If you spend a decent amount of time using the internet – you’re bound to have come across image CAPTCHA’s, the challenge tests where you must type the words or text found in an image – into a form field. These have been used rather effectively over the past few years in helping to combat automated bot spamming.

The problem now? CAPTCHAs are beginning to effectively frustrate and keep genuine users away from online services – as the images, in some cases, are becoming increasingly difficult to decipher. Do you type all letters in capitals? Is there a space needed between words? Or, is that a zero or an O?

At what point do webmasters realize their CAPTCHA’s are too distorted? Would it be possible for webmasters to begin looking for other methods in helping to keep spammers away from forms?

I find myself more and more often using the audio versions of CAPTCHA’s, as in some cases its literally impossible to make out and decode the text in the image.

For example, a few days ago I wanted to sign up for an online service, but was disgruntled to find that it took me six separate tries in solving the CAPTCHA – before I finally figured out the message. In this case, it was even more frustrating of a situation due to the lack of an audio sound bite. If I wasn’t sincerely interested in this product/service – I would have quite after the third or fourth try.

What have been your experiences with image verification tests? Have you too noticed the increased difficulty in reading their messages?

Share with us your thoughts, opinions, and complaints.