FAQ
short answers.
The questions buyers ask most. Setup problems are in Troubleshooting.
01Frequently asked
Does this hurt my Google ranking?
Not with the default settings. Search engines are allowed, fake search bots are detected by the official IP lists and DNS, and humans are never touched. Blocking the "Search engines" intent would remove your site from search results; the screen warns you.
Does blocking training crawlers stop my content from being used for AI?
It stops the bots CryptoMeter recognises from reading pages that reach WordPress, and tells well-behaved crawlers not to crawl (robots.txt) and not to train (signals). It cannot stop bots that disguise themselves as browsers, content copied elsewhere, or data collected before you installed it.
Does robots.txt stop AI bots?
Only the ones that respect it. CryptoMeter writes the rules, enforces Block with HTTP 403, and shows which bots requested disallowed URLs (Ignored robots.txt).
Why are my referral numbers so low?
Many AI apps hide the referrer, so the numbers are a minimum. They are still useful for comparing companies and posts over time.
Does any data leave my site?
No visitor data. CryptoMeter downloads public IP lists and a public key directory, asks your server's DNS resolver about bot IPs and, with Monetize, talks to your facilitator when an agent pays. See External services.
Do I need Monetize or a crypto wallet?
No. Monetize is off by default; everything else works without it.
Which AI companies pay today?
Any client that implements x402 can pay. Large crawlers mostly do not pay yet. We make no earnings promises.
Where does the money go, and does the plugin hold funds?
Straight to the wallet you enter, as USDC on the network the agent chose. The agent signs, the facilitator submits, your wallet receives. The plugin stores only your public address.
Can I let one AI company in (for example a licensing partner)?
Set that bot to Allow on Bots & rules. With Monetize, you can also add its IP ranges under Access rules so it reads free.
Does it work with my page cache or CDN?
Yes, if the cache lets AI bots reach WordPress. Use the snippets and the loopback test.
What happens to my data if I remove the plugin?
Settings, log and statistics are deleted; the payment ledger is kept unless you set CRYPTOMETER_DELETE_LEDGER.