# meta-externalfetcher

Operator: Meta
Purpose: User-requested fetch
Reviewed: 2026-09-14
HTTP identifier: meta-externalfetcher
robots.txt token: Not specified

## What is meta-externalfetcher?

Fetches external pages for user actions in Meta products.

## How to identify it

Look for the meta-externalfetcher identifier in a request’s User-Agent. This is a name match, not identity verification. Version strings may change.

## How to check identity

A User-Agent match identifies a claimed client. Check the source IP and any operator-published verification method before granting access.

## Access and robots.txt

Meta states that this user-requested fetcher may bypass robots.txt. Keep private content protected by server access controls.

## What it means in your analytics

A user-directed retrieval may form part of an assistant interaction.

## Useful measures

Requested URLs; Response codes; Redirect chains.

## What to check next

Inspect the requested URL and compare response codes with related requests.

## Sources

- [developers.facebook.com](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/sharing/webmasters/web-crawlers/)

Operator facts are source-backed; interpretation and actions are Apostl guidance.

## Related profiles

- [facebookexternalhit](https://apostl.dev/bots/facebookexternalhit)
- [meta-webindexer](https://apostl.dev/bots/meta-webindexer)
- [meta-externalagent](https://apostl.dev/bots/meta-externalagent)

[Start measuring agent traffic](https://apostl.dev/start/agent-analytics)