Web scraping is the automated data collection from internet resources. Web scraping tools simulate a normal user’s activity, and collect web data for business needs. In this article we tried to answer most common questions about web scraping and to give you a comprehensive understanding of the term.
We first describe the process of web scraping step by step: from finding the information on the web to its filtering on your computer. After that we introduce you to the rules of a “healthy” web scraping. Some website owners don’t allow any scraping activities, especially when it comes to personal data issues. That’s why the very term scraping has received a negative connotation in the last years.
Web scraping is a tool that can significantly improve your business processes: you may scrape large amounts of data for business and scientific research, to “feed” your AI or to build an app, for brand or price monitoring. You can find ideas of web scraping applications in our article, too.
We also give you an overview on the types of scraping software: be it browser plugins or a custom service for non-coders. FindDataLab will take over all the routine scraping work delivering the best possible web scraping service.
Still, if you scrape the web on your own, we’re ready to share some of our best practices that will allow you to not get blocked. Remember that request delays, request customization, IP address rotation, and user-agent rotation will enable a safe scraping process. Also, don’t forget to use good proxies and avoid the “honey pots” and other link trickery.
From a legal standpoint, it’s important that you carefully read the web site.
In the Myarticles, we went into further detail.
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