Google warns against overreliance on robots.txt files
Google has recently expressed concerns over the reliance on robots.txt files to control access to online content. The tech giant has made known that this method is predominantly unsuccessful, as it does not hinder unwanted access to classified data.
Gary Illyes, a Webmaster Trends Analyst at Google, shared that these files only direct search engine robots on how to index a site’s content. He stressed that robots.txt cannot stop unauthorized access and the subsequent potential hacking attempts.
Illyes further emphasized the importance of deploying robust security measures to protect online content. He stressed that solely relying on robots.txt for this vital protection is misguided. Some of the recommended methods were the inclusion of a noindex directive or password-protecting delicate content.
Fabrice Canel, the Principle Program Manager at Bing, concurred with this view. He observed that websites frequently inadvertently expose sensitive content when they employ robots.txt for their protection.
Caution against sole dependency on robots.txt
This, he explained, happens because web crawlers can still locate content meant to be hidden, hence leading to unexpected vulnerabilities.
To make robots.txt more effective, Canel suggested that it should be properly set up and routinely reviewed. He also recommended the adoption of other security measures to protect sensitive online data.
Illyes proposed that systems specifically crafted to regulate access are better at thwarting web crawlers. He endorsed alternatives like web application firewalls (WAF) and password protection, instead of solely using robots.txt, which do not have the sufficient capacity to regulate website crawlers.
Illyes further pointed out the general misconception of using robots.txt as an access approval tool. He propounded that more suitable tools, purpose-built for this task, are easily obtainable and should be used instead.
In conclusion, Illyes encouraged the use of tools exclusively made for bot management to manage bot activity effectively. These include actions from hacker bots, search crawlers, and AI user agents on websites. He stressed that such specialized tools help not only to safeguard the site from potential threats but also assist in improving the site’s visibility for useful bots like search crawlers.