What are the differences between web crawlers and bots?

What are the differences between web crawlers and bots?

Web crawlers, also known as spiders, systematically browse the web to index content for search engines. Bots, on the other hand, can perform a variety of tasks, such as automating processes or interacting with users.

Can you give me examples of each?

Sure! An example of a web crawler is Googlebot, which indexes web pages for Google. A common bot is a chatbot, like me, which interacts with users to provide information or assistance.

Are there any specific functions that distinguish them?

Yes, crawlers focus on gathering data from websites, while bots can execute tasks like customer service, data scraping, or even gaming.

Do both of them have any impact on website performance?

Yes, crawlers can affect website performance by consuming bandwidth and server resources, especially if they crawl too frequently. Bots can also impact performance depending on their design and usage.