Akismet vs WebDecoy

Akismet spam filtering vs WebDecoy bot detection. Different problems need different tools—here's when to use each or both.

Akismet vs WebDecoy

Akismet and WebDecoy solve fundamentally different problems. Akismet is content filtering—analyzing what was submitted to determine if it’s spam. WebDecoy is bot detection—identifying automation before it can act, regardless of what content it would submit.

Understanding this distinction helps you choose the right tool—or use both together.

What Each Does

Akismet: Content Spam Filter

User Submits Comment
    ↓
Akismet API
    ├── Content Analysis
    │   ├── Known spam phrases
    │   ├── Link patterns
    │   └── Source reputation
    └── Spam Score
    ↓
Allow / Spam Folder / Block

Primary function: Analyze submitted content for spam patterns.

When it runs: After content is submitted.

WebDecoy: Multi-Signal Bot Detection

User Request
    ↓
WebDecoy Detection Stack
    ├── TLS Fingerprinting (JA3/JA4)
    │   └── Automation signature detection
    ├── IP Enrichment
    │   ├── AbuseIPDB + GreyNoise + IPQualityScore
    │   └── Datacenter/VPN/Tor detection
    ├── Geographic Consistency
    │   └── Timezone/IP/Language correlation
    ├── Honeypot Detection
    │   ├── Decoy Links (hidden spider traps)
    │   ├── Endpoint Decoys (fake API routes)
    │   └── Hidden form fields
    ├── Behavioral Analysis (Bot Scanner)
    │   └── Mouse entropy, keystrokes, forms
    └── Vision AI Detection (FCaptcha)
        └── GPT-4V, Claude Computer Use, Operator
    ↓
Threat Score → Allow / Challenge / Block

Primary function: Detect bots through multiple signals.

When it runs: Before bots can interact with your application.

The Key Difference

Akismet: “Is this content spam?”

Akismet looks at what was submitted:

• Text containing “cheap viagra” → spam
• Comment from IP with spam history → likely spam
• Links to known spam domains → spam

Limitation: Content must be submitted before analysis.

WebDecoy: “Is this a bot?”

WebDecoy looks at who/what is submitting:

• TLS fingerprint doesn’t match User-Agent → bot
• Request hit hidden honeypot → bot
• IP flagged by multiple threat intelligence sources → suspicious
• Keystroke timing is programmatic → bot

Advantage: Bots are detected before they can submit anything.

What Each Catches

Why WebDecoy Catches Spam Bots Better

For automated spam, WebDecoy provides earlier detection:

// WebDecoy catches spam bot BEFORE form submission
{
  "signals": {
    "tls": {
      "claimed": "Chrome/121",
      "actual": "Python requests",
      "mismatch": true,
      "score": +45
    },
    "honeypot": {
      "hidden_field_filled": true,  // Bot filled invisible field
      "score": +50
    },
    "behavioral": {
      "form_completion_time": 200,  // 200ms (too fast for human)
      "score": +25
    }
  },
  "threat_score": 95,
  "verdict": "block"
}
// Bot never reaches comment form

With Akismet alone, the bot submits spam that must be filtered. With WebDecoy, the bot is blocked before submission.

Using Both Together

For WordPress sites with spam problems, the ideal setup:

1. WebDecoy: Blocks automated spam at the source
2. Akismet: Catches any human-generated spam that gets through

Visitor → WebDecoy Detection
             ↓
          Bot? → Block (WebDecoy)
             ↓
          Human → Allow to comment
             ↓
          Comment submitted → Akismet analysis
             ↓
          Spam? → Spam folder (Akismet)
             ↓
          Legitimate → Published

This provides:

• 95%+ spam blocked before submission (WebDecoy)
• Remaining human spam filtered by content (Akismet)
• Dramatically reduced load on Akismet API

Pricing

Akismet

• Free: Personal blogs (non-commercial)
• Plus: $8.33/month (1 site)
• Enterprise: $41.67/month (unlimited sites)

WebDecoy

Combined Cost

For comprehensive protection:

• Akismet Plus: ~$8/month
• WebDecoy Starter: $59/month
• Total: ~$67/month for both layers

When to Use Each

Akismet Only If:

• Comment spam is your only problem
• Bots aren’t a concern
• Budget is very constrained
• You only need content filtering

WebDecoy Only If:

• Bots are your primary problem (scrapers, credential stuffing, etc.)
• You don’t have comment functionality
• You want to block automation before it acts
• Spam content from humans isn’t an issue

Both If:

• You have a WordPress site with significant traffic
• You face both bot spam and occasional human spam
• Defense in depth is worth ~$67/month
• You want spam blocked before submission

What WebDecoy Provides Beyond Spam

Akismet only handles comment spam. WebDecoy provides full bot detection:

1. Honeypots - Decoy Links and Endpoint Decoys catch bots
2. TLS Fingerprinting - JA3/JA4 detects automation tools
3. Vision AI Detection - FCaptcha catches GPT-4V, Claude Computer Use
4. IP Enrichment - AbuseIPDB, GreyNoise, IPQualityScore
5. Geographic Consistency - Timezone/language/IP correlation
6. Behavioral Analysis - Mouse entropy, keystrokes, form timing
7. SIEM Integration - Splunk, Elastic, CrowdStrike

Get Started

Need bot detection? Start a WebDecoy trial to block automated spam before it’s submitted.

WordPress site? WebDecoy integrates via SDK alongside your existing Akismet setup.

Questions? Contact us to discuss your spam and bot problems.