Cloudflare Announces New Tools for Bot Operators
BotBase for Operators brings more transparency to the bot submission process.
1Introduction of BotBase for Operators
Cloudflare has unveiled BotBase for Operators, a new tool designed to help bot operators manage their bots more effectively. This innovation brings transparency to the bot submission process, allowing operators to track their submissions in real-time. Previously, the post-submission process was like a 'black box'. Now, operators can monitor the status of their submissions at any stage.
2New Dashboard Layout
BotBase for Operators has been relocated within the Cloudflare dashboard to 'Protect Connect → Application Security → BotBase'. This change improves accessibility for bot operators. The dashboard now features three main sections: Bot directory, new bot submission form, and submission history. This organized structure enables operators to access all necessary information from a single location.
3Submission Status Tracking
The new system allows bot operators to view the status of each submitted bot. Under the 'Submission history' tab, three statuses are displayed: Waiting for review, Accepted, and Rejected. Detailed feedback is provided for rejected bots, enabling operators to make corrections and resubmit. This feature significantly reduces the need for operators to contact support teams.
4Updating Bot Information
Operators can now update information about their submitted bots. Changes like IP list updates or switching to Web Bot Auth can be made without creating new submissions. Additionally, pending submissions can be canceled. This flexibility streamlines the management process for bot operators.
5New Taxonomy System
The bot submission form has been redesigned with a more pragmatic taxonomy. Operators now describe their bots' behavior in three main categories: What the bot does, how it uses the content it reads, and who's responsible for the bot. This multidimensional approach enables more accurate bot classification and helps website owners manage bot traffic.
6Content Usage Declaration
The new system requires bot operators to specify their bots' content usage level. This information is compared against preferences set by website owners in their robots.txt files. For example, if a site specifies 'ai-train=no', bots using content for model training may be blocked. This system provides greater control over content usage.
7Importance of Verified Status
Sites across Cloudflare's network are increasingly making access decisions based on bots' 'Verified' status. BotBase for Operators helps maintain this status by enabling operators to keep bot information current. Accurate and up-to-date information improves bots' acceptance rates across more sites, though final decisions remain with site owners.
8Operator Filtering
The new dashboard includes a 'My bots' filter, allowing operators to view only bots associated with their account. This feature is particularly useful for operators managing multiple bots, enabling them to see all their bots' statuses at a glance and speeding up management processes.
9Contributing to the Bot Ecosystem
The introduction of BotBase for Operators is part of Cloudflare's efforts to balance the bot ecosystem. By addressing the needs of both website owners and bot operators, this tool strengthens communication between both parties. The more transparent process has the potential to set new standards in automated traffic management across the internet.
Original article: Cloudflare Blog — Cloudflare, Bot Operatörleri İçin Yeni Araçlar Duyurdu