What should I do if FederalRegister.gov says my request looks automated?
If FederalRegister.gov says your request looks automated, the notice’s instruction for a human user is to complete the CAPTCHA before requesting access.
The direct next step
Use the CAPTCHA shown on the notice. Once you pass it, follow the page’s access request process.
The notice says requests flagged as automated may be limited because of scraping activity. That does not mean every blocked reader is using a bot; it means the site’s system has treated the request pattern as automated-looking.
If access still does not work
The notice says IP access help is available through the Site Help button. Use that route if the problem appears tied to your IP access.
The provided context does not include a phone number, email address, review timeline, or guaranteed fix time, so do not assume one. Check the live Federal Register notice for the current instructions if the page changes.
How should developers access FederalRegister.gov or eCFR.gov data programmatically?
Developers seeking programmatic access should use the official API documentation for FederalRegister.gov or eCFR.gov, according to the access notice.
Use the documentation for the site you need
The notice points programmatic users toward API documentation for:
- FederalRegister.gov
- eCFR.gov
That is the confirmed path for developers in the provided context. The notice does not include technical setup details, sample requests, credentials, or rate information.
Why page scraping may cause problems
The notice says automated-looking requests may be limited because of scraping activity. If a script or tool is repeatedly requesting regular web pages, it may trigger those restrictions.
For a developer, the practical answer is to stop treating the public page like the data interface and follow the official API route instead.
What to check next
The exact developer steps are not included in the provided notice text. Before changing a production workflow, confirm the latest instructions in the official FederalRegister.gov or eCFR.gov API documentation linked from the notice.
Why might CAPTCHA checks appear again on FederalRegister.gov or eCFR.gov?
CAPTCHA checks may appear again when FederalRegister.gov or eCFR.gov detects activity that looks automated. The notice connects these limits to scraping activity.
Why you may see another CAPTCHA
The confirmed reason is automated-looking traffic. If the site flags the request pattern, it may ask for another CAPTCHA check before allowing access.
The provided context does not explain the exact detection rules. It does not say whether a specific browser, network, refresh pattern, tool, or number of requests causes the check.
What human users should do
If you are browsing manually, pass the CAPTCHA and request access through the page. If the issue appears related to IP access, the notice says help is available through the Site Help button.
What programmatic users should do
If a script or automated system is involved, the notice points users to the FederalRegister.gov and eCFR.gov API documentation. That is the route the notice identifies for programmatic access.
Because CAPTCHA and access controls may be updated, rely on the current official notice rather than older instructions copied elsewhere.
Sources / Learn more
Related reading
- What should I do if the Federal Register page for this petition only shows an access-limitation or CAPTCHA notice?; How can developers access FederalRegister.gov or eCFR.gov data without being blocked for automated scraping?; Are the SEC items shown alongside this Federal Register result related to the invalid specimen determinations petition?
- What should I do if the Federal Register notice page for FAR Part 11 Requirements shows an access-limit or CAPTCHA message?; How can human users request access when FederalRegister.gov flags a request as potentially automated?
- What should I do if FederalRegister.gov or eCFR.gov asks me to complete a CAPTCHA?; How can I request help if I keep having CAPTCHA problems on FederalRegister.gov or eCFR.gov?; Why do FederalRegister.gov and eCFR.gov limit programmatic access to developer APIs?
- How can readers access the Federal Register notice if FederalRegister.gov shows an automated-request limit page?; What should a human user do after being flagged as a potentially automated request on FederalRegister.gov?; How can developers use Federal Register API documentation for programmatic access?
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