---
title: "OAI-SearchBot: block or allow this AI crawler · DotsAgent"
description: "OAI-SearchBot is run by OpenAI and listed under search. Its robots.txt token, whether it follows the rules, its IP list and how to control it."
url: https://dotsagent.io/agent-ready/bots/oai-searchbot
---

OpenAI · Search

# What is OAI-SearchBot?

OpenAI's crawler for ChatGPT search. It follows robots.txt and uses a separate token from GPTBot, so you can stay in search while refusing training.

- **robots.txt token**: `OAI-SearchBot`
- **Operator**: OpenAI
- **Purpose**: Search
- **Obeys robots.txt**: The operator says it follows robots.txt.
- **Documented by operator**: Yes, on the operator's own pages.
- **Published IP list**: [openai.com/searchbot.json](https://openai.com/searchbot.json)
- **Documentation**: [platform.openai.com](https://platform.openai.com/docs/bots)

## Block OAI-SearchBot from your whole site

`robots.txt`

```
User-agent: OAI-SearchBot
Disallow: /
```

## Allow it, but keep private paths out

`robots.txt`

```
User-agent: OAI-SearchBot
Allow: /
Disallow: /admin/
```

## Other bots from OpenAI

[GPTBot](https://dotsagent.io/agent-ready/bots/gptbot)

[ChatGPT-User](https://dotsagent.io/agent-ready/bots/chatgpt-user)

[OAI-AdsBot](https://dotsagent.io/agent-ready/bots/oai-adsbot)

[ChatGPT agent](https://dotsagent.io/agent-ready/bots/chatgpt-agent)

[Add it to a robots.txt in the generator →](https://dotsagent.io/agent-ready/robots-txt)

## Sources

1. [platform.openai.com](https://platform.openai.com/docs/bots)/docs/bots

Independent reference for people who build AI agents. Not affiliated with any vendor named here.

© 2026 DotsAgent · Facts checked October 1, 2026