What is Meta-WebIndexer? AI crawler guide
Meta-WebIndexer is a crawler or fetcher associated with Meta. See source-graded user-agent, robots.txt, verification, and observation guidance.
What is Meta-WebIndexer?
Meta-WebIndexer is a documented Meta crawler or fetcher. Meta crawler for improving Meta AI search result quality and source linking.
Evidence status
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Evidence | Officially documented |
| Lifecycle | Active |
| Purpose | search |
| robots.txt posture | unverified |
| Source checked | 2026-06-11 |
Documented user-agent
meta-webindexer
Allowing Meta-WebIndexer creates the possibility of retrieval. To find out whether Meta AI actually cites or recommends you, track your Meta AI mentions over time.
robots.txt allow example
User-agent: Meta-WebIndexer Allow: /
robots.txt block example
User-agent: Meta-WebIndexer Disallow: /
What the rule can and cannot do
Robots.txt expresses an access policy to compliant automated crawlers. It does not authenticate the sender, remove content already collected, or guarantee that a model will use or not use content.
How to verify a request
- Match the complete documented user-agent where one exists. A match is only a clue.
- Look for operator-published IP ranges, reverse DNS, or signed-request guidance. None is attached to this record.
- Keep the observed request, operator documentation, and any inference as separate fields.
JavaScript behavior
The cited operator material does not verify JavaScript rendering. Serve useful HTML before client-side JavaScript where possible.
Related bots
- Claude-SearchBot: Also tracked as a search crawler.
- PerplexityBot: Also tracked as a search crawler.
- PhindBot: Also tracked as a search crawler.
- Applebot: Also tracked as a search crawler.
- Bravebot: Also tracked as a search crawler.
- Kimi-SearchBot: Also tracked as a search crawler.
- MistralAI-Index: Also tracked as a search crawler.
- OAI-SearchBot: Also tracked as a search crawler.
- ExaSearchBot: Also tracked as a search crawler.
- Meta AI: Meta-WebIndexer connects this operator term to its crawler behavior.
- Noindex: Meta-WebIndexer gives crawler context for Noindex.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Meta-WebIndexer?
Meta-WebIndexer is a officially documented crawler or fetcher record associated with Meta.
What user-agent does Meta-WebIndexer use?
meta-webindexer. Check the evidence status before attributing a matching request.
Can Meta-WebIndexer be blocked in robots.txt?
The record identifies Meta-WebIndexer as the token to review. Robots.txt is a request policy, not proof of model use or non-use.
How can I verify a Meta-WebIndexer request?
Treat the user-agent as a clue and look for operator-published IP, reverse-DNS, or signature guidance.
Data & Sources
- Meta documentation - Primary source for Meta-WebIndexer crawler details.