The use of an llms.txt file and clear robots.txt guidelines

The use of an llms.txt file and clear robots.txt guidelines

LLMs now ‘read’ the web like search engines. Use llms.txt to guide models toward the right pages and context, and robots.txt to block what shouldn’t be crawled.

LLMs are language models. Their number has been growing rapidly in recent times. Examples include ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Claude. These LLMs are increasingly being used as search engines. This actually makes sense. Let’s take Google as an example. You enter your query and get pages full of results in return. You have to determine for yourself which result is the best. When you enter the same query into an LLM, you receive one clear answer. There’s no need to search further. It’s therefore not surprising that LLMs are being used more often as search engines. They provide users with answers by collecting text and
knowledge. For website owners, this means that their content may be read, analyzed, and reused by AI models. With an llms.txt file, you can regain more control over this as a business owner.

The difference between an llms.txt and a robots.txt file

An llms.txt file is designed to give you more control over the context that AI models can read, analyze, and reuse. The file acts as a kind of guide for language models. It helps them understand which parts of your website are relevant and which are not. There is also another important file: the robots.txt file. This one is used to indicate which AI tools should not have access. For example, you can specify that ChatGPT is not allowed to use your content. Below, we explain more about these files and how to use them effectively for your business.

What is an llms.txt file?

Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is an llms.txt file? LLMS stands for Large Language Models Text. It’s intended to help language models interpret website content more accurately. The robots.txt file tells search engines what they are not allowed to do, while the llms.txt file tells them what they are allowed to know. With an llms.txt, you can highlight which pages are most important for understanding your website. You can point out which documents or topics should have priority and which background information is important for context or summaries. You can also indicate which sections of the website are less relevant. This ensures that AI tools don’t randomly scan your entire site but instead focus more efficiently on the right content.

The purpose of an llms.txt file

The main purpose of an llms.txt file is to make the relationship between websites and AI systems more transparent. Language models build their knowledge using large amounts of data, and they increasingly seek reliable and up-to-date sources. An llms.txt file provides structured information about what can be found on your website. You can think of it as a summary showing where the real value of your website lies. AI tools follow these instructions, which helps them interpret your content more accurately and create better summaries. It also allows them to cite your website properly and avoid using outdated or irrelevant pages.

How llms.txt and robots.txt work together

Both llms.txt and robots.txt files are stored in the root directory of a domain. However, that doesn’t mean they have the same purpose. A robots.txt file manages what crawlers and search engines are allowed to do. For instance, which folders may or may not be visited. An llms.txt file doesn’t target search engines or crawlers but focuses on language models like ChatGPT. It mainly indicates which content is valuable or relevant. This means the two complement each other. You can prevent unnecessary server load and protect sensitive data with a robots.txt file, while an llms.txt file helps make your valuable content more understandable and accessible. The combination of both gives you maximum control over how your content is used. Why llms.txt is important for businesses As we use AI tools more often, the need for control over online content increases too. Businesses want transparency and want to know how their content is being used, especially since AI tools often generate answers based on existing content. An llms.txt file provides this control. It allows companies to decide for themselves what they want to share with AI tools. They can highlight their most important information and reduce the risk of misinterpretation. Ultimately, this helps protect a company’s reputation, as it ensures that outdated or irrelevant information isn’t reused. In short, an llms.txt file gives businesses a voice in how their content is accessed by AI.

How to create an llms.txt file

There is no fixed standard for an llms.txt file, but it’s best to use a simple, readable text structure. The file usually begins with a short introduction explaining what the website is about and what its purpose is. This is followed by sections that reference important parts of the website, such as the homepage, blog, or product pages. You can also assign priority. For example, stating that product pages are more important than blog posts. The key is to keep the file concise. Too much detail can confuse AI tools. It’s also very important to keep your llms.txt file up to date.

Preventing ChatGPT from reading your website

Not every company is comfortable with AI tools like ChatGPT using their content. You may not want your text and images to be analyzed or reused by an AI model. In that case, you can prevent it with a robots.txt file. This file allows you to block specific bots from accessing certain parts of your website. You can indicate that AI agents such as ChatGPT are not allowed to visit your site, while still allowing regular search engines like Google to do so. Each bot identifies itself with a specific user-agent. This lets you block AI agents while continuing to allow legitimate crawlers to collect data.
Blocking AI crawlers You can block user-agents or crawlers from visiting your website. In the case of ChatGPT, there are two main user-agents: GPTBot and ChatGPT-User. GPTBot collects content for model training, while ChatGPT-User is used for ChatGPT’s browser feature. If you block these two in your robots.txt file, they can no longer visit your site or process its content.

Companies can ignore this block

It’s important to understand that companies are technically able to ignore the restrictions you set. A robots.txt file works on a voluntary compliance basis, which means it is not legally binding. ChatGPT is an AI tool developed by OpenAI, and this company generally respects robots.txt files. Unfortunately, malicious bots can still choose to ignore these instructions. Also, note that a block only applies to content that has not yet been crawled or processed. Anything already collected will not be removed from existing datasets simply because a new block has been added. Using both files effectively for your business For most businesses, the best approach is to use both llms.txt and robots.txt, each serving a different purpose. Use llms.txt to describe how your website is structured, what information is important, and what context is needed to interpret it correctly. Use robots.txt to indicate which content should not be accessed or processed, for example when it is copyrighted. Together, they help you maintain control and transparency.

Step-by-step plan for businesses

If you don’t yet use llms.txt and robots.txt files but want more control, follow these steps.
1. Identify what you want to share Start by deciding what you want to make available. Determine which parts of your website are suitable for AI tools to read — such as knowledge articles, guides, or FAQs. Focus on the sections that contribute to a better understanding of your brand or product.
2. Define what you want to protect Next, determine what information you want to keep private. This might include client cases or internal reports — anything you don’t want AI tools to analyze. These sections can be listed in your robots.txt file so that AI crawlers skip them.
3. Create a draft llms.txt file Write a short introduction explaining your site’s structure and purpose. Then outline the main sections of your website. Keep it short, clear, and up to date.
4. Publish both files Upload both files to the root directory of your domain. They must be easily accessible to automated systems. Check via the correct URLs that the files are publicly visible.
5. Keep evaluating and communicate internally

Regularly check for new user-agents or crawlers and update your files when necessary. Make
sure everyone in your organization understands the purpose of these files to prevent technical mistakes.

Take control of how your content is used

Information is now shared, accessed, and reused more freely than ever through AI systems. Website owners generally have little control over this, unless they use llms.txt and robots.txt files. The combination of these two ensures that it’s clear what AI may access and what it may not. It also helps guide AI tools on how to interpret your content correctly. When used consciously, these text files allow you to retain control over all your online content. Do you have questions about how to implement these files effectively for your business? Feel free to contact us.

Daniel

Start a conversation?

Talk to us! We’re here to listen, help, and turn your ideas into reality!

Talk to Daniel
 

Visit

Haarlemmerstraatweg 79
1165MK Halfweg
Make an appointment

Connect

80sinteractive

Making your brand more interactive.

80sinteractive is a registered company in the Netherlands. Company Number 70919534.
2008 - 2025 © All rights reserved.