opinion

Closing the Door

I’ve started a thread on the XBIZ boards about what to do with seriously shitty traffic; such as the Russian spammers that are hitting my mainstream board on a daily basis. There’s been some good suggestions on this thread and it’s also opened up a broader discussion; but I thought that I’d share with you one of the ways in which I’m dealing with my problem – a way in which you too can easily provide your sites with a cleaner inflow of traffic.

The basis of this approach is that it’s better to prevent problems than to fix them, so to that end; I’ll attempt to block the offending visitors at the server level, preventing them from ever entering my site. The main tool for doing this is a geo-IP redirect added to my .htaccess file:

• Asian:
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^CN$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^HK$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^MO$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^MY$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^SG$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^TW$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://chinese.url [R,L]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^JP$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://japanese.url [R,L]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^KP$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^KR$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://korean.url [R,L]

• Illegal and/or High Fraud:
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^AE$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^AF$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^AL$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^AM$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^AZ$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^BG$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^BH$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^BR$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^BY$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^CR$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^CU$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^CZ$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^EE$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^EG$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^GE$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^HR$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^HU$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^ID$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^IL$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^IN$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^IQ$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^IR$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^JO$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^KG$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^KH$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^KW$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^KZ$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^LA$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^LB$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^LT$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^LV$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^LY$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^MD$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^OM$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^PH$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^PK$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^QA$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^RO$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^RU$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^SA$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^SD$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^SI$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^SK$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^SY$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^TH$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^TJ$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^TM$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^TN$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^TR$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^UA$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^UZ$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^VN$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^YE$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{ENV:GEOIP_COUNTRY_CODE} ^YU$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://garbage.url [R,L]

This code, which you can copy and paste, allows for separate targeting of Asian traffic with redirects to Chinese, Japanese and Korean websites, while blocking “high fraud” countries, redirecting them to a “garbage” URL.

You can find a list of the country codes that you'll need to build your own list here.

As I said, this is the main tool, but not necessarily the only tool. Criminals will often use proxy and other no-referrer means of hitting your site and this must be dealt with as well, but that’s a story for another day.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

Xgen Products CEO Andy Green Reflects on Company's 15 Years

Reflecting upon the past 15 years, during which XGEN Products grew from a relatively small distributor into a multi-brand manufacturer and pleasure biz powerhouse with 20 of its own brands and 3,000 items it sells worldwide, CEO Andy Green’s expression is nearly one of disbelief.

Colleen Godin ·
trends

AI Is Coming: A Look at What's Ahead and Its Implications

The AI era has dawned, and the impact of this technology is beginning to be felt in the online adult industry. We are already seeing a plethora of content, synthetic interactions and customizable avatars enabled by artificial intelligence.

Alejandro Freixes ·
opinion

A Guide to Sustainable Pleasure Product Merchandising

Sustainable practices are no longer merely an option for the pleasure industry, but an imperative response to consumer expectations. Just as in other sectors, the resounding call for sustainability has reached unprecedented levels.

Eric Lee ·
opinion

Navigating Fraud Prevention in Credit Card Transactions

In the digital age, credit card transactions are essential to global commerce, providing unmatched convenience for consumers and businesses alike. With this convenience, however, comes the risk of credit card fraud, which can result in considerable financial losses and harm brand reputation.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

A Guide to Avoiding Scams in Hard Link Media Buying

‘If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” So cautionary wisdom reminds us, yet people still get scammed all the time. Fortunately, there are “red flags” you can watch for to help you identify scams and thereby avoid them.

Juicy Jay ·
opinion

The Dos and Don'ts of AI-Generated Content

AI is a hot topic. From automation to personal assistance to content generation, AI technology is already impacting our daily lives. Many industries, including adult, have had positive results using AI for customer support and marketing.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Retailer Tips for STI Awareness Month

Adult retail isn’t all fun and flirty games. We love helping folks navigate pleasure and desire for themselves and with their partners, but brick-and-mortar staff are also on the front lines for myriad educational opportunities — especially in April, which is Sexually Transmitted Infections Awareness Month.

Rin Musick ·
opinion

Strategic Upscaling of Non-4K Content

If content is king in adult, then technical quality is the throne upon which it sits. Technical quality drives customer acquisition and new sales, while cementing retention and long-term loyalty.

Brad Mitchell ·
opinion

A Look at the Evolution of Pleasure-Enhancing Pumps

Even though the pleasure industry is famously innovative, most “new” products are still ultimately reimagined versions of previous ones. They expand on the core idea by introducing a new feature or solution that takes the original concept to a new level of sensation, functionality or convenience.

Rebecca Weinberg ·
profile

AEBN Reflects on 25 Years of Innovation, Success

Reflecting on 25 years of success, AEBN honchos Jay Strowd and Bishop Wages harken back to 1999, when the company that would become a storied brand first broke away from an online DVD/VHS mail-order business to evolve as an entity solely dedicated to streaming video.

Alejandro Freixes ·
Show More