Google has announced a change to its Publisher Center user agent string, a move that could impact publishers who have hardcoded the old value into their systems.
Key Changes
Old User Agent String:
GoogleProducer; (+http://goo.gl/7y4SX)New User Agent String:
GoogleProducer; (+https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/overview-google-crawlers#googleproducer)
Why This Matters
The user agent string is crucial for identifying the Google Publisher Center when it interacts with publishers' systems. This change could potentially cause issues for publishers who have explicitly coded their systems to recognize the old string. The change comes after Google announced the depreciation Goo.gl URL Shortener Service.
Action Required
Publishers are strongly advised to update their systems to recognize the new user agent string. Failure to do so could result in:
- Misidentification of Google Publisher Center traffic
- Potential disruptions in content submission and management
- Unintended blocking of legitimate Google Publisher Center requests
How to Update
- Review your code for any instances of the old user agent string
- Replace the old string with the new one
- Test your systems to ensure they correctly identify the new user agent string
The new user agent string now points to a more comprehensive documentation page. This change not only updates the identifier but also provides publishers with easier access to relevant information about Google's crawlers.
While this update may seem minor, it underscores the importance of staying current with Google's technical specifications. Publishers who proactively update their systems will ensure smooth operations and avoid potential disruptions in their content management processes.
