Bot Protection

What is a bot?
Bots are automated programs that fake real consumer activity, primarily to join launches and purchase products with the intent to resell.

How do we verify submissions and screen out bots?
Nike uses a variety of tools to identify and remove them from the SNKRS platform including advanced analytics and machine learning to verify that users and entries are authentic. There is a team of Nike engineers dedicated to dismantling bots designed to game launches. We take bot protection extremely seriously, and critically evaluate launches both in real time, and retroactively, to evolve our defenses and remain a step ahead of bot developers.

Is this new for SNKRS?
No, it’s not. Nike and SNKRS have been defending launches against bots for about seven years, with significant accuracy and success. We have added new messaging within the launch process on SNKRS as part of an effort to provide more transparency about how we validate entries.

How many bots are identified and removed?
Depending on the popularity of a launch, bot attacks can make up about 10%-50% of all entries. Every month, Nike stops as many as 12 billion bot calls attempting to game SNKRS launches globally, and actively identifies accounts exhibiting bot activity during every launch. We have also taken measures within our Terms of Sale to address those who are leveraging bots and protect authentic users.

Does Nike remove all bots?
Nike is able to remove the majority of bots from all launches and is most aggressive and successful for the most popular launches as we know these are of prime importance to members. Nike remains on the offensive daily to ensure that our technology and tactics stay ahead of the game and verified, authentic community members have fair access to launches. Bot innovation is constantly evolving, therefore it is possible that a small fraction of bot entries may be successful for any given launch.

If launches are protected from bots, why don’t I see more W’s?
SNKRS features Nike's most coveted drops, and demand often greatly outweighs supply. Various factors impact how many pairs Nike makes of a given sneaker, but the goal is always the same: making sure our most popular product goes to real fans.

Exclusive Acess

What is Exclusive Access?

Exclusive Access on SNKRS is an invitation to access coveted products, outside of regular launches. The goal is always to reward Members with access to products they'll love. Granted, there are bad actors out there who try to game the system, and Exclusive Access has been specifically designed to take that fact into consideration. Read on to understand how Exclusive Access works, so you're prepared and informed.

Setting up multiple accounts could reduce the likelihood of obtaining Exclusive Access.

Setting up new "burner" accounts may result in blocked launch access. For the best opportunity to gain access, engage with launches on SNKRS using one account on one device.

There isn't any way to "tick all the boxes" and be guaranteed Exclusive Access.

The combination of factors used to determine Exclusive Access is constantly changing. Based on the amount of products available, there is always an element of luck added to the mix. As a result, receiving Exclusive Access is never guaranteed.

Act quickly when you receive Exclusive Access.

Receiving Exclusive Access does not mean a pair is reserved for you in your size—just that you get an opportunity to purchase the product outside of general launch. To avoid your size selling out before you've purchased, have SNKRS downloaded and push notifications enabled so that you're the first to know when you've received Exclusive Access. Also note that Exclusive Access is only available for a limited time.