Blind submissions capture form interaction data without requiring users to submit the form. This guide explains how to set up blind submissions in Formulayt.
Understanding Blind Submissions
A blind submission is a form submission that occurs on the page when the user interacts with content without first interacting with a form. The user is not aware the submission is occurring. Typically, the submission data consists of pre-populated or previously submitted information, as well as any hidden fields. This is useful when you want to record data for analytics and reporting but do not want to affect the customer journey.
Requirements for Blind Submissions
A blind submission will only be raised under the conditions as follows:
- The gate must be protecting content a user can interact with
- The gate must be open (see gate behaviour)
- The minimum user data requirements must be met
This final point is configured at the account level, for most accounts only the email address is required. Note that form validation and mandatory fields have no impact on whether or not blind submissions will occur.
Gate Behavior Settings
To set up an open gate go to the relevant gate and open the gating tab where you will find a set of behaviours.
Gate Behaviour is primarily focused on configuring how a gate opens and closes i.e. when the form is shown and when it isn't. Understanding these gate behaviour options and using them effectively can have a positive impact on UX.
Typical Options
- This gate should always be open
- Once submitted by the user, this gate should stay open for the rest of their visit
- Once submitted by the user, this gate should stay open for subsequent visits
- Open this gate if all required fields on this form type have previously been filled out
- Open this gate if another gate in the same group has been submitted by the user
Additional Criteria for Gate Opening
To configure additional criteria goto Settings > Forms. If active, you can specify additional criteria that, if met, will prevent a gate from opening based on user data when that settings is active on a gate. This can be combined with field rules to meet your specific requirements.
Gate Types and Behaviors
Gates that do not deliver content, such as General, Event and Webinar gates, cannot utilise gate behaviours and will never raise blind form submissions. This is because there is nothing for the user to interact with on the gate other than the form itself, and therefore no way of recording a content consumption.
A blind submission can only be raised on a gate type that raises a consumption event, the table below explains the behaviour of open gates.
Submission Limitations
Each gate can only raise one blind form submission within a single page load, so for example even if a PDF is downloaded multiple times on a single page load there will still only be one blind submission.
Have questions about blind submissions or need assistance with configuration? Our support team is here to help. Click "+ New Support Ticket" to connect with our technical experts.