Ellipsis Technologies

Ellipsis Technologies operates in the web security sector, offering a specialized bot detection service known as Human Presence. The company's core technology is engineered to distinguish between human and automated traffic on websites, aiming to block malicious bots without degrading the user experience. This is achieved by moving away from traditional CAPTCHA tests, which research indicated could lead to significant user drop-off on e-commerce sites. The technology works invisibly in the background, analyzing behavioral data such as user timing and movement patterns against a proprietary database and machine learning algorithms to identify suspicious activity. This approach is designed to protect various web interactions, including comment sections, user reviews, and online forms, from spam and other malicious bot-driven activities.

The firm's business model is structured around a tiered subscription service, primarily targeting website owners and e-commerce businesses. Clients are typically small to midsize businesses, self-employed individuals, and web agencies that manage multiple websites. The service is delivered as a lightweight plugin compatible with major platforms like WordPress, Shopify, Magento, and Drupal, which simplifies integration for site owners without requiring coding knowledge. Pricing plans range from a free version with limited functionality to paid tiers for professional and agency use, with costs based on the number of sites and the volume of protection needed. Specific plans for e-commerce, such as "Shop Protector" for Shopify, offer features to prevent fake orders and checkout bots.

The development of Human Presence was initiated by Bill West, a serial entrepreneur who identified a company in Atlanta with a promising but unfunded technology. After consulting with the software development firm Kopis to evaluate its potential, West acquired the technology and founded Ellipsis Technologies to bring the product to market. The name "Ellipsis" itself was inspired by the team's frequent use of the three-dot punctuation in their communications, viewing it as a distinctly human element that a bot would not replicate. The company has successfully launched its product, which is now in use on a significant number of websites globally. While most reviews are positive, highlighting effective spam blocking and ease of use, some users have raised concerns about the lack of transparency in what is blocked and occasional compatibility issues.

Keywords: bot detection, spam protection, cybersecurity, user experience, machine learning security, e-commerce security, WordPress security, Shopify security, CAPTCHA alternative, form protection, web traffic analysis, behavioral biometrics, fraud prevention, checkout protection, website security, anti-spam plugin, malicious bot mitigation, user authentication, online form security, Human Presence