Google reCAPTCHA

This documentation provides comprehensive instructions on enhancing spam protection for your registration and login forms through the incorporation of the free Google reCAPTCHA extension.

Installing & activating

To seamlessly integrate the Google reCAPTCHA extension into your site, follow the step-by-step process below:

  1. Download the plugin zip folder from the WordPress plugins catalog.
  2. Install the plugin by navigating to "Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin."
  3. On the upload plugin page, click the "Choose File" button and select the Google reCAPTCHA zip folder from your computer.
  4. Once the file um-recaptcha.zip appears on the screen, initiate the installation by clicking the "Install Now" button.
  5. Wait for the "Plugin Installed Successfully" message.
  6. Complete the activation by clicking the "Activate Plugin" link.

Site Key & Secret Key

Upon activation, you will be redirected to the installed plugins page with the following notice:

To use the reCAPTCHA on your website, generate the necessary API keys. If you already possess these keys, you can skip this section. If not, click the "Generate Your Site and Secret Key" button to be redirected to the official Google reCAPTCHA website.

Note: The reCAPTCHA will not display until you enter the keys. The incorrect key(s) will trigger an error on the forms where the reCAPTCHA should be.

Generating your Site Key & Secret Key

  1. Register your domain.
  2. Go to the v3 Admin Console and click the plus sign button to create a new Google reCAPTCHA for your site or go to this link: https://www.google.com/recaptcha/admin/create. You'll see the "Register a new site" form.
  3. Enter a label for this application (e.g., your site name).
  4. Choose the type of reCAPTCHA (v2 or v3). reCAPTCHA v3 is recommended.
  5. Enter your site's domain name (without httр:// or www prefix and without a forward slash / at the end).
  6. Add an additional owner if needed.
  7. Accept the reCAPTCHA Terms of Service.
  8. Click the "Submit" button.

Your application will be registered, copy your Site Key and Secret Key from the overview page. You may see these keys later in reCAPTCHA settings (under the gear icon) in the dropdown section "reCAPTCHA keys".

Extension settings

Once you have the required keys, you should enter these keys to the extension settings. Proceed as follows:

  1. Open your site and navigate to wp-admin > Ultimate Member > Settings > Extensions > Google reCAPTCHA.
  2. Enable the reCAPTCHA feature by checking on Enable Google reCAPTCHA checkbox.
  3. Select the type* of reCAPTCHA (v2 or v3) specified during your application in the reCAPTCHA type dropdown.
  4. Enter your Site Key and Secret Key in the next two settings.
  5. Save changes.

Note: Update the keys if you change the reCAPTCHA type. Keys generated for reCAPTCHA v2 don't work with reCAPTCHA v3.

Note: If you choose reCAPTCHA v3, the reCAPTCHA will be displayed at the right-bottom corner of the screen. Error messages appear in the form if a bot or AI submits the form.

Once the correct keys are entered, the reCAPTCHA will appear in your registration and login forms. Additional settings are available to toggle the reCAPTCHA feature in the Password Reset form and on default WordPress forms.

Turn On/Off reCAPTCHA for Certain Forms

The extension provides the flexibility to show or hide the reCAPTCHA on a performance basis. Follow these steps:

  1. Edit the desired form by going to wp-admin > Ultimate Member > Forms.
  2. Choose the desired form and click Edit.
  3. In the Google reCAPTCHA widget, toggle the feature on or off.
  4. Update the form.

Setup Complete

Congratulations! You have successfully added the official Google reCAPTCHA to your site. For any further inquiries about this extension, feel free to ask in the Google reCAPTCHA extension forum.