# DuckDuckBot

> DuckDuckBot is DuckDuckGo's crawler for building the index its search and answers draw on. Here's how to recognize it and check a request really is it.

## DuckDuckBot facts

- **Operator:** DuckDuckGo
- **Type:** Crawler
- **Why it fetches:** Builds a search or answer index
- **User agent contains:** `DuckDuckBot`
- **Verified by:** published IP ranges
- **Operator's documentation:** [duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/results/duckduckbot](https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/results/duckduckbot)

## How to tell a real DuckDuckBot from an impostor

Anyone can put "DuckDuckBot" in a user agent. What can't be faked is below.

- **Check the address.** DuckDuckGo publishes the IP ranges DuckDuckBot uses: [duckduckgo.com/duckduckbot.json](https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckbot.json). A request whose user agent says DuckDuckBot from an address outside them is an impostor.

## How Punchline counts DuckDuckBot

Punchline labels a request that names DuckDuckBot with how sure it is: **verified** or **declared** when the evidence checks out, a lower tier when it can't be checked, and **impostor** when the evidence contradicts it. Each visit is counted under DuckDuckGo, with its purpose, so you can see whether DuckDuckBot is reading your site and which pages it reads. [How it works](https://www.punchlineanalytics.com/how-it-works) · [Known agents](https://www.punchlineanalytics.com/docs/agents)

[See which agents read your site](https://www.punchlineanalytics.com/reveal)