# Googlebot

> Googlebot is Google'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.

## Googlebot facts

- **Operator:** Google
- **Type:** Crawler
- **Why it fetches:** Builds a search or answer index
- **User agent contains:** `Googlebot`, `GoogleOther`, `Google-InspectionTool`
- **Verified by:** published IP ranges, reverse DNS
- **Operator's documentation:** [developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/verifying-googlebot](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/verifying-googlebot)

## How to tell a real Googlebot from an impostor

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

- **Check the address.** Google publishes the IP ranges Googlebot uses: [developers.google.com/static/crawling/ipranges/common-crawlers.json](https://developers.google.com/static/crawling/ipranges/common-crawlers.json). A request whose user agent says Googlebot from an address outside them is an impostor.
- **Check reverse DNS.** Look up the requesting IP's host name; it should end in `googlebot.com` or `google.com`. Then look that name up and make sure it resolves back to the same IP, since anyone can set a reverse DNS name on their own addresses.

## How Punchline counts Googlebot

Punchline labels a request that names Googlebot 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 Google, with its purpose, so you can see whether Googlebot 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)