If you’ve ever tried to buy tickets on Ticketmaster and received an error message saying you’re a bot, you’re definitely not alone. This frustrating issue stems from Ticketmaster’s bot protection measures, which are intended to prevent scalpers from using ticket buying bots to scoop up large quantities of tickets. Unfortunately these measures sometimes incorrectly flag real human users as bots. But there are ways you can get around this and prove to Ticketmaster that you’re a real person trying to buy tickets.
Why Ticketmaster thinks you’re a bot
Ticketmaster employs a few different tactics to try to distinguish between bots and real users:
- Captcha tests – these visual challenges are designed to be easy for humans but difficult for bots to solve.
- Timing analysis – bots tend to move through pages very quickly, while humans browse more slowly.
- Mouse movement tracking – bots have very precise mouse movements, while humans are more variable.
If your activity triggers their bot detection thresholds in any of these areas, you may get flagged as a bot. Some common triggers include:
- Moving through the ticket buying process very quickly by copying and pasting info or using autofill.
- Having multiple browser windows/tabs open for ticket purchases.
- Using a VPN or proxy service that masks your IP address or location.
Unfortunately, Ticketmaster’s bot protection is not foolproof. Legitimate human users sometimes get incorrectly flagged if their behavior resembles a bot. But don’t worry, there are ways around this issue.
Tips to avoid Ticketmaster bot detection
Here are some tips to make sure Ticketmaster identifies you as a real human ticket buyer:
- Slow down – Take your time going through each page of the ticket buying process. Don’t rush through or use autofill features.
- Limit browser windows – Only have one browser window or tab open for your ticket transaction.
- Turn off VPN – If you’re using a VPN or proxy, turn it off before buying tickets.
- Use mobile app – The Ticketmaster mobile app tends to be less bot-sensitive than the desktop site.
- Try different device – If one device gets flagged, try purchasing from a different device like a mobile phone or tablet.
- Use different payment method – In some cases, the payment method you use gets flagged, so try alternate credit card or PayPal.
- Contact support – You can contact Ticketmaster customer service to review your account if you think their bot detection made a mistake.
What to do if Ticketmaster still thinks you’re a bot
If you’ve tried the tips above but are still getting bot warnings from Ticketmaster, here are a few additional things you can try:
- Try incognito/private mode – The extra browser privacy protection can sometimes help you avoid filters.
- Change your IP address – A static or flagged IP could be getting you flagged, try rebooting your router to change it.
- Use a different wifi network – If your home network IP is flagged, try purchasing from a different wifi hotspot.
- Clear cookies/cache – Clearing tracking cookies and cache can wipe bot red flags tied to your browser.
- Try a friend’s account – See if purchasing from a friend’s Ticketmaster account avoids the bot issue.
- Use pre-sale code – Purchasing tickets through an official pre-sale offer helps prove you’re not a scalper.
- Call Ticketmaster – Speaking to a live agent allows you to verify you’re human.
Getting help from Ticketmaster
If you continue having problems getting past Ticketmaster’s bot filters, your best bet is to reach out to their customer support through one of these options:
- Online chat – Talk to an agent through Ticketmaster’s virtual chat support.
- Phone support – Call their toll-free customer service line for live assistance.
- Twitter – Tweet your issue to their @Ticketmaster support account.
- Email – Send an email explaining your bot problem to their customer service team.
When you contact support, explain your situation in detail and emphasize that you’re a real human customer who keeps getting blocked incorrectly. Having them manually review your account is the best way to resolve a bot flag mistake.
Last resort options
If you’ve exhausted all other options with Ticketmaster to no avail, here are a few last ditch methods you could consider:
- Use a ticket broker – Companies like StubHub provide alternate ticket sources, though fees may be higher.
- Attend box office – For local events, you may have luck buying directly at the venue’s box office.
- Wait for general sale – Bot filters may be less strict once tickets go on general sale to the public.
- Try giveaways – Enter ticket giveaways through radio stations, promoters, etc for a free chance.
- Find a presale – Keep hunting for special presales open to fan clubs or credit cards.
- Adjust your approach – Try using a different device, network, payment method, account, etc.
With persistence and patience, you should ultimately be able to get Ticketmaster to recognize you as a real human customer. Don’t let their bot protections discourage you from getting the tickets you want!
