Form Input Method

Feature Snapshot

Summary:
Form Input Method in TrustedForm is a data point provided by TrustedForm Insights that records how a consumer enters information on a lead form—whether by manually typing in each character, using browser autofill features, or via copy‑paste actions.

Key Benefits:

• Provides clear visibility into consumer interactions with your forms
• Helps detect anomalous or potentially fraudulent input behavior
• Enables more informed lead scoring and filtering when combined with additional metrics like keystrokes per minute

Typical Use Cases:

• Filtering out leads that exclusively use the paste method
• Enhancing lead quality analysis by correlating input methods with typing speed metrics
• Optimizing form design and user experience through analysis of consumer data entry patterns

How the Form Input Method works

TrustedForm’s script embedded on your web page monitors and records the discrete input events as a consumer fills out a form. It classifies these actions into distinct values—such as “typing” when data is entered one character at a time, “autofill” when the browser automatically populates fields, and “paste” when data is inserted via copy‑paste. The resulting certificate metadata field, form_input_method, holds an array of one or more of these values. On some mobile devices or under limited browser conditions, the field may return as null or an empty list.

Step‑by‑Step Instructions

1. Embed the TrustedForm Script:
    Ensure that the TrustedForm Certify or Insights Javascript snippet is installed on the webpage hosting your lead form.

2. Use TrustedForm Insights:
    Make a request to TrustedForm Insights using the certificate generated for each lead and request the form_input_method property.

3. Interpret the Returned Array:
    Review the form_input_method field; for example, an array containing [ “typing”, “autofill” ] indicates that the consumer both manually typed and used the browser’s autofill feature during form completion.

Expected Result:
The form_input_method field will be populated with one or more of the following values: “typing”, “autofill”, or “paste”. An empty or null value may indicate that no detectable input events were recorded, particularly on mobile devices.

Best Practices

• Combine with Typing Speed Metrics:
   Use form_input_method data alongside metrics such as keystrokes per minute (KPM) and words per minute (WPM) for a more comprehensive assessment of lead authenticity.

• Set Appropriate Acceptance Criteria:
   Consider flagging or rejecting leads that rely solely on the “paste” method, as this may indicate fraudulent or low-quality entries.

• Account for Mobile Limitations:
   Recognize that mobile devices may not reliably trigger traditional input events; supplement with alternative behavioral signals when evaluating these leads.

Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What does the “typing” input method indicate?
A: It indicates that the consumer manually entered their data one character at a time, suggesting genuine and engaged input.

Q: Why might the form_input_method field be empty?
A: Mobile devices or certain browsers may not trigger all expected input events, resulting in an empty or null field.

Q: Can a single lead session contain more than one input method?
A: Yes. If a consumer both types and uses autofill or paste in different fields, the form_input_method field will list all detected methods.

Q: How can I use form input method data to improve lead quality?
A: By analyzing the input method in conjunction with metrics like KPM/WPM, you can set thresholds to reject leads that exhibit suspicious behavior—such as exclusively pasting data—thus enhancing overall lead quality.

Glossary