What is a web crawler?

Web crawlers are essential components of search engines that systematically visit websites and catalog data. They play a critical role in providing relevant search results and discovering desired information and product data. There are various types of web crawlers, including those dedicated to collecting specific content types or working with particular websites. These crawlers can extract specified product information, enrich search results by surfacing hidden content, and streamline website operations. When choosing a web crawler, it should be effective, customizable, scalable, and production-ready. Algolia's hosted crawler works across various industries and has helped many companies create leading digital experiences.