Fair Use Policy

1. Introduction

This Fair Use Policy ("Policy") defines reasonable usage limits for RobotSense.io's services to ensure fair access and optimal performance for all users. This Policy applies to all subscription tiers and is part of our Terms and Conditions.

We offer "unlimited" features on certain plans, but these are subject to fair use principles to prevent abuse and ensure service quality for everyone. This Policy explains what constitutes fair use and what happens if limits are exceeded.

2. Fair Use Principles

Fair use means using our Service in a manner that:

• Is reasonable: Usage patterns are consistent with typical business or personal needs
• Does not abuse resources: You're not intentionally overloading our systems
• Respects other users: Your usage doesn't degrade service quality for others
• Follows best practices: You implement caching, rate limiting, and error handling
• Aligns with your plan: Usage is appropriate for your subscription tier
• Is legitimate: Usage is for genuine business purposes, not artificial load testing

3. API Usage Limits

3.1 Rate Limits

All API plans include rate limits to ensure fair resource allocation. Rate limits vary by subscription tier and are designed to accommodate typical usage patterns while preventing system abuse.

Rate limits are measured per second, per hour, and per day. Your specific limits are displayed in your account dashboard and included in API response headers.

3.2 Monthly Request Quotas

Plans with "unlimited" API calls are subject to fair use. We define reasonable usage based on typical customer patterns and industry standards.

If your usage significantly exceeds typical thresholds for your plan tier, we may contact you to discuss upgrading your plan or optimizing your integration.

3.3 Burst Limits

We allow reasonable bursts above your rate limit for short periods to accommodate traffic spikes. However, sustained high traffic that consistently exceeds your rate limit may be throttled or require a plan upgrade.

4. Storage and Data Retention

Storage limits apply to bot detection logs, analytics data, and historical records. Retention periods and storage quotas vary by subscription tier.

Your current plan's storage limits and retention periods are displayed in your account dashboard. Logs older than your retention period are automatically deleted.

If you need longer retention or additional storage, please contact us to discuss upgrade options or export your logs before they expire.

5. Feature-Specific Limits

Different subscription tiers include varying limits for features such as:

• Domains and Projects: Number of domains and projects you can manage
• Team Members: Number of users who can access your account
• Custom Rules: Number of custom detection rules and patterns
• Webhooks and Integrations: Number of webhook endpoints and third-party integrations

Your specific feature limits are detailed in your subscription plan documentation and visible in your account dashboard.

6. Best Practices for Fair Use

To stay within fair use limits and optimize performance:

6.1 Implement Caching

• Cache bot verification results for at least 24 hours
• Cache provider information for 7 days or longer
• Use ETags and conditional requests to minimize bandwidth
• Store frequently accessed data locally

6.2 Optimize API Calls

• Batch requests when possible instead of making individual calls
• Use webhooks instead of polling for real-time updates
• Implement exponential backoff for retries (don't retry immediately)
• Only request data you actually need (use field filtering)
• Avoid making redundant calls for the same data

6.3 Handle Rate Limits

• Monitor rate limit headers in API responses
• Implement client-side rate limiting to stay under quotas
• Queue requests and spread them over time
• Handle 429 (Too Many Requests) errors gracefully

6.4 Monitor Your Usage

• Check your usage dashboard regularly
• Set up alerts for when you approach limits
• Review logs to identify optimization opportunities
• Plan capacity for traffic spikes

7. What Happens If You Exceed Limits

7.1 Soft Limits (Warnings)

If you approach or slightly exceed fair use thresholds, we will:

• Send you an email notification with usage details
• Provide recommendations for optimization
• Suggest upgrading to a higher tier if appropriate
• Give you time to adjust your usage patterns

7.2 Hard Limits (Enforcement)

If you significantly or repeatedly exceed limits, we may:

• Throttle requests: Apply rate limiting to bring usage into compliance
• Require upgrade: Ask you to upgrade to a plan that accommodates your usage
• Suspend service: Temporarily suspend API access until the issue is resolved
• Additional charges: Bill overage fees for excessive usage (with prior notice)
• Terminate account: In cases of severe or intentional abuse

7.3 Overage Fees

For Professional and Enterprise plans, overage fees may apply if you exceed quotas:

• Overage rates will be specified in your subscription agreement
• We will notify you before charging overage fees
• You can set overage limits to prevent unexpected charges
• Free and Starter plans do not incur overage fees (service is throttled instead)

8. Exemptions and Special Cases

8.1 Traffic Spikes

We understand that legitimate traffic can spike unexpectedly. Temporary spikes due to:

• Major product launches or marketing campaigns
• Viral content or sudden popularity
• Seasonal traffic variations
• Media coverage or events

...will be accommodated within reason. Please contact us in advance if you anticipate significant traffic increases.

8.2 DDoS and Attacks

If you experience a DDoS attack or bot flood that causes excessive API usage, please contact us immediately. We will work with you to mitigate the attack and won't penalize you for usage spikes caused by attacks.

8.3 Testing and Development

Reasonable testing and development usage is permitted. However, load testing, stress testing, or artificial traffic generation should be discussed with us in advance and may require a separate test environment.

9. Usage Monitoring and Transparency

We provide tools to help you monitor and manage your usage:

• Usage dashboard: Real-time view of your API calls, storage, and other metrics
• Usage alerts: Email notifications when you reach certain thresholds
• Usage reports: Detailed monthly usage reports and analytics
• API headers: Rate limit information in every API response
• Support access: Contact our support team for usage optimization advice

10. Questions and Upgrades

If you have questions about fair use or need to discuss higher limits, please contact us.

We're here to help you succeed. If you're approaching limits, let's discuss options to ensure uninterrupted service.