- Digital Marketing Mix
- Posts
- 🚫 Google vs. Scrapers: SEO Tools Take a Hit
🚫 Google vs. Scrapers: SEO Tools Take a Hit
See how Google’s crackdown on scrapers is disrupting rank tracking worldwide.
Shane Barker
January 17, 2025
In partnership with
Disclosure: This content may contain few affiliate links, which means if you click on them, I will get a commission (without any extra cost to you).
Hey there SEO enthusiasts!
This week, I’m covering a major shake-up in the SEO world. Google has intensified its fight against web scraping, and it’s causing major outages for popular rank-tracking tools. Let’s dive into what’s happening and how it may affect your SEO efforts.
What you’ll find in this week’s newsletter:
How Google is shaking up the SEO world.
Featured tool of the week
Must reads on the blog
Google’s New Scraping Block
Many rank and keyword trackers rely on direct scraping of Google’s search results. Google has always frowned upon automated queries, but it seems they’ve stepped up enforcement. Some tools, like Semrush, are reporting delays in refreshing data. Others, like Sistrix, are still functioning.
Plenty of users on social media are also worried that this could increase costs of SaaS subscriptions:
Key points to watch:
Google is selectively blocking some scrapers.
Tools that rely heavily on automated queries are feeling the impact.
Smaller scrapers or those with different scraping behaviors seem less affected.
Why Is This Happening?
Scrapers place a burden on Google’s servers. Blocking them helps Google maintain resources and protect its user experience. They’ve warned against automated rank-checking for years, but many companies have operated in a gray area.
Now, they’re tightening the screws:
Certain scraping patterns are getting flagged.
IP addresses tied to heavy requests are blocked.
The result is incomplete or stalled SEO data for some tools.
Community Reactions
Several SEO pros have taken to LinkedIn and Twitter with mixed updates. Some tools have tweaked their methods to keep data flowing. Others see higher operating costs and predict possible price hikes. Many people are calling on Google to release a paid search results API. That would allow SEO services to buy data legally instead of scraping it.
What This Means for You
If you rely on keyword tracking tools, be prepared for slower or inconsistent data. Keep an eye on how each tool is responding. Some might pivot to partial data modeling or more advanced scraping strategies. Watch your dashboards, check your reports, and stay in touch with your vendor.
My quick thoughts:
Diversify your data sources. Don’t depend on one tool.
Monitor any ranking shifts carefully.
Be ready for potential pricing changes from your go-to SEO platform.
Looking Ahead
Google hasn’t made an official statement yet. If this crackdown becomes permanent, we could see new APIs or stricter guidelines. Either way, it’s a reminder to keep your SEO strategies agile. Rely on multiple channels, and stay informed on the latest industry developments.
The Featured Tool of the Week
SEO PowerSuite
Tired of fighting for higher rankings and wrestling with multiple SEO tools? SEO PowerSuite is an all-in-one SEO toolkit covering keyword research to site audits. It helps you discover new opportunities, manage backlinks, and create custom reports. With its user-friendly interface, you can easily boost your SEO and stay ahead.
Key features:
Unlimited SEO data and analysis for keywords, backlinks, and rankings.
All-in-one dashboard for streamlined workflows.
Detailed SEO audits with actionable insights.
Custom reports to keep your team in the loop.
Act now to supercharge your digital marketing.
AI-powered on-brand ad generation
Resize ads across multiple sizes with one click
Effortlessly impress clients with on-brand visuals
Engage with professional looking ads and increase ROI
Looking for more in-depth strategies and exclusive content?
Check out my Gumroad page for courses, guides, and tools that can help take your digital marketing to the next level. Whether you're looking to master SEO, influencer marketing, or content strategies, I've got resources to get you there. Plus, you'll find some free content to help you get started right away!
Visit my Gumroad page and explore everything I have to offer!
Must Reads From the Blog!
1. Found the insights helpful? Forward this email to help fellow business owners or marketers.
2. Spread the word. Encourage your friends or followers to sign up.
3. Sponsor a newsletter issue to get your SaaS product in front of over 10,000 SEOs, marketers, and entrepreneurs.
4. Have us test and review your marketing or business tool on ShaneBarker.com. We can write a product review, comparison, or industry listicle for you ⇒ Find the details here.
If you have any specific questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future newsletters, please feel free to reach out. We'd love to hear from you!
To your content marketing success,
Shane Barker