Why am I seeing “unusual traffic” and a CAPTCHA on Google?
Asked by
MellowPine47
I got an "unusual traffic from your computer network" warning and a CAPTCHA while browsing in an incognito tab on my iPhone. I was searching for something sensitive at the time, so I'm worried Google may be specifically flagging what I searched for. Is this likely just a coincidence? I was using mobile data rather than Wi-Fi when it happened.
Answers
This warning usually means Google detected traffic that looked automated, not that it disapproved of your search. Mobile carriers often use shared IP addresses through carrier-grade NAT, so many unrelated phones may appear to Google as coming from the same network address. That can trigger a CAPTCHA, especially during busy periods.
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It can also happen with public networks, VPNs, or any connection used by lots of people. Incognito mode doesn’t cause this by itself, and the warning generally isn’t connected to the subject of your search.
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Seeing it once is normally harmless. Complete the CAPTCHA and continue using Google. If the message starts appearing constantly, try switching networks, restarting your connection, disabling a VPN, or checking your device for unusual browser extensions or apps.
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