What exactly does IdoSell change in the Google reCAPTCHA configuration?

IdoSell points out that due to changes in Google's reCAPTCHA provision, online store owners should switch to individual keys . This is to ensure continued protection against bots and to provide sellers with insight into statistics and service usage unique to their domain. The cutoff date is crucial: keys must be entered by December 31, 2025 , to ensure continued protection.

Google changes: free limit and costs after exceeding the threshold

Google has introduced a more streamlined reCAPTCHA offering and a transparent billing model, which directly impacts online stores using this protection. IdoSell's communications feature a reCAPTCHA Lite , which is free for up to 10,000 verifications per month . After this limit, the cost is typically $1 for every additional 1,000 verifications . For many smaller and medium-sized online stores, the free limit may be sufficient, but during periods of high traffic (campaigns, seasonality, bot attacks), it's worth monitoring usage.

How to generate and implement your own reCAPTCHA keys in the IdoSell online store?

1) Generate keys in the Google dashboard

Access the Google reCAPTCHA console, log in to your Google account, and register your website. During registration, set a tag (e.g., your online store name), add your store's domain, and select the reCAPTCHA type—IdoSell recommends reCAPTCHA v3 , which runs in the background and doesn't require clicking or selecting images. After saving the configuration, you'll receive a Site Key and Secret Key .

2) Paste the keys in the IdoSell Panel

Next, go to the Google reCAPTCHA settings in the IdoSell admin panel and enter both keys, then save the changes. IdoSell provides the following path:
Settings → Apps and sales channels → Google → Google reCAPTCHA .
From this point on, the online store should continue to effectively block suspicious form traffic.

3) Check performance on key forms

After implementation, it's worth performing simple tests: sending a query via the contact form, creating an account, resetting your password, or adding a review (provided these features are enabled in your online store). This will quickly identify any domain configuration errors or typos in your keys. It's also a good idea to keep anti-spam protection active in your dashboard, as it reduces the risk of abuse from the start.

Benefits for merchants: more control and transparency in bot protection

• Transparency – you can see the use of the service and assess the scale of blocked attempts.
• Cost control – limits and billing apply only to your online store, without "mixing" traffic.
• Process stability – reduced risk of form disruptions during sales campaigns.
• Better operational decisions – it is easier to justify anti-fraud activities and technical work within the team.

IdoSell also points out that the transition to own keys is intended to maintain the effectiveness of protection while maintaining the convenience of shopping, which in the digital world translates into conversion and brand trust.

Risks and what to remember: security is a process, not a one-time change

The biggest risk is putting things off until the last minute – if the keys aren't added on time, the online store may lose guaranteed continued protection against bots. Another aspect is matching reCAPTCHA and domains: an incorrect address or omission of a subdomain can cause validation issues. It's also worth being aware that with high traffic or strong bot attacks, the number of verifications may increase, so monitoring in the Google dashboard helps keep costs in check. 

A practical checklist for online stores: what to do by December 31, 2025?

1. Generate keys in the Google reCAPTCHA console for your online store domain.
2. Paste the Site Key and Secret Key in the IdoSell panel (Settings → Applications and sales channels → Google → Google reCAPTCHA).
3. Test forms (contact, registration, password reset) and processes that are often targeted by spam.
4. Check your stats in your Google dashboard after 24-48 hours and assess whether your usage is within the limit.
5. Make sure you have a procedure in place for the future : who in your company has access to your Google account and where the keys are stored (without making them publicly available).

Why is this update important for the digital world in Poland?

Changes to security tools like reCAPTCHA are rarely "visible" to customers, but they have a real impact on the quality of online sales. When bots flood forms, customer service, marketing (fake leads), and sometimes even the reputation of the domain and infrastructure suffer. For Polish companies, this is another signal that platforms and service providers (Google, IdoSell) are moving toward greater accountability and resource allocation to specific online stores. This promotes fair competition by reducing situations in which one entity "transfers" problems or costs to others. For a more comprehensive discussion of technological topics in online sales, also check out the
Technologies and Solutions .

What's next: How to approach protecting forms and bot traffic in 2026?

Implementing your own reCAPTCHA keys should be considered part of a broader approach to security in the digital world. First, it's a good idea to get into the habit of periodically reviewing form security, as this is the most common vector for spam. Second, it makes sense to establish internal accountability: who monitors alerts and who responds when the number of suspicious attempts increases. Third, the more automated bots become, the more important it becomes to combine tools: filters, blockers, logs, and a well-configuration of anti-spam mechanisms. For online stores, this is simply an investment in stable sales and more peaceful teamwork.