Title: Does it really work ?
Last modified: December 23, 2018

---

# Does it really work ?

 *  Resolved [joy0114](https://wordpress.org/support/users/joy0114/)
 * (@joy0114)
 * [7 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/does-it-really-work-2/)
 * Hello,
 * After executing all the configuration, no way… It does not block unwanted bots(
   like “adscanner”, “dotbot”, etc…).
    My whitelist is reduced to some well known
   robots, so these bots should be blocked.
 * I use super cache with option “late init” enabled.
 * So, I have to block these bots with htaccess …
 * Did someone experiment some issues with WP 4.9.8, super cache and Blackhole for
   bad bots ?
 * Thanks a lot.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

 *  Plugin Author [Jeff Starr](https://wordpress.org/support/users/specialk/)
 * (@specialk)
 * [7 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/does-it-really-work-2/#post-11022073)
 * Glad to help:
 * 1) “After executing all the configuration, no way… It does not block unwanted
   bots (like “adscanner”, “dotbot”, etc…).”
 * In the plugin documentation, it explains clearly how this plugin works: it blocks
   bad bots that do not follow the hidden trigger link. What this plugin does not
   do, is just block all bad bots immediately. What does this mean? It means that
   bots like “adscanner” and “dotbot” will only be blocked IF they follow the hidden
   link. I.e., no bots are blocked by default.
 * 2) “Did someone experiment some issues with WP 4.9.8, super cache and Blackhole
   for bad bots ?”
 * If you are running a cache plugin, you should check out [this guide](https://plugin-planet.com/blackhole-pro-cache-plugins/).
   It explains which cache plugins are compatible, and what steps (if any) are required
   in order to work.
 * Let me know if any further questions, glad to help however possible. And no, 
   there are no reported issues with WordPress 4.9.8 or any other version.
    -  This reply was modified 7 years, 5 months ago by [Jeff Starr](https://wordpress.org/support/users/specialk/).
      Reason: adds info
 *  Thread Starter [joy0114](https://wordpress.org/support/users/joy0114/)
 * (@joy0114)
 * [7 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/does-it-really-work-2/#post-11022995)
 * Hello Jeff,
 * Yes, I carefully read the documentation before install (as usual) and follow 
   all these guides.
 * The hidden link is present on pages.
 * So, now, I think I have to wait some robots want to follow it. For now, it’s 
   not the case, so at this time no bad bots are blocked. Perhaps it’s necessary
   to wait more than 3 or 4 days.
 * Thanks for your answer and quick support.
 * Best regards.
 *  Plugin Author [Jeff Starr](https://wordpress.org/support/users/specialk/)
 * (@specialk)
 * [7 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/does-it-really-work-2/#post-11023019)
 * Yes exactly. Bad bots tend to be proportional to traffic, so if you have a newer
   site, it’s probably not getting hammered with bot attacks. As traffic grows and
   bots increase over time, you should see an increase in the number of blocked 
   bots.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

The topic ‘Does it really work ?’ is closed to new replies.

 * ![](https://ps.w.org/blackhole-bad-bots/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1471215)
 * [Blackhole for Bad Bots](https://wordpress.org/plugins/blackhole-bad-bots/)
 * [Frequently Asked Questions](https://wordpress.org/plugins/blackhole-bad-bots/#faq)
 * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/blackhole-bad-bots/)
 * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/blackhole-bad-bots/active/)
 * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/blackhole-bad-bots/unresolved/)
 * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/blackhole-bad-bots/reviews/)

 * 3 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [Jeff Starr](https://wordpress.org/support/users/specialk/)
 * Last activity: [7 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/does-it-really-work-2/#post-11023019)
 * Status: resolved