Issue: Browser Automation Tool Blocked by Human Verification Challenges

[saadbhaldar1212]

📄 Description:

I'm currently working with the Browser Automation Tool within the Azure AI Foundry Agent Service and encountering persistent access issues when attempting to retrieve publicly available web content.

🔍 Problem Summary:

• Direct navigation to the target URL (https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights) consistently fails with browser errors.
• Bing search for 'McKinsey Retail Insights' triggers an endless human verification loop, preventing access to search results.
• Google search is blocked by reCAPTCHA image puzzles that do not advance, even after multiple attempts.

🧭 Current State:

• The Bing homepage is accessible after solving the initial verification challenge, but the search functionality remains blocked.
• Attempts to reinitiate the search for 'McKinsey Retail Insights' result in repeated verification prompts.
• No valid search results have been retrieved so far. All direct and search-based access routes are currently blocked.

🛠️ What I’ve Tried:

• Solved Bing’s “Verify you are human” checkbox challenge successfully.
• Reached Bing homepage with the search bar ready, but search attempts do not execute.
• Repeated attempts to bypass reCAPTCHA on Google have failed.
• No alternative access paths have yielded successful results.

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🔁 To Reproduce:

1. Use Azure AI Foundry Agent Service with the Browser Automation Tool.
2. Attempt direct navigation to https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights.
3. Observe repeated browser errors.
4. Attempt Bing search for 'McKinsey Retail Insights'.
5. Encounter persistent human verification challenge.
6. Attempt Google search for the same term.
7. Observe reCAPTCHA image puzzles that do not resolve.

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✅ Expected Behaviour:

• Direct navigation to the McKinsey Retail Insights page should load successfully without browser errors.
• Bing and Google search should return valid results without triggering persistent human verification or reCAPTCHA loops.
• Browser Automation Tool should be able to complete the search and retrieve the required article data.

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❗ Request for Help:

Has anyone encountered similar issues with automated browser workflows being blocked by human verification or reCAPTCHA challenges? Are there recommended strategies or configurations within Azure AI Foundry to:

• Bypass or solve these challenges programmatically?
• Handle verification loops gracefully?
• Retry failed navigation attempts with alternate headers or agents?

Any guidance, workaround, or shared experience would be greatly appreciated!

[amynic]

Thanks for the feedback @saadbhaldar1212 and discussion so far. Here's a summary to help clarify how and when to use browser automation effectively:

✅ Recommended Use Cases
Browser automation (CUA) works best for simple, structured interactions—like filling out and submitting forms—where the model can reliably navigate the UI.

⚠️ Limitations
Website Restrictions: If a site blocks crawling or scraping, browser automation tools will not work. This is a limitation of the site’s terms and technical controls, not the automation tool itself.

Scenario Fit: For broader or more complex tasks, consider alternatives like Grounding with Bing, which may offer better flexibility and compliance.

📌 Given this conversation we will add more detail to our docs and FAQ on this topic - thank you for sharing