Data Crawling: Functions & Differences from Data Scraping

When you build and manage a system, there are many elements that you need to pay attention to, one of which is data.

In the world of data science, there are many terms that you need to know to apply each technique correctly, starting from data scraping, web scraping, web crawling, and data crawling. At first glance, these terms do have some similarities, but that does not mean that they all have the same definition and process.

In this guide, you will learn about what crawling data is, including its function, how to do it, its difference with web crawling, and who allows the crawling.

Let's look at the following guide to find out the full explanation.

What is Data Crawling?

Data crawling is a process that retrieves data by digging deep into the internet or a specific target. The activity is also defined as a multi-source automated collection and indexing process.

This activity is carried out by bots or software called crawlers. Data taken from the results of this crawl will generally be analyzed, used as material for system development, or even used as certain research data.

The data retrieval process starts when the crawler enters a predetermined target. After that, the crawler will retrieve the important data.

In general, the data taken from this process is in the form of product specifications, prices, categories, and others.

The Functions of Data Crawling

In general, crawling data is defined as the process of retrieving data from various sources by bot crawlers. So, what are their functions? Check out the explanation below.

1. Statistics

The first function of crawling data is for statistical needs. Basically, the crawling process functions to collect certain data, including statistical information.

The statistics obtained will later be used as material for analysis. Statistical data that are generally collected through a crawling process are market analysis, analysis of potential customers, and several others.

2. Comparing the Details of a Product

When you search for a product on the internet and then intend to compare product details such as specifications, prices, and categories, this is where the crawling comes into play.

By crawling data, you can find products in search engines along with other preferences related to those products.

Data Crawling vs Data Scraping 

Although they look similar at first glance, scraping and crawling are two different processes. Then, what are the differences between the two? You can find out more information in the following table.

Data Crawling vs Web Crawling

The difference between crawling data and web is striking, although at first glance, the two activities may seem similar. Check out the explanation below.

How Crawling Data Works

Before crawling data, there are a number of things that you need to prepare in advance, such as the data source that is the target for crawling. Here's how to crawl the data.

1. Specify the data source to target for crawling.
2. Use crawler software to collect information from predetermined data sources.
3. Configure the crawler tools according to your needs. For example, regarding how many pages must be crawled or retrieved data.
4. Run the crawler tool to start fetching the information you need.
5. After the data has been obtained, analyze the data to ensure its accuracy.
6. Save the data that has been analyzed in the database.
7. Monitor and update the crawler regularly to ensure that the information it gets is accurate and up-to-date.

What Can You Get from Crawling Data?

The most significant advantage of this data crawl is that it collects data in a more structured and easy-to-analyze format. In addition, this crawling activity also allows you to collect data from various sources, such as databases and APIs.

Crawling can make it easier for you to build products that leverage data, such as mobile apps and data visualizations. In addition to providing integrated data for further analysis, this process can also speed up business processes that make it easier for you to access and use data. 

Who Can Crawl Data?

Basically, crawling is an activity that is fairly easy to do. Then, who usually does the task? Here are some actors that can perform the crawling process:

1. Data Analyst, who has knowledge about data. Data collected from crawling results will be analyzed before being entered into the database and used for development or research.
2. Programmers, who have expertise in system programming and development, will run bot crawlers to collect certain data.
3. Business Owner, which makes it possible to crawl data with the aim of gathering information about competitors. Furthermore, the data will be used for the purposes of market analysis and product development.
4. Researchers, who make it possible to crawl data with the aim of researching data or researching something that requires data from crawling results.
5. Computer Science students, who learn the basics of computer science from programming to data science. In general, crawling data is done with the aim of carrying out project tasks related to data science.

Thus, the guide to data crawling, starting from its meaning, function, how to do it, advantages, and differences with data scraping and web crawling. In managing and building a system, data is one of the things you need to pay attention to.

Crawling data itself is one of the important elements to support your business strategy. By getting the necessary data, you can analyze it and develop the right marketing strategy for the company.

For those of you who are active in digital marketing activities, use SEO services to assist you in developing a marketing strategy. With SEO services, you are able to provide input regarding the right strategies that need to be implemented to improve website performance.