DataDome Report: Malicious Bot Traffic Outpaces Human Growth

VERA Brief

AI-generated. Grounded in the article and its cited sources.

A DataDome report shows malicious bot traffic increased by 124% from July 2025 to June 2026, far outpacing human traffic growth. Many popular websites were unable to block bots, indicating a growing challenge in distinguishing automated from human activity online.

Key facts

• Malicious automated traffic increased by 124% between July 2025 and June 2026.
• The growth rate of malicious bot traffic was more than nine times the rate of human traffic growth during the same period.
• A majority of popular websites tested could not prevent bots from accessing their platforms.
• The findings highlight a growing challenge in distinguishing automated from human user activity online.
• The ability of AI systems to generate sophisticated bots raises questions about online traffic data integrity and user engagement metrics.