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2 changes: 1 addition & 1 deletion sources/academy/ai/ai-agents.mdx
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Expand Up @@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ slug: /ai/ai-agents

AI agents are goal-oriented systems that make independent decisions. They interact with environments using predefined tools and workflows to automate complex tasks.

On Apify, AI agents are built as Actorsserverless cloud programs for web scraping, data processing, and AI deployment. Apify evolved from running scrapers in the cloud to supporting LLMs that follow predefined workflows with dynamically defined goals.
On Apify, AI agents are built as Actors - serverless cloud programs for web scraping, data processing, and AI deployment. Apify evolved from running scrapers in the cloud to supporting LLMs that follow predefined workflows with dynamically defined goals.

## Prerequisites

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Expand Up @@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ Examine current search results. Few quality results for a query like _download d

Many results or ads for _Instagram scraper_ means the market is proven but competitive. You'll need to differentiate.

Check keyword difficulty and domain authority. If difficulty is 70+ and top pages have 80+ domain authority with thousands of backlinksand Apify already has an official Actor with 100,000+ usersyou can't compete directly. Find an adjacent angle or specialization.
Check keyword difficulty and domain authority. If difficulty is 70+ and top pages have 80+ domain authority with thousands of backlinks - and Apify already has an official Actor with 100,000+ users - you can't compete directly. Find an adjacent angle or specialization.

## Analyze Google Trends

Expand All @@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ Watch for spikes. Sudden jumps from media coverage or viral moments usually don'

Beyond SEO data, go where your potential users are. Browse Reddit, Hacker News, Stack Overflow, X (Twitter), Discord, and Facebook groups. What problems are people discussing? What tools do they wish existed?

Document your findings. Note quotes and recurring themes like _Multiple marketers on Reddit want easy competitor pricing trackingno existing solution mentioned_. These insights complement your SEO data and help you speak your users' language.
Document your findings. Note quotes and recurring themes like _Multiple marketers on Reddit want easy competitor pricing tracking - no existing solution mentioned_. These insights complement your SEO data and help you speak your users' language.

Zero discussion across multiple platforms over 4+ weeks means either no one cares about the problem or they've already solved it.

Expand All @@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ You can also use tools like [F5Bot](https://f5bot.com/) or

### Q&A forums and Stack Overflow

Look for questions about doing the task manually. If thinking about a LinkedIn scraper, check Stack Overflow for questions like _How can I scrape LinkedIn profiles?_ Frequent questions or upvotes indicate many people trying to solve it without a good toolan opportunity for your Actor.
Look for questions about doing the task manually. If thinking about a LinkedIn scraper, check Stack Overflow for questions like _How can I scrape LinkedIn profiles?_ Frequent questions or upvotes indicate many people trying to solve it without a good tool - an opportunity for your Actor.

Use the `site:` parameter:

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ Fork and commit activity shows developers actively work with the technology. Hig

## Review Product Hunt launches

Study successful automation tool launches from the past 12-24 months on Product Hunt. Filter by _Browser Automation_ and _Automation tools_, then sort by upvotes. Note which taglines, value propositions, and features resonated. Products with 500+ upvotes validated somethingfigure out what worked.
Study successful automation tool launches from the past 12-24 months on Product Hunt. Filter by _Browser Automation_ and _Automation tools_, then sort by upvotes. Note which taglines, value propositions, and features resonated. Products with 500+ upvotes validated something - figure out what worked.

## Research Apify Store

Expand All @@ -152,17 +152,17 @@ If the market has 50+ Actors with strong leaders (Apify-maintained with 50,000+

## Scan the broader market

Do a general Google search for tools or services that solve your problem. Your competition might not be another Actorit could be a SaaS tool or API. If your idea is _monitor website uptime and screenshot changes_, established services probably exist.
Do a general Google search for tools or services that solve your problem. Your competition might not be another Actor - it could be a SaaS tool or API. If your idea is _monitor website uptime and screenshot changes_, established services probably exist.

Note direct competitors: How do they price it? What audience do they target? Are users satisfied or complaining? This validates that people pay for the service and reveals gaps you can fill.

Understanding the competition helps you refine your unique valuewhether that's lower cost, better features, or targeting an underserved niche.
Understanding the competition helps you refine your unique value - whether that's lower cost, better features, or targeting an underserved niche.

No existing solutions? Ask why. You might have found an untapped need, or it's a red flag (too difficult to implement, or the target website aggressively blocks scraping). Use your judgment.

