OpenAI recommends allowing it in robots.txt to appear in ChatGPT search results.
Why it matters for your business
If OAI-SearchBot can't reach your site, ChatGPT search can't show your pages in its answers.
How it works
- 1
Crawl
It visits pages to make them available to ChatGPT search.
- 2
Separate from training
It's distinct from GPTBot, which collects training data.
Common misunderstandings
Myth
Blocking GPTBot also blocks ChatGPT search.
Reality
They're separate crawlers with separate rules.
What to do about it
- Check robots.txt allows OAI-SearchBot.
- Check your firewall or CDN isn't blocking it either.
Questions people ask
Where is OpenAI's crawler list?
OpenAI documents its crawlers on its bots overview page.
See where your business stands
Run the Free CheckSources
Answers that explain this
Related terms
Defined by Dr. Radhakrishnan KG, founder of WebNamaste · Reviewed 6 October 2026