The AI Bots That ~140 Million Websites Block the Most

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, web crawling bots—often driven by large language models (LLMs)—play a vital role in gathering information. But not everyone welcomes their silent, systematic scans. More and more websites are setting digital boundaries, raising a pressing question: how often are AI bots blocked?

This blog delves into current data and trends surrounding the AI bots block rate, exploring the nuances of robots.txt AI bots restrictions, the rise of explicit blocks against notable crawlers like GPTBot and ClaudeBot, and what it all means for digital privacy and visibility.

How Often Are AI Bots Blocked?

AI Bot Blocks Over Time

Tracking the AI bots block rate over the past two years reveals a clear and consistent trend: resistance is rising. In the early days, AI crawlers operated largely under the radar. But as public awareness grew—especially with the explosive popularity of generative tools—so did concern.

Recent LLM traffic statistics suggest that by mid-2024, nearly 38% of indexed websites implemented some form of AI-specific restriction, up from just 8% in 2023. This includes both robots.txt AI bots exclusions and more advanced blocking mechanisms.

Among the most notable patterns is the aggressive GPTBot blocked websites surge. In August 2023, shortly after OpenAI launched GPTBot, web admins scrambled to control access. Within three months, more than 22% of high-traffic domains had restricted the crawler.

Interestingly, ClaudeBot growth statistics show a similar trajectory, though slightly less steep. While GPTBot faced backlash almost instantly, ClaudeBot—associated with Anthropic’s Claude models—saw a more gradual increase in blocks, likely due to its lower media exposure.

Do Certain Types of Sites Block AI Bots More?

Yes—and with good reason. Sites vary dramatically in their openness toward AI crawlers website restrictions, depending on their content type, audience, and business model.

News outlets, particularly premium publishers behind paywalls, are among the first to act. With content as their core product, the idea of bots ingesting their articles without attribution or compensation sparks immediate concern. Major publications were among the first to appear on lists of GPTBot blocked websites.

Academic databases and research journals are similarly cautious. Their primary worry isn’t just content theft—it’s the risk of skewed data interpretation or AI-generated misinformation rooted in decontextualized academic findings.

Ecommerce platforms, however, present a mixed picture. Some choose to block AI bots to prevent price scraping and protect proprietary product descriptions. Others embrace crawling, aiming to boost exposure through AI-driven recommendation engines.

In the tech space, startups and AI-focused SaaS companies tend to be more permissive, understanding the mutual benefit of sharing content within responsible frameworks.

How Often Are AI Bots Specifically Targeted?

Not all block rates are created equal. While some websites adopt a blanket ban on all crawlers not tied to a traditional search engine, others employ laser-focused tactics.

Explicit blocks of AI bots over time are growing in both frequency and sophistication. These blocks often reference known AI bot user agents directly—think “GPTBot,” “ClaudeBot,” or “CCBot”—in robots.txt AI bots directives or server-level firewall configurations.

According to recent ClaudeBot growth statistics, specific blocks targeting this crawler rose by 19% in Q1 2025 alone. While not as heavily blocked as GPTBot, its footprint in academic and research spaces continues to attract scrutiny.

Even smaller, lesser-known AI bots face headwinds. This raises an important side debate around AI bots and privacy. Unlike traditional search engines, most AI bots collect data for model training or contextual analysis—not for indexing. This subtle distinction is driving more webmasters to implement proactive blocking AI crawlers measures.

Blocking Over Time: A Technical and Philosophical Shift

From a technical perspective, the growing prevalence of blocking AI crawlers is reshaping how the internet functions.

In the past, robots.txt AI bots entries were used primarily to block low-value spam bots or preserve server bandwidth. Today, they serve as a frontline defense against large-scale AI training.

Yet, blocking comes with trade-offs. For example, websites that block all AI crawlers may inadvertently reduce their visibility in emerging AI-powered search experiences. As these tools reshape how users discover and consume content, being invisible to LLMs could become a disadvantage.

That said, it’s not all black and white. Many site owners are exploring nuanced solutions—such as allowing crawling but limiting certain sections, or permitting access only to specific bots under contractual terms. This hybrid approach reflects a deeper shift in mindset: from open-by-default to selective and strategic.

Final Thoughts

The AI bots block rate is a moving target—one shaped by evolving technology, user expectations, and the growing tension between access and control.

From the dramatic rise in GPTBot blocked websites to granular, targeted efforts to limit ClaudeBot growth statistics, what’s clear is this: websites are no longer passive bystanders in the age of AI. They’re taking action—sometimes to protect proprietary content, sometimes to uphold privacy principles, and increasingly, to stake out a digital identity aligned with their values.

If you manage a website, it’s worth reviewing your own stance. Do you want your content featured in LLMs? Are you comfortable contributing to model training? Or do you, like many, prefer to join the ranks of the most blocked AI bots?

Whatever your decision, the tools to act are in your hands. From robots.txt AI bots directives to advanced server configurations, the modern webmaster is equipped like never before.

At a time when AI bots and privacy concerns continue to rise, making an informed, deliberate choice about crawler access is no longer optional—it’s essential.