Published on 2025-08-07T06:18:08Z

YandexPagechecker

YandexPagechecker is a specialized validation bot from the Russian search engine Yandex. It does not crawl for indexing but operates on an as-needed basis to check the implementation of structured data markup (like schema.org) on websites. Its purpose is to ensure that markup is correct so that Yandex can properly display rich results in its search listings. Its presence is often triggered by changes to a site's structured data.

What is YandexPagechecker?

YandexPagechecker is a validation bot from Yandex that is designed to check structured data markup on websites. It is a technical validator that helps ensure that sites using schema markup are properly implementing the standards. The bot identifies itself in server logs with the user-agent string Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; YandexPagechecker/1.0; +http://yandex.com/bots). Unlike Yandex's main crawlers, this bot makes low-frequency, targeted visits and does not contribute directly to search index updates.

Why is YandexPagechecker crawling my site?

YandexPagechecker is visiting your site to validate its structured data markup. If you have recently added or modified structured data (like product or review schema), this bot may visit to verify that it is correctly implemented. Its visits are usually triggered by specific conditions, such as the main Yandex crawler detecting new or changed schema markup, rather than a regular crawl schedule. This is a legitimate and authorized activity for a search engine.

What is the purpose of YandexPagechecker?

The purpose of YandexPagechecker is to support the Yandex search engine by ensuring that websites implement structured data correctly. This validation helps Yandex display rich results and enhanced listings, similar to Google's rich snippets. For website owners, this is beneficial as it helps Yandex better interpret and display your information. Properly validated markup increases the chances that your content will appear with enhanced features in Yandex search results, which can improve click-through rates.

How do I block YandexPagechecker?

To prevent YandexPagechecker from validating your site's structured data, you can add a specific disallow rule to your robots.txt file. This is the standard method for managing crawler access.

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

User-agent: YandexPagechecker
Disallow: /

How to verify the authenticity of the user-agent operated by Yandex?

Reverse IP lookup technique

To verify user-agent authenticity, you can use host linux command two times with the IP address of the requester.
  1. > host IPAddressOfRequest
    This command returns the reverse lookup hostname (e.g., 4.4.8.8.in-addr.arpa.). 
  2. > host ReverseDNSFromTheOutputOfFirstRequest
If the output matches the original IP address and the domain is associated with a trusted operator (e.g., Yandex), the user-agent can be considered legitimate.

IP list lookup technique

Some operators provide a public list of IP addresses used by their crawlers. This list can be cross-referenced to verify a user-agent's authenticity. However, both operators and website owners may find it challenging to maintain an up-to-date list, so use this method with caution and in conjunction with other verification techniques.