What is GPTBot?

What is GPTBot?

GPTBot is OpenAI's web crawler responsible for collecting data that improves ChatGPT and other AI models. When ChatGPT uses its browsing feature to answer questions with current information, GPTBot-indexed content becomes a potential source for recommendations.

GPTBot User-Agent Strings

GPTBot identifies itself with specific user-agent strings:

GPTBot/1.0 (+https://openai.com/gptbot)
ChatGPT-User

The GPTBot agent crawls for training data, while ChatGPT-User represents real-time browsing when users ask ChatGPT to search the web.

How GPTBot Crawling Works

Crawl Behavior:

Respects robots.txt directives

Follows standard HTTP protocols

Crawls at moderate rates (less aggressive than Googlebot)

Focuses on text content, not images or videos

May not execute JavaScript fully

IP Ranges:

OpenAI publishes GPTBot IP ranges at openai.com/gptbot. You can verify legitimate GPTBot visits by checking if the crawler IP falls within these ranges.

Configuring robots.txt for GPTBot

To allow GPTBot (recommended for AI visibility):

User-agent: GPTBot
Allow: /
User-agent: ChatGPT-User
Allow: /

To block GPTBot (prevents ChatGPT from accessing your content):

User-agent: GPTBot
Disallow: /
User-agent: ChatGPT-User
Disallow: /

To allow specific sections only:

User-agent: GPTBot
Allow: /blog/
Allow: /products/
Disallow: /internal/

GPTBot vs Training Data vs Browsing

Understanding the distinction is crucial:

ModeSourceTimingrobots.txt Impact Training DataHistorical web crawlsPre-training cutoffAffects future models Browsing ModeReal-time searchLive queriesImmediate impact

Blocking GPTBot affects both:

Training: Your content won't inform future ChatGPT knowledge

Browsing: ChatGPT can't access your site when users ask it to search

Verifying GPTBot Visits in Server Logs

Check your server logs for GPTBot activity:

grep "GPTBot" /var/log/nginx/access.log
grep "ChatGPT-User" /var/log/nginx/access.log

Look for entries like:

20.15.240.x - - [15/Jan/2026:10:23:45 +0000] "GET /products/ HTTP/1.1" 200 12543 "-" "GPTBot/1.0 (+https://openai.com/gptbot)"

Common Mistakes with GPTBot

1. Accidentally blocking GPTBot

Many sites copied robots.txt configurations that block AI crawlers without understanding the implications. Check your robots.txt specifically for GPTBot rules.

2. Blocking GPTBot but expecting ChatGPT visibility

If you block GPTBot, don't expect ChatGPT to recommend your brand—it literally cannot access your content.

3. Not distinguishing GPTBot from ChatGPT-User

Some sites block GPTBot (training) but forget ChatGPT-User (browsing). For maximum visibility, allow both.

4. Assuming Googlebot rules cover GPTBot

GPTBot is separate from Googlebot. Allowing Googlebot doesn't automatically allow GPTBot—you need explicit rules.

Why Allow GPTBot?

For brands seeking AI visibility:

ChatGPT can cite your content in browsing mode

Your information may inform ChatGPT's knowledge in future training

You remain visible when users ask ChatGPT for recommendations

The tradeoff: your content may be used to train AI models. Most businesses find the visibility benefits outweigh this concern.

Monitoring GPTBot Activity

Track GPTBot's behavior on your site:

Check server logs weekly for crawl patterns

Monitor which pages GPTBot accesses most

Ensure important pages aren't blocked

Verify response codes (200s indicate successful crawls)

Tools like BrandVector help monitor whether your GPTBot configuration results in actual ChatGPT visibility.