inoreader bot

What is inoreader?

Inoreader is a robust RSS feed reader and content aggregation platform developed and operated by Innologica Ltd. It functions as a content discovery and management tool that allows users to follow websites, social media feeds, podcasts, blogs, and newsletters in a single, organized interface. Inoreader acts as a content aggregation service that fetches and delivers content from various sources based on user subscriptions.

When Inoreader crawls websites, it typically identifies itself with a user agent string like Inoreader/1.0 (http://www.inoreader.com) in server logs, though the exact string may vary. The service works by regularly checking subscribed feeds for new content, which it then processes and presents to users in their personalized feeds.

Inoreader offers an API that developers can use to build applications that interact with the platform, allowing for custom integrations and workflows. The platform provides both free and premium subscription tiers with varying features and capabilities.

Why is inoreader crawling my site?

Inoreader crawls websites primarily because one or more of its users have subscribed to your site's RSS feed or content. The crawler visits your site to check for new articles, blog posts, or other content updates that should be delivered to subscribed users.

The frequency of these visits depends on several factors, including how many Inoreader users follow your content, how frequently you update your site, and the freshness settings configured by users. Popular sites with frequent updates may see more regular visits from the Inoreader crawler.

Inoreader's crawling is generally considered authorized and legitimate as it's performing the standard function of an RSS reader – fetching publicly available content that site owners have explicitly made available through RSS feeds. If you've published an RSS feed, this type of access is expected and common for feed readers.

What is the purpose of inoreader?

Inoreader serves as a content aggregation and discovery platform that helps users efficiently consume content from multiple sources. Its primary functions include:

1. Aggregating content from various sources (websites, blogs, social media) into a single, customizable interface
2. Allowing users to organize content through folders, tags, and rules
3. Providing tools for users to filter, search, and save content for later reference
4. Enabling content sharing and collaboration

For users, Inoreader provides significant value by streamlining content consumption and discovery. Rather than visiting dozens of different websites individually, users can access all their favorite content in one place.

For website owners, Inoreader can increase content reach and visibility. When your content is available through Inoreader, it may reach audiences who might not otherwise visit your site directly. This expanded reach can potentially increase your audience and drive traffic back to your site when users click through to read full articles.

How do I block inoreader?

If you wish to control Inoreader's access to your site, you can use the standard robots.txt protocol, which Inoreader respects. To block Inoreader completely, add the following directives to your robots.txt file:

User-agent: Inoreader
Disallow: /

This will instruct the Inoreader crawler not to access any part of your website. If you only want to block access to specific sections of your site, you can specify particular paths:

User-agent: Inoreader
Disallow: /private/
Disallow: /members-only/

Keep in mind that blocking Inoreader means users who rely on the platform won't see your content in their feeds, which could reduce your content's visibility and reach. If your site depends on traffic and engagement, blocking feed readers might not be in your best interest.

Alternatively, if you want Inoreader to access your content but want to control how it's displayed, you might consider providing a partial RSS feed that includes only excerpts rather than full content. This approach allows users to discover your content through Inoreader while encouraging them to visit your site to read the complete articles.