Web scraping refers to extracting data from websites automatically through code. When done responsibly, it can be a useful technique for gathering public information at scale. However, many major websites like Amazon have terms of service that restrict scraping. Here's what you need to know about scraping Amazon.
What Amazon's Terms Allow
Amazon's conditions of use explicitly prohibit scraping without advance written approval:
So in most cases, scraping Amazon without permission is unfortunately against their policy.
When Web Scraping May Be Allowed
That said, there are certain limited exceptions where scraping public Amazon pages in a light, non-disruptive way may be permissible based on fair use principles. For example:
However, even in these cases proceeding with caution is wise.
Best Practices for Responsible Web Scraping
If you do wish to gather data from Amazon, consider these best practices:
While Amazon's terms limit scraping, following responsible practices that avoid undue load can help avoid issues. As always, seeking legal guidance in your jurisdiction is also advised when web scraping.