diff --git a/source/reference/connection-string.txt b/source/reference/connection-string.txt
index 86be4d2d21f..2b5130d2921 100644
--- a/source/reference/connection-string.txt
+++ b/source/reference/connection-string.txt
@@ -1233,8 +1233,10 @@ 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, :binary:`~bin.mongosh`
-       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 :binary:`~bin.mongosh`.
 
        .. versionadded:: 4.0