llms.txt is a standardized markdown file placed at the root of websites to help AI assistants understand their content structure and purpose. It's like robots.txt but for Large Language Models.

Where should I place my llms.txt file?

The llms.txt file must be placed at the root of your website, accessible at https://yourwebsite.com/llms.txt

Is llms.txt an official standard?

Yes, llms.txt is an open standard defined at llmstxt.org, which serves as the authoritative source for the specification.

Does llms.txt replace robots.txt?

No, llms.txt does not replace robots.txt. They serve different purposes - robots.txt controls search engine crawling while llms.txt helps AI understand your content.

What format does llms.txt use?

llms.txt uses markdown format with a specific structure including title, description, summary, and content sections with links.

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What is llms.txt?

What is llms.txt?

Official Standard

llms.txt is an open standard defined at llmstxt.org - the authoritative source for the specification.

llms.txt is a standardized markdown file that websites place at their root directory (/llms.txt) to help AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity understand their content structure and purpose. Think of it as "robots.txt for AI" - but instead of telling search engines what to crawl, it tells Large Language Models (LLMs) how to understand and reference your site.

The Problem It Solves

When AI assistants try to understand websites, they often struggle with:

Determining what content is most important
Understanding site structure and navigation
Finding relevant documentation sections
Providing accurate references and citations
Avoiding hallucinations about your content

The llms.txt file solves these problems by providing a clear, structured overview that AI can quickly parse and understand.

How llms.txt Works

The Standard Location

According to llmstxt.org, the file must be placed at:

https://yourwebsite.com/llms.txt

When an AI assistant is asked about your website, it can check for this file first to get an authoritative overview directly from you, the site owner. This ensures:

Accurate representation of your content
Proper attribution when AI references your site
Reduced server load from AI crawlers
Better user experience for people using AI to learn about your site

The llms.txt File Structure

As defined by the official specification, an llms.txt file contains:

1. Title and Description

# Your Website Name

> A brief description of what your website offers

2. Summary Section

## Summary

A paragraph explaining your site's purpose, target audience,
and main value proposition.

3. Content Sections with Links

## Documentation

- [Getting Started](/docs/start): Quick start guide
- [API Reference](/api): Complete API documentation
- [Examples](/examples): Code examples and tutorials

Real-World Example

Here's what a complete llms.txt file looks like:

# TechStartup.io

> Modern DevOps platform for automated deployments

## Summary

TechStartup.io provides continuous integration and deployment
tools for development teams. We help companies ship code faster
with automated testing, deployment pipelines, and monitoring.

## Features

- [CI/CD Pipelines](/features/pipelines): Automated build and deploy
- [Monitoring](/features/monitoring): Real-time application metrics
- [Team Collaboration](/features/teams): Built for development teams

## Documentation

- [Getting Started](/docs/quickstart): 5-minute setup guide
- [API Reference](/docs/api): RESTful API documentation
- [Integrations](/docs/integrations): Connect with your tools

## Pricing

- [Plans](/pricing): From free tier to enterprise
- [Calculator](/pricing/calculator): Estimate your costs

Why llms.txt Matters

For Website Owners

Control how AI represents your site
Reduce incorrect AI hallucinations
Decrease server load from AI crawlers
Improve discoverability via AI

For AI Users

Get accurate site information
Find relevant content faster
Receive proper citations
Better AI responses about sites

As noted on llmstxt.org, adoption of this standard is growing rapidly as more sites recognize the importance of being "AI-friendly" in an era where users increasingly rely on AI assistants for information.

How to Implement llms.txt

1

Create Your File

Write your llms.txt following the official format or use our generator tool
2

Validate Content

Ensure your file follows the specification and includes all important sections
3

Deploy to Root

Place the file at /llms.txt on your website
4

Keep Updated

Update the file when your site structure or content changes significantly

llms.txt vs robots.txt

Aspect	robots.txt	llms.txt
Purpose	Controls search engine crawling	Helps AI understand content
Format	Plain text directives	Markdown with structure
Content	Allow/disallow rules	Content descriptions and links
Target	Search engine crawlers	AI language models
Focus	Access control	Content understanding

Important: llms.txt does NOT replace robots.txt. Both files serve different purposes and should coexist on your website.

Best Practices

Following the guidelines from llmstxt.org, here are key best practices:

Keep it concise and focused

AI models work best with clear, structured content. Aim for 1000-2000 words maximum, focusing on your most important pages and features.

Use descriptive link text

Instead of "click here" or just URLs, use descriptive text that explains what each link contains. This helps AI understand the purpose of each page.

Update regularly

Keep your llms.txt in sync with major site changes. Outdated information can lead to AI providing incorrect details about your site.

Include contact information

Add a contact section so AI can direct users to proper support channels when they have questions beyond the documentation.

Test with AI assistants

After deploying, test your llms.txt by asking AI assistants about your site. This helps verify that the information is being parsed correctly.

The Future of llms.txt

As AI becomes more integrated into how people find and consume information online, standards like llms.txt will become increasingly important. The llmstxt.org community continues to evolve the specification based on real-world usage and feedback.

Emerging Trends

More websites adopting llms.txt as a standard practice
AI assistants preferentially using llms.txt for site information
SEO tools incorporating llms.txt optimization
Potential integration with other web standards
Industry-specific llms.txt templates and guidelines

Ready to Create Your llms.txt?

Join thousands of websites making their content AI-friendly. Our generator tool makes it easy to create a spec-compliant llms.txt file in minutes.

Generate Your llms.txt Read Official Spec

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Documentation

Complete guide to using our platform

What is an LLM?

Understanding Large Language Models

Examples

Real-world llms.txt implementations