Wix Robots.txt Scam Alert: Why This Email Isn’t From Wix (and How to Protect Your Website)
- 10com Web Development
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
A New Twist on an Old Scam
Scammers targeting Wix website owners are getting more creative. Recently, we’ve seen fake “Wix Security” emails claiming your site’s robots.txt file is misconfigured, warning that your account is out of compliance and at risk of losing visibility.
Let’s be clear: this is 100% fake. Wix automatically manages robots.txt files, and they are non-editable in standard Wix sites. Even in Wix Studio (advanced editor), the file can be adjusted, but Wix warns that editing it incorrectly can cause indexing issues. Most importantly, robots.txt has nothing to do with account compliance, suspension, or security.
Example Scam Message
Here’s an excerpt from a recent phishing email sent to a Wix site owner (personal details removed):
Case ID: #SEC-22346-RT
Dear Merchant,After a thorough review, we’ve identified a misconfiguration in your site’s robots.txt file. This constitutes a violation of Wix’s SEO and accessibility guidelines, specifically Article 6.4 – Improper Use of Crawling Directives.
Security Level: Critical
Compliance: Failed
For assistance, please contact Sarah, a verified Wix SEO and compliance consultant, at sarah.wixsolution@gmail.com.
At first glance, it may look convincing, but every element is designed to scare you into contacting a fake “consultant.”
Why This Email Is a Scam
Fake Email Address – Wix never communicates through Gmail accounts. All legitimate Wix communication comes from @wix.com.
Non-Editable Robots.txt – In most Wix accounts, robots.txt is controlled by Wix. In advanced editors, it can be adjusted, but changes never affect security or compliance status.
Invented Policies – References to “Article 6.4” or a “Security Response Team” do not exist at Wix.
Urgent Scare Tactics – Phrases like “Security Level: Critical” and “Compliance Failed” are pressure tactics to trick you into quick action.
Third-Party Referral – Directing you to contact a random Gmail “consultant” is a hallmark of phishing scams. Wix will never outsource compliance or SEO issues this way.
Running List of Scam Email Addresses
Here are scam addresses we’ve documented across multiple phishing attempts:
If you receive a message from any of these senders or any Gmail account pretending to be Wix, treat it as untrustworthy.
Quick Tips: How to Spot a Fake Wix Email in 10 Seconds
Does the sender’s email end in @wix.com? If not, it is fake.
Does the message claim robots.txt, malware, or compliance failure? These are scam keywords.
Are you pushed to contact someone via Gmail or a phone number? That is not Wix.
Does it use urgent scare tactics like “Critical” or “Compliance Failed”? Red flag.
Does the message appear in your Wix Dashboard? If not, ignore it.
The Truth About Wix Robots.txt
Scam Claim: Robots.txt misconfiguration violates Wix compliance and may cause account suspension.
Reality: Robots.txt simply tells search engines which of your site’s pages to crawl or skip. It has nothing to do with compliance or security status.
It’s managed by Wix automatically.
Advanced users in Wix Studio can adjust it, but Wix warns changes may hurt SEO if done incorrectly.
Wix never emails clients demanding robots.txt fixes.
Official Resource: Wix Help – Editing Your Site’s Robots.txt File
How to Report These Scams to Wix
If received via Wix Inbox (contact form): Mark the message as spam directly in your Wix Dashboard.
If received via email: Forward the full message (with headers) to reportphishing@wix.com.
Check your dashboard: Any real notices from Wix will always appear inside your Wix account, not in a random email.
How to Protect Yourself
Verify the sender’s domain before clicking links.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Wix account.
Keep your apps and integrations up to date.
Educate your team about phishing attempts.
Remember: Wix websites are malware-free unless unapproved third-party code is added, and robots.txt files are locked down.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Wix Robots.txt Scam
1. Is this email really from Wix?
No. Wix does not send messages about robots.txt misconfigurations. This is a phishing scam.
2. Can I edit my Wix robots.txt file?
In most Wix accounts, no. In Wix Studio, yes — but it’s an advanced feature, and changes should be avoided unless you know exactly what you are doing.
3. What does Wix robots.txt actually do?
It tells search engines which pages to include or skip during crawling. It cannot affect compliance or security status.
4. What should I do if I received one of these emails?
Ignore it, delete it, and forward the message (with headers) to reportphishing@wix.com.
5. What if I already replied or clicked a link?
Immediately change your Wix account password, enable two-factor authentication, and contact Wix Support through your dashboard.
6. Can these scammers actually harm my site or deactivate my account?
No. Only Wix has the ability to change your account status, and they would notify you directly in your dashboard.
7. Are there other Wix scams I should know about?
Yes. Here are two other common ones we’ve exposed:
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