# What is GPTBot?

> GPTBot is OpenAI's web crawler that collects pages that may be used to train its models. It's separate from OAI-SearchBot, which powers ChatGPT search.

_UK and US · Updated 2026-10-27 · Akkrev, https://akkrev.com/glossary/gptbot/_

**GPTBot** is the crawler OpenAI uses to gather web content that may be used to train future models. It identifies itself with "GPTBot" in its user agent, follows [robots.txt](https://akkrev.com/glossary/robots-txt/), and OpenAI publishes its IP ranges so sites can verify real visits.

## GPTBot is not ChatGPT search

OpenAI runs separate bots:

- **GPTBot** for training.
- **[OAI-SearchBot](https://akkrev.com/glossary/oai-searchbot/)** for the index behind ChatGPT search results and citations.
- **ChatGPT-User** for pages fetched live because a user asked.

A hotel can block GPTBot and still appear in ChatGPT search, as long as OAI-SearchBot is allowed. The reverse mistake, blocking OAI-SearchBot while meaning to block training, can quietly remove a hotel from ChatGPT answers.

## Should hotels allow it?

That's a business choice. Allowing it means future models may know more about the hotel. Blocking it has no effect on today's ChatGPT search results.

## Why it matters for AI visibility

GPTBot gathers data for OpenAI's models. OAI-SearchBot powers ChatGPT search. Know which one you're blocking before you block.

---

Akkrev gets hotels, restaurants and cafés recommended by AI assistants. Get started: https://akkrev.com/start/