

Once the plugin is ready, hover over on settings, then click on CF7 CF7 simple recapture. Here, you will need to put in your site key and secret key. You can generate these keys by clicking on the plus icon and entering your website domain name without www and https. Select recapture version 2 and I’m not a robot checkbox, and paste your domain name again. You can enter your email address and accept the recapture terms of service. Copy the generated site key and secret key and paste them in the appropriate fields. Click on save settings.

Copy the short code and go to your form settings. Edit your form and paste the code above the submit button. Save the changes and reload your website. The CAPTCHA option should now be added to your contact form.

Another solution is to use a different plugin that supports CAPTCHA. Some popular options include WPForms, Gravity Forms, and Ninja Forms.

You can also try adding CAPTCHA manually by editing your contact form’s code. However, this requires some technical knowledge and may not be suitable for beginners.

In conclusion, adding CAPTCHA to your WordPress contact form is important for preventing spam and improving security. If you are having trouble adding CAPTCHA, try installing a plugin, using a different plugin, or adding it manually.

Why and when should you Add Captcha In WordPress Contact Form?

Adding a CAPTCHA in WordPress contact form is a great way to prevent spam and unwanted messages from bots. CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart. It is a security feature that helps to distinguish between human and automated form submissions.

Here are some reasons why you should add CAPTCHA in WordPress contact form:

  • Prevent spam: Adding a CAPTCHA to your contact form can prevent spam messages from bots. Bots can automatically fill out forms and submit them, causing you to receive unwanted messages.
  • Improve security: CAPTCHA helps to improve the security of your website by preventing automated attacks and hacking attempts.
  • Enhance user experience: By preventing spam and unwanted messages, you can enhance the user experience on your website. Users will appreciate not having to deal with spam messages and can easily contact you without any hassle.
  • Compliance with regulations: Some regulations require websites to have CAPTCHA in place to prevent spam and unwanted messages.

Adding CAPTCHA to your WordPress contact form is easy. You can simply install and activate the Contact Form 7 CAPTCHA plugin, generate site and secret keys, and add the shortcode to your form settings. By taking these simple steps, you can prevent spam and unwanted messages from bots and improve the security and user experience of your website.

Conclusion – Add Captcha In WordPress Contact Form

In conclusion, adding CAPTCHA to your WordPress contact form is a crucial step in preventing spam and improving the security and user experience of your website.

By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can easily add CAPTCHA to your contact form and enjoy the benefits of a spam-free inbox.

Remember to generate site and secret keys, install the Contact Form 7 CAPTCHA plugin, and add the shortcode to your form settings.

If you encounter any issues, try using a different plugin or adding CAPTCHA manually.

Don’t let spam messages from bots ruin your day – add CAPTCHA to your WordPress contact form today!

Mark Coleman - HowTOBuildWebsites
Written by Mark Coleman


Mark Coleman is the founder of HowToBuildWebsites.org, which provides comprehensive tutorials on website builders like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, and Shopify. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a business degree, developing an interest in web design's changing landscape and website builders' potential.

Mark enjoys experimenting with new web technologies, refining his web development skills, and actively participating in web design and development communities.

Learn more about him and read his articles here on HowToBuildWebsites.org.

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