AI tools are everywhere, but what if there was a simple way to guide them through your website—just like robots.txt does for search engines?

That’s exactly what llms.txt aims to do.

Created by technologist Jeremy Howard, llms.txt is a proposed standard to help large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity crawl, read, and understand websites better.

What Is llms.txt?

Think of it as a stripped-down, AI-friendly version of your site. Instead of fancy HTML, pop-ups, and navigation menus, the llms.txt file gives LLMs direct access to clean, organized text.

This helps:

  • Reduce crawl strain on LLMs
  • Give AI tools faster, clearer access to your content
  • Let you control what content gets seen or emphasized

You can include:

  • Direct URLs
  • Full page summaries
  • Even complete raw text versions of your pages

One creator’s own llms.txt file holds 115,000+ words and nearly 1MB of content!

Why Does It Matter?

In short, AI tools need structure, and this gives them exactly that. Here’s how it helps:

  • SEO and GEO benefits by surfacing clearer content
  • Protects proprietary material from unintended scraping
  • Boosts AI visibility by highlighting key info
  • Improves chatbot responses by offering clean data
  • Simplifies internal analysis by giving you a full-text site snapshot

And while it doesn’t block crawlers like robots.txt, it does act as a guide—especially for those LLMs that choose to follow it.

What Goes in an llms.txt File?

You can build your file in multiple ways:

  • A simple list of pages
  • Markdown (.md) versions of your most important content
  • A fully flattened text version of your entire website

It’s flexible and designed to be readable by both humans and machines.

Sample llms.txt Files in the Wild

Check out how big players are already using it:

These examples show how brands are flattening their content to make it easier for AI tools to digest.

Tools to Help You Generate One

Want to make your own file? These tools can help:

Always check for security before using any third-party tool.

Challenges and Limitations

Like any new standard, llms.txt isn’t perfect.

  • Not all LLMs obey it yet
  • It might overlap with robots.txt or XML sitemaps
  • Some worry it exposes too much data to competitors
  • There’s a risk of keyword stuffing and low-quality optimization

Plus, some in the SEO world are skeptical, believing search engines and LLMs are already merging too much for this to matter.

Why It Still Deserves Attention

Despite pushback, llms.txt offers real benefits—especially in a world where AI answers are replacing traditional search.

  • You guide AI tools instead of leaving it to chance
  • You get a ready-made flat version of your entire website
  • You create a standardized entry point for future AI tools

And let’s be honest: If you want your content to become the answer an AI gives, this may be one more step toward making that happen.

Will It Become a Standard?

That’s still unclear. Adoption is growing, but it’s far from universal. However, if AI continues to power more of search and content discovery, llms.txt could become a basic must-have—just like robots.txt or XML sitemaps.

Early adopters may gain a competitive edge, both in visibility and in technical performance.

Final Thoughts

The world of GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is still forming. There are no clear playbooks, and very few tools are backed by science.

But llms.txt offers structure, flexibility, and a new kind of clarity for LLMs—and that’s a solid start.

If you publish lots of content or run a high-visibility brand, this file might just help you stand out in an AI-powered web.

FAQs

What is llms.txt?
It’s a proposed file format to help LLMs crawl and understand website content.

Does it block LLMs?
No. It provides guidance, not hard restrictions like robots.txt.

Is it good for SEO?
It may boost your visibility in AI-generated answers—especially in tools like ChatGPT and Claude.

Is adoption growing?
Yes, slowly. Some major platforms already use it, while others are testing.

Should I implement it?
If you want to prepare your site for the future of AI search, it’s worth exploring today.