Puzzle Gates - An Anti-Scraping Experiment
What is this?
This is an experimental puzzle gate system designed to add a fun layer of protection against web scrapers and LLM training bots. The idea is simple: human readers solve a quick puzzle to access the content, while automated systems get stuck.
It's a novel idea that turns content protection into an engaging experience. Instead of annoying CAPTCHAs or paywalls, why not make accessing content... fun?
How it works
The system uses several layers of protection:
- Server-side validation with HTTP-only cookies prevents client-side bypassing
- Unique cryptographic keys generated per puzzle solve
- Multiple puzzle types from riddles to mini-games
- Flexible gating - gate entire posts or specific sections
- Fully extensible architecture for custom games
The Philosophy
The goal isn't perfect security - determined scrapers will always find a way. Instead, it's about:
- Adding friction that makes bulk scraping impractical
- Creating memorable experiences that make your content stand out
- Building engagement through interactive elements
- Having fun with your blog instead of treating it like a static document
Now, let's see it in action. Solve the riddle below to unlock the main article:
Loading puzzle...