Definition
Web scraping is the automated collection of information from websites. Instead of copying details from pages one by one, software loads the pages and extracts the data into a structured format like a spreadsheet.
How it works (simply)
- Load a page (like a search results page).
- Find the pieces of information you need (name, phone, price).
- Save them in rows and columns.
- Repeat for many pages.
Common uses
- lead generation — business listings, creators, advertisers, startups
- price monitoring — tracking competitors' prices
- market research — reviews, product catalogues
- search and SEO — tracking rankings
Ways to scrape
- code (Python, JavaScript) — flexible, needs development and maintenance
- scraping platforms and APIs — ready-made scrapers, technical setup
- browser extensions — quick exports of the page you're on
- dedicated tools — built for one job, like Prospect Cheap for lead lists
Things to watch
- respect websites and don't overload them
- terms of service and privacy laws can apply — see is web scraping legal?
- data quality: scraped data needs cleaning and deduplication
Scraping vs APIs
An API is an official way to request data from a service. Scraping reads what the website shows. Many tools use a mix.
Example
Instead of opening 300 restaurant listings and copying names, phones and websites into a spreadsheet, a scraper collects the same fields from the search results in minutes and saves them as a CSV.
Key takeaways
- Scraping automates collecting information from web pages.
- Lead generation, price tracking and research are common uses.
- Respect websites and the laws that apply to the data.