Cloudflare on Tuesday stepped up its campaign to win over media publishers and other content creators amid the boom in artificial intelligence. In a possible boost for Cloudflare stock, the services help customers manage how AI companies access their websites and block unauthorized content usage.
Cloudflare Chief Executive Matthew Price has been urging publishers and content creators to restrict AI bots from accessing their websites without payment. Prince says new AI-driven search tools, for example, threaten to lower publisher revenues by providing direct answers and summaries rather than links. That results in less traffic to media websites and advertising revenue.
Started in 2009, Cloudflare works to speed up and provide security for web applications routed through its intelligent global network. Media companies have not been among its biggest customers to date. Roughly 20% of the internet uses Cloudflare services, the company says.
On Tuesday, Cloudflare said the internet domains of new customers will by default block AI crawlers. But companies will be able to give AI companies access if they choose. Cloudflare previously offered a one-click toggle on dashboards enabling media firms to block known AI bots.
Cloudflare Stock: AI Companies Targeted
If the default blocking tools are in effect, AI companies will be required to obtain permission from a website before scraping content. AI companies will need to disclose whether content will be used for model training, content generation or search purposes.
Cloudflare said a related initiative in development is called "Pay Per Crawl," which requests payment from AI companies.
"If the Internet is going to survive the age of AI, we need to give publishers the control they deserve and build a new economic model that works for everyone — creators, consumers, tomorrow's AI founders, and the future of the web itself," said Prince in a news release. "AI crawlers have been scraping content without limits. Our goal is to put the power back in the hands of creators, while still helping AI companies innovate. This is about safeguarding the future of a free and vibrant Internet with a new model that works for everyone."
Many companies are in trials with autonomous, goal-driven "AI agents" that are deployed to perform tasks on the internet. AI agents also seek information at websites.
Cloudflare earlier this year rolled out "AI Labyrinth," which aims to trap unauthorized AI crawlers within a content "honeypot." The company recently proposed new ways for AI bots to authenticate themselves.
Cloudflare has been building up a portfolio of AI products. Some target AI application developers.
Cloudflare Stock Technical Ratings
Cloudflare stock has surged 73% in 2025. But shares are extended from a cup base with an entry point of 177.37.
Cloudflare recently raised $1.75 billion in a convertible debt offering. Analysts say the company continues to evaluate acquisition opportunities.
In addition, Cloudflare stock owns a Composite Rating of 98 out of a best-possible 99, according to IBD Stock Checkup.
Follow Reinhardt Krause on X, formerly Twitter, @reinhardtk_tech for updates on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud computing.
