Time: 2024-07-06
New research has revealed the scale of the growing problem of web scraping across some of the world 's biggest websites . Smartproxys report of the most scraped websites of 2024 claims social media pages make up more than one - quarter ( 27 % ) of the most scraped sites . During 2023 and the first three months of 2024 , bots were most interested in search engines like Google ( 42 % ) , however social media accounts and community forums collectively accounted for one - third ( 34 % ) of observed scraping instances.
Google is the most scraped website.
While alarming , many of the most scraped sites are thankfully not targets for personal data mining , with search engines and ecommerce leading the way . This trend showcases the critical need for real - time search data across various sectors , including the ever - growing AI field , where data plays a crucial role in training AI models , " Smartproxy CEO Vytautas Savickas said . Additionally , eCommerce platforms contribute to a large portion of most scraped targets , reflecting the industry 's push for competitive intelligence needed for dynamic pricing strategies.
Ecommerce sites , which make up around one - fifth ( 18 % ) of scraping requests , represent a growing segment . Smartproxy noted that shopping trends are emerging , and with consumers seeking more competitive prices , real - time data has become increasingly important . The report also details ecommerce scraping peaks , with shopping periods like Black Friday ( +64 % ) , Christmas ( +46 % ) and Amazon Prime Day ( +22 % ) all seeing considerable spikes . Businesses intensify their scraping efforts during these times to capture the value of data generated by the rush of online shoppers seeking discounts and special offers , Savickas added.
The increasing prevalence of web scraping poses challenges for online businesses , especially those in the ecommerce and social media sectors . As bots target popular websites for data extraction , companies must enhance their data protection measures to safeguard sensitive information . With the rise of Artificial intelligence and its reliance on data , the need for real - time search data and secure web traffic management has never been more critical . Akamai Technologies , a key player in web security and content delivery , continues to develop innovative solutions to combat web scraping and protect businesses from malicious bot activities . As the digital landscape evolves , businesses must adapt and implement robust cybersecurity measures to mitigate the risks associated with web scraping and ensure the integrity of their online operations.
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