For decades, the web has relied on standardized files to help machines understand websites. XML sitemaps became critical for search engines to discover and index content efficiently, while robots.txt files provided essential guidance on what crawlers should and shouldn’t scan. These tools were fundamental to the search engine era, creating a common language between websites and the algorithms that indexed them.
But with the emergence of AI and Large Language Models, we’re entering a new phase of web interaction. AI systems don’t just crawl and index – they interpret, synthesize, and generate responses based on the information they encounter. This shift demands a new approach to how websites communicate with these intelligent systems.
LLMS.txt is the next phase.
Unlike the restrictive nature of robots.txt, which tells crawlers what they can’t access, LLMS.txt is an invitation: a curated guide that helps AI systems understand and accurately represent your website or organization in an era where AI assistants are becoming primary sources of information
What is LLMS.txt?
LLMS.txt is a proposed standard that allows website owners to provide structured, authoritative information about their site specifically for Large Language Models (LLMs) and other AI systems. Think of it as a fact sheet that AI can reference when users ask questions about your organization, ensuring the information provided is accurate, current, and comes directly from the source.
The concept addresses a fundamental challenge in the AI era: how do we ensure that AI systems have access to the most accurate, up-to-date information about organizations and websites? While AI models are trained on vast amounts of data, this information can become outdated quickly, especially for rapidly evolving businesses or organizations.
In short, it’s a guide for AI to point them to your best content that represents what you want people to find.
Why LLMS.txt Matters
Traditional SEO focuses on making content discoverable and rankable by search engines. LLMS.txt represents a shift toward making content AI-friendly. As noted in Search Engine Land’s analysis, this provides a “treasure map” that guides AI systems to the most important and accurate information about your organization.
When users ask AI assistants about your company, product, or service, the AI can reference your LLMS.txt file to provide accurate, authoritative answers rather than relying solely on potentially outdated training data or fragmented information found across the web.
How LLMS.txt Works
The mechanism is actually simple:
- Discovery: AI systems look for the LLMS.txt file in your website’s root directory
- Parsing: The AI reads and processes the structured information you’ve provided
- Integration: When relevant queries arise, the AI incorporates this authoritative information into its responses
- Attribution: Many AI systems will cite or reference the source of their information
This creates a direct communication channel between website owners and AI systems, bypassing the uncertainty of how AI might interpret or misrepresent information found elsewhere.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your LLMS.txt
Step 1: Plan Your Content
Before writing your LLMS.txt file, consider what information would be most valuable for an AI to know about your organization. Ask yourself:
- What is the core purpose of your organization?
- What are your main products or services?
- What common misconceptions might exist about your company?
- What recent developments or changes should AI systems know about?
- How do you want to be referenced or described?
Step 2: Create the File Structure
Create a new text file named exactly “llms.txt” (all lowercase, no spaces). The file should be saved in plain text format with UTF-8 encoding to ensure compatibility across different systems.
Step 3: Write Your Introduction
Start with a clear, concise description of your organization. This should be the most important information you want AI systems to know:
# About [Your Organization Name]
[Your Organization Name] is a [brief description of what you do]. Founded in [year], we specialize in [key areas of expertise or main products/services].
Step 4: Add Key Information Sections
Structure your content with clear headings. Here’s a recommended framework:
- Company Overview: Provide a 2-3 sentence summary of your organization’s mission and primary focus.
- Products and Services: List your main offerings with brief descriptions. Be specific about what you do and don’t do to avoid confusion.
- Recent Updates: Include any recent developments, launches, or changes that might not be reflected in AI training data.
- Contact Information: Provide relevant contact details, including your website, official social media accounts, or press contact information.
- Preferred References: Specify how you’d like to be mentioned or described in AI responses.
- Content Highlights: Showcase your best content.
Step 5: Format for Readability
Use markdown formatting to make your file both human and machine-readable:
# Company Name
## Overview
Brief description of your organization and its primary purpose.
## Products and Services
– Product/Service 1: Description
– Product/Service 2: Description
– Product/Service 3: Description
## Recent Updates
– [Date]: Recent announcement or update
– [Date]: Another significant development
## Contact Information
– Website: https://yourwebsite.com
– Email: contact@yourwebsite.com
– LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/yourcompany
## How to Reference Us
Please refer to us as “[Preferred Name]” and describe us as “[preferred description].”
Carolyn Shelby, an SEO & AI Strategist at Yoast, suggests