Web scraping is a powerful method for automated data extraction from websites. Companies, researchers, and individuals use it to analyze prices, monitor trends, or gather useful information. How does it work, which tools can you use, and what should you watch out for to keep it legal and ethical?

What is web scraping and what is it used for?

Web scraping is a method of automatically obtaining data from websites. Instead of copying content manually, software can extract large amounts of information efficiently and quickly. This makes it possible to process extensive databases, track competitors, or analyze trends—helping companies and individuals make better decisions.

How does web scraping work?

The web scraping process takes place in several steps. First, a program sends a request to a web page, similar to how a regular user loads a page in a browser. It then downloads the source code, which contains structured data in HTML and CSS.

Next, the software extracts the required information using rules or algorithms that identify relevant parts of text, images, or tables. Finally, it saves the collected data in a usable format—most often CSV, JSON, or databases—for further processing. Automating this process enables regular collection of up-to-date data, which is crucial for companies monitoring the market or customer behavior.

What is web scraping used for?

This method has a wide range of uses. Companies often use it for market analysis and competitor tracking—for example, comparing product prices or evaluating customer reviews. Another area is collecting contacts and databases, used mainly in marketing and sales.

Web scraping also helps with job searching by aggregating listings from various sites in one place. It makes it possible to monitor news and social media and track current trends. It’s also used for automated data collection for reports and analyses, saving companies time and simplifying decision-making.

Which tools and programming languages to use?

Web scraping can be done with various tools and languages. The choice of technology depends on project complexity and the type of target website. Some tools are ideal for beginners, while others offer advanced data extraction capabilities.

Popular tools for web scraping

• BeautifulSoup – a simple Python library suitable for smaller projects with static content.
• Scrapy – a powerful Python framework for large-scale scraping, enabling fast and efficient processing of big data volumes.
• Selenium – a browser automation tool ideal for scraping dynamic pages with JavaScript.
• Puppeteer – a JavaScript library for controlling Chrome, great for extracting data from interactive sites.
• Octoparse – a visual scraping tool that doesn’t require coding, suitable for non-technical users.

For simple tasks, BeautifulSoup is sufficient, while Scrapy is ideal for large scraping projects. For dynamic content, you need Selenium or Puppeteer.

Which programming languages are used most often?

• Python – the most widespread language for web scraping thanks to its easy syntax and libraries like BeautifulSoup and Scrapy.
• JavaScript – suitable for scraping dynamic sites built with React or Vue.js; the main tool is Puppeteer.
• PHP – a less common choice, but useful for simple scraping tasks within web applications.

Python is the clear choice for most scraping projects due to its flexibility and large community. JavaScript is increasingly used for sites with dynamic content that require interacting with page elements.

Legal and ethical aspects of web scraping

Web scraping can be a powerful data-gathering tool, but it’s not always legal or ethically acceptable. Anyone doing it should know the legal boundaries and respect each website’s rules.

Data protection and copyright

• GDPR and other regulations – if a site contains personal data (names, emails, IP addresses), automated collection may violate data protection laws.
• Copyright – texts, images, or other protected content cannot be freely copied without the owner’s consent.
• Fair use and exceptions – some countries allow data use for research or analysis, but you must always check local legislation.

Collecting publicly available data is not automatically legal. What matters is how you use it and whether you infringe copyright or privacy rights.

How to avoid violating website terms

• Follow robots.txt – most sites have a robots.txt file that specifies whether and how the site may be crawled by bots.
• Don’t overload servers – too many requests in a short time can be seen as an attack and lead to access being blocked.
• Respect terms of service – some sites explicitly forbid scraping in their terms; violating them can have legal consequences.

Headless scraping without regard for the rules can lead to legal trouble, IP blocking, or even lawsuits. Whenever possible, obtain data in an ethical and legal way.

Practical tips and common issues in web scraping

Web scraping can be highly effective, but when working with large datasets or advanced protections, you’ll encounter a number of obstacles. The right techniques and optimizations help ensure smooth extraction and processing.

One of the most common problems is bot protection, which can block access. You also need to manage processing speed, as too many requests in a short time can lead to IP throttling or bans.

How to scrape effectively and avoid being blocked

Websites use various methods to detect and block scrapers. Using the right strategies will help you extract data without disrupting the site’s operation.

• IP rotation – using proxy servers or a VPN prevents your scraper from being identified and blocked.
• Delays between requests – simulating human behavior reduces the risk of detection and allows longer scraping without limits.
• User-Agent tuning – changing the browser identification in the request header can help bypass basic protections.
• Headless browsers – tools like Puppeteer or Selenium can mimic real users and bypass more advanced defenses.

Whether it’s ethical is for each person to judge. As for the legal side, it’s always better to consult a lawyer before you start, so you can be sure everything is truly lawful.

Useful links:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_scraping
2. https://blog.apify.com/what-is-web-scraping/
3. https://www.parsehub.com/blog/what-is-web-scraping/
4. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/blogs/what-is-web-scraping-and-how-to-use-it/