Applebot-Extended is listed in the Botcrawl directory as an AI control token from Apple. The primary identifier for log review is Applebot-Extended.

Identification

  • User-agent pattern: Applebot-Extended
  • Family: Apple
  • Type: AI
  • Kind: Control Token

Common use

AI crawling, assistant retrieval, AI search, or model-supporting discovery depending on the user-agent.

Verification and handling

Control token only; no separate crawl traffic is expected.

Directory guidance marks the risk level as Safe and the blocking decision as Depends. Do not rely on the user-agent string alone because user-agent strings can be copied or spoofed.

Robots.txt handling: Yes.

Identification

Aliases
Apple AI opt-out token
Company
Apple
Purpose
ai-assistant
Identity Type
official-documented
Source Type
official
HTTP Agent
Applebot-Extended

Verification And Behavior

Verification Method
Control token only; no separate crawl traffic is expected.
Last Verified
2026-04-01
Last Checked
2026-05-20
Robots Token
Applebot-Extended
Respects Robots
yes
Spoofing Risk
User-agent strings for Applebot-Extended can be spoofed. Treat user-agent detection as a classification signal, then verify with published IP ranges, reverse DNS, signatures, operator documentation, or published operator documentation, IP ranges, reverse DNS, signatures, or other verified identity signals before allow-listing.

Common Use

AI crawling, assistant retrieval, AI search, or model-supporting discovery depending on the user-agent.

Detection Notes

Match `Applebot-Extended` as a case-insensitive substring in HTTP user-agent logs. Review bot_aliases for alternate names or product labels. Do not treat a user-agent match alone as proof of identity for allow-listing.

Rules And Blocking Notes

User-agent: Applebot-Extended Disallow: /

Identification Note

User-agent strings can be spoofed. Use this record as an identification signal and confirm sensitive allow or block decisions with logs, DNS, IP ranges, request behavior, or operator documentation when available.

Source Operator Use API