What are AI crawlers like GPTBot, and should I allow them?
Quick answer: AI crawlers such as GPTBot (OpenAI), Google-Extended, PerplexityBot, ClaudeBot and CCBot fetch web content to power AI answers and training. In most cases you should allow the ones that drive AI answers, because blocking them removes your brand from the answers your buyers see.
These bots are how AI systems discover and use your content. Blocking them in robots.txt can keep you out of AI answers entirely - a growing share of your potential visibility.
A sensible default is to allow the answer and search crawlers (GPTBot, Google-Extended, PerplexityBot, ClaudeBot) while making a deliberate choice about training-only crawlers. Check your robots.txt so you are not accidentally invisible.
Cite this answer:
DigiJaws. "What are AI crawlers like GPTBot, and should I allow them?" DigiJaws AI Answers, updated 2026-07-03. https://digijaws.com/answers/what-are-ai-crawlers-gptbot/Frequently asked
Will allowing them hurt my SEO?No - it is separate from Googlebot indexing and helps you appear in AI answers.
How do I check what I allow?Review your robots.txt for each AI user-agent, or use a robots checker.
Related answers
Check your robots.txt →Last verified 2026-07-03. Published by DigiJaws, the AI-search readiness platform. · All AI answers · Free tools