diff --git a/source/reference/connection-string.txt b/source/reference/connection-string.txt
index 34fedec001e..49c4a24f757 100644
--- a/source/reference/connection-string.txt
+++ b/source/reference/connection-string.txt
@@ -1214,8 +1214,11 @@ Miscellaneous Configuration
        - the :data:`system.profile.appName` field in the :doc:`database
          profiler </reference/database-profiler>` output.
 
-       If you do not specify a custom app name, the :binary:`~bin.mongo`
-       shell uses the default "``MongoDB Shell``".
+       The :urioption:`appName` connection option is only applicable
+       when provided to a :ecosystem:`MongoDB Driver </>`. This
+       parameter has no effect when supplied to a client application
+       such as :compass:`MongoDB Compass </>` or the
+       :binary:`~bin.mongo` shell.
 
        .. versionadded:: 4.0