bitlybot

Bitlybot is the web crawler for the URL shortening service Bitly. Its function is to process and validate the destination URLs of links shortened through Bitly's platform. Unlike general-purpose search crawlers that index entire sites, bitlybot's visits are targeted; it only follows specific shortened links to analyze their destination pages. It identifies itself in server logs with the user-agent string bitlybot or node bitlybot. The bot's activity is crucial for Bitly to maintain the security and integrity of its link ecosystem.

The presence of bitlybot in your server logs is a direct indication that someone has created a Bitly shortened link pointing to one of your web pages. When a Bitly link is created or accessed, the bot may visit the destination URL to perform validation checks, scan for malicious content, and collect data for Bitly's analytics. The frequency of visits is tied to how often your content is being shared using Bitly links. This is considered a legitimate and authorized activity, as it is integral to the functioning of the Bitly service.

Bitlybot serves several key functions for the Bitly platform. First, it validates that destination URLs are active and not leading to broken pages. Second, it performs security scans to protect users from malicious content like phishing or malware. Finally, it gathers basic page information to support the analytics services that Bitly provides to its users, helping them track engagement with their shared links. For website owners, the bot's activity is beneficial as it facilitates the safe and effective sharing of your content through a trusted link management service.

If you wish to prevent bitlybot from visiting your website, you can add a rule to your robots.txt file. However, keep in mind that this may interfere with Bitly's ability to validate and provide analytics for links pointing to your site.

To block bitlybot, add the following lines to your robots.txt file:

User-agent: bitlybot
Disallow: /