## Get feedback from potential users

Reach out to people who match your target user profile. Building a real estate data Actor? Contact real estate analysts or agents (LinkedIn works well) and ask if a tool that does X would help them. Keep it informaldescribe the problem you're solving and ask if they'd use or pay for it.
Reach out to people who match your target user profile. Building a real estate data Actor? Contact real estate analysts or agents (LinkedIn works well) and ask if a tool that does X would help them. Keep it informal - describe the problem you're solving and ask if they'd use or pay for it.

Direct feedback helps you:

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Expand Up @@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ The [Actor ideas](https://apify.com/ideas) page is where you can find inspiratio

1. _Visit_ [apify.com/ideas](https://apify.com/ideas) to find ideas that interest you. Look for ideas that align with your skills.

1. _Select an Actor idea_: Review the details and requirements. Check the statusif it's marked **Open to develop**, you can start building.
1. _Select an Actor idea_: Review the details and requirements. Check the status - if it's marked **Open to develop**, you can start building.

1. _Build your Actor_: Develop your Actor based on the idea. You don't need to notify Apify during development.

Expand All @@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ The [Actor ideas](https://apify.com/ideas) page is where you can find inspiratio

<!-- #### Multiple developers for one idea

Apify Store can host multiple Actors with similar functions. However, the "first come, first served" rule appliesthe first developer to claim an idea receives the **Completed** tag and a link from the Actor ideas page.
Apify Store can host multiple Actors with similar functions. However, the "first come, first served" rule applies - the first developer to claim an idea receives the **Completed** tag and a link from the Actor ideas page.

Competition motivates developers to improve the code. You can still build the Actor, but differentiate with a unique set of features. -->

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Expand Up @@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ Also, remember that your Actor is a package deal with the Apify platform. All th

### Do research in Apify Store

Apify Store is like any other marketplace, so take a look at your competition there. Are you the first in your lane, or are there other similar tools? What makes yours stand out? Remember, your README is your first impression communicate your tool's benefits clearly and offer something unique. Competing with other developers is great, but collaborations can drive even better results 😉
Apify Store is like any other marketplace, so take a look at your competition there. Are you the first in your lane, or are there other similar tools? What makes yours stand out? Remember, your README is your first impression - communicate your tool's benefits clearly and offer something unique. Competing with other developers is great, but collaborations can drive even better results 😉

Learn more about what makes a good readme here: [How to create an Actor README](/academy/actor-marketing-playbook/actor-basics/how-to-create-an-actor-readme)

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Expand Up @@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ A high number of monthly users indicates widespread trust and effective performa

Each Actor has an **Issues** tab in Apify Console and on the web. Here, users can open an issue (ticket) and engage in discussions with the Actor's creator, platform admins, and other users. The tab is ideal for asking questions, requesting new features, or providing feedback.

Since the **Issues** tab is public, the level of activity or lack thereof can be observed by potential users and may serve as an indicator of the Actor's reliability. A well-maintained Issues tab with prompt responses suggests an active and dependable Actor.
Since the **Issues** tab is public, the level of activity - or lack thereof - can be observed by potential users and may serve as an indicator of the Actor's reliability. A well-maintained Issues tab with prompt responses suggests an active and dependable Actor.

Learn more about how to handle the [Issues tab](/academy/actor-marketing-playbook/interact-with-users/issues-tab)

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Expand Up @@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ Before we dive in, a little disclaimer: you don't need your Apify README to fulf

Your Actor’s README has at least four functions:

1. _SEO_ - If your README is well-structured and includes important keywords both in headings and across the text it has a high chance of being noticed and promoted by Google. Organic search brings the most motivated type of potential users. If you win this game, you've won most of the SEO game.
1. _SEO_ - If your README is well-structured and includes important keywords - both in headings and across the text - it has a high chance of being noticed and promoted by Google. Organic search brings the most motivated type of potential users. If you win this game, you've won most of the SEO game.
2. _First impression_ - Your README is one of the first points of contact with a potential user. If you come across as convincing, clear, and reassuring it could be the factor that will make a user try your Actor for their task.
3. _Extended instruction_ - The README is also the space that explains specific complex input settings. For example, special formatting of the input, any coding-related, or extended functions. Of course, you could put that all in a blog post as well, but the README should be their first point of contact.
4. _Support_ - Your users come back to the README when they face issues. Use it as a space to let them know that's where they can find links to the tutorials if they run into issues, describe common troubleshooting techniques, share tricks, or warn you about bugs.
Expand All @@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ Your Actor + the Apify platform. They come as a package. Don't forget to flaunt

:::

Imagine if there was a solution that is identical to yours but without the platform advantages such as monitoring, access to API, scheduling, possibility of integrations, proxy rotation. Now, if that tool suddenly gained all those advantages it would surely make a selling point out of it. This is how you should be thinking about your tool as a solution boosted by the Apify platform. Don't ever forget that advantage.
Imagine if there was a solution that is identical to yours but without the platform advantages such as monitoring, access to API, scheduling, possibility of integrations, proxy rotation. Now, if that tool suddenly gained all those advantages it would surely make a selling point out of it. This is how you should be thinking about your tool - as a solution boosted by the Apify platform. Don't ever forget that advantage.

What data can [Actor] extract?

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ If your datasets come out too complex and you want to save your users some scrol

### Other Actors

Don't forget to promote your other Actors. While our system for Actor recommendation works - you can see related Actors at the bottom of the README it only works within the same category or similar name. It won't recommend a completely different Actor from the same creator. Make sure to interconnect your work by taking the initiative yourself. You can mention your other Actors in a list or as a table.
Don't forget to promote your other Actors. While Apify's system for Actor recommendation works - you can see related Actors at the bottom of the README - it only works within the same category or similar name. It won't recommend a completely different Actor from the same creator. Make sure to interconnect your work by taking the initiative yourself. You can mention your other Actors in a list or as a table.

### FAQ, disclaimers, and support

Expand All @@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ Here are just a few things we usually push to the FAQ section.
- mentioning the Issues tab and highlighting that you're open for feedback and collecting feedback
- mentioning being open to creating a custom solution based on the current one and showing a way to contact you
- interlinking
- mentioning the possibility of transferring data using an API API tab
- mentioning the possibility of transferring data using an API - API tab
- possibility for integrations
- use cases for the data scraped, success stories exemplifying the use of data

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Expand Up @@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ The right naming can propel or hinder the success of the Actor on Google Search.

### Brainstorming

What does your Actor do? Does it scrape, find, extract, automate, connect? Think of these when you are looking for a name. You might already have a code name in mind, but it’s essential to ensure it stands out and is distinct from similar namesboth on Google and on Apify Store.
What does your Actor do? Does it scrape, find, extract, automate, connect? Think of these when you are looking for a name. You might already have a code name in mind, but it’s essential to ensure it stands out and is distinct from similar names - both on Google and on Apify Store.

### Matching URL and name

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Expand Up @@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ Your Actor's name should be _40-50 characters_ long. You can change your Actor n

### Actor name vs. SEO name

There's an option to step away from your Actor's name for the sake of search engine optimization the Actor SEO name. The Actor name and Actor SEO name serve different purposes:
There's an option to step away from your Actor's name for the sake of search engine optimization - the Actor SEO name. The Actor name and Actor SEO name serve different purposes:

- _Actor name_: this is the name visible in Apify Store and Console. It should be easy for users to understand and quickly show what your Actor does. It’s about attracting users who browse the Store.

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Expand Up @@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ Remember, bundles originated as customized solutions for specific use cases - th

This is also an opportunity to tell a story rather than just presenting a tool. Consider writing a blog post about how you created this tool, recording a video, or hosting a live webinar. If you go this route, it’s important to emphasize how the tool was created and what a technical feat it represents.

That said, don’t abandon SEO entirely. You can still capture some SEO value by referencing the bundle in the READMEs of the individual Actors that comprise it. For example, if a bundle collects reviews from multiple platforms, potential users are likely to search for review scrapers for each specific platformGoogle Maps reviews scraper, Tripadvisor reviews scraper, Booking reviews scraper, etc. These keywords may not lead directly to your review scraping bundle, but they can guide users to the individual scrapers, where you can then present the bundle as a more comprehensive solution.
That said, don’t abandon SEO entirely. You can still capture some SEO value by referencing the bundle in the READMEs of the individual Actors that comprise it. For example, if a bundle collects reviews from multiple platforms, potential users are likely to search for review scrapers for each specific platform - Google Maps reviews scraper, Tripadvisor reviews scraper, Booking reviews scraper, etc. These keywords may not lead directly to your review scraping bundle, but they can guide users to the individual scrapers, where you can then present the bundle as a more comprehensive solution.

---

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