What is web data harvesting?

Disclaimer: We are not your lawyer, and the recommendations in this guide do not constitute legal advice. If you want assistance with your specific situation then you should consult a lawyer.

With the rapid expansion of data science and the growing demand for big data, organizations are actively seeking innovative approaches to access information that can provide them with a competitive edge and enhance their decision-making capabilities. Web data represents one of the most significant sources of untapped information that has the potential to fundamentally transform your business operations.

As an increasing number of companies extract web data at unprecedented scales, the web data extraction sector has undergone substantial evolution over the past decade. This explosive growth has led to the emergence of numerous terms such as web scraping, web data harvesting, web mining, web crawling, data extraction, data mining, and others. These terms are frequently used interchangeably, creating significant confusion within the industry.

Let’s examine these terminologies more closely and clarify their appropriate usage.

What is web data harvesting?

Web data harvesting refers to the automated process of collecting structured information from websites. It’s also known as web scraping or web data extraction. The harvesting terminology draws from agricultural practices, which involve the systematic collection and sorting of crops from fields.

Website data harvesting operates through a straightforward mechanism consisting of two primary components: a web crawler and a web scraper. The web crawler functions as the horse, while the scraper serves as the chariot. The crawler guides the scraper throughout the internet, directing it to extract the requested information. If you want to learn more about the difference between web crawling & web scraping and how they work, we have a whole article dedicated to this topic.

Is web data harvesting legal?

The legality of web data harvesting hinges on maintaining compliance with applicable laws and demonstrating respect toward the websites from which you’re collecting public information. Several key considerations help ensure compliance:

Personal data – ensure you have a legal basis to harvest any data that could be used to directly or indirectly identify a specific individual and comply with the relevant personal data laws.

Copyrighted data – When harvesting data from a website you should consider whether the web data you are planning to harvest is copyrighted. You must ensure any collection or use of data is in compliance with applicable copyright laws.

Data behind a login – When you log in to a website and accept terms, you are entering into a contract with the website owner. You should carefully examine the terms to determine if data harvesting is allowed. You should always honor the terms of any contract you enter into.

Web Data Harvesting vs Web Scraping

In essence, data harvesting and web scraping represent different terminology for an identical process. Regardless of the term you choose, web data harvesting serves as a valuable tool in your technological toolkit. Its applications span virtually every industry, from price intelligence to comprehensive market research.

As the industry has matured, numerous data extraction tools and service providers have emerged to assist organizations with harvesting information from websites.

If you need help with a specific project, let us know and our web scraping experts can surely help you.