Integrating Google reCAPTCHA v3 with Contact Form 7 in WordPress A Step-by-Step Guide

Google reCAPTCHA v3 is a powerful tool to protect your WordPress website from spam and abuse while providing a seamless user experience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of implementing reCAPTCHA v3 in Contact Form 7, one of the most popular form plugins for WordPress.

Prerequisites

1. WordPress Website: Make sure you have a WordPress website with Contact Form 7 installed and activated.
2. Google reCAPTCHA API Keys: Obtain your reCAPTCHA API keys by creating a new site on the reCAPTCHA website. Choose reCAPTCHA v3 and specify the domain(s) where you’ll be using it.

Step 1: Install and Activate Contact Form 7

If you haven’t installed Contact Form 7 yet, navigate to your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New, search for “Contact Form 7,” and click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”

Step 2: Obtain reCAPTCHA API Keys

Visit the reCAPTCHA website and create a new site. Choose reCAPTCHA v3, enter your domain(s), and obtain the site key and secret key.

Step 3: Install and Activate reCAPTCHA for Contact Form 7

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
2. Search for “reCAPTCHA for Contact Form 7” and install the plugin.
3. Activate the plugin.

Step 4: Configure reCAPTCHA in Contact Form 7

1. Go to Contact > Integration in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Paste your reCAPTCHA v3 site key and secret key into the corresponding fields.
3. Save the changes.

Step 5: Update Contact Form 7

1. Open the Contact Form 7 form you want to protect.
2. Add the reCAPTCHA shortcode [recaptcha] at the desired location within the form.

Example:

Your Name (required)
   [text* your-name]

Your Email (required)
   [email* your-email]

Your Message
   [textarea your-message]

[recaptcha]

Step 6: Save and Test

Save your Contact Form 7 changes and preview your form. You should now see the reCAPTCHA badge, indicating that your form is protected by Google reCAPTCHA v3.