The Copy-Paste Problem: Why Users Fill Forms with Fake Data

You check your latest form submissions and see it again: "test@test.com," "John Doe," and "123 Main Street."

This happens to everyone. Studies show that 40% of form submissions contain deliberately fake information. But users aren't trying to mess with you. They're protecting themselves.

Why People Use Fake Information

When someone types "asdf" into your name field, they know exactly what they're doing. Here's what's going through their head:  "I just want the download, not 50 sales emails." "This looks like it's going to spam me." "Why do they need my real phone number for a PDF?"

People have learned that giving real information often leads to problems they don't want. So they've developed ways to protect themselves: fake emails, burner phone numbers, and creative answers to required fields.

What Fake Data Actually Costs You

Here's what happens when half your submissions are garbage:

• You waste time calling numbers that don't exist
• Your email deliverability tanks from all the bounces
• Your analytics show fake success while real leads slip away
• You miss out on people who wanted your offer but didn't trust your form

That "John Doe" submission represents a real person who was interested enough to visit your form but not comfortable enough to share real details.

The Trust Issue

People use fake data because they don't trust you yet. And honestly, can you blame them?

Look at what makes people suspicious:

• No explanation of why you need specific information
• Too many personal questions for what you're offering
• Missing privacy information or sketchy-looking domains
• Forms that feel like interrogations

How Modern Users Protect Themselves

Today's internet users are smart. They keep fake information ready to paste:

• "Sample Email" saved in their notes app
• Browser autofill loaded with placeholder data
• Standard fake responses for common questions

This isn't laziness. It's learned behavior from years of aggressive marketing.

Getting Real Information Instead

The solution isn't better validation. Users will just get more creative with their fake data. Instead, build forms that feel trustworthy:

Be upfront about usage: "We'll send your guide via email and nothing else."

Ask for less: Do you really need their company size for a content download?

Explain the why: "Phone number helps us send SMS delivery notifications."

Offer alternatives: Email required, phone optional.

When Fake Data Tells You Something Useful

Here's the weird part: fake data can tell you something useful. If you keep getting "test@test.com" submissions, people want what you're offering. They just don't trust your form yet.

This means:

• People want your offer, but don't trust your process
• Your value proposition works, but your data collection doesn't
• You're probably asking for too much information too early

As we covered in our support ticket guide, the problem often isn't what users give you but how you ask for it.

The FillyForm Solution

FillyForm sits on top of your existing forms and guides users through filling them out with AI-powered prompts. Instead of staring at a blank "Tell us about your project" field, users get step-by-step questions that help them craft real, detailed responses.

When people know what to write and how to structure their answers, they're more likely to give you genuine information instead of rushing through with placeholder text.

What You Can Do Right Now

Stop fighting fake data and start preventing it. Create forms that feel trustworthy and respectful.

Start by looking at your current forms. Ask yourself: "If I didn't know this company, would I give them my real email?" If the answer is no, you found your problem.

Users want to give you real information when they trust you'll use it right. Make that trust easy to give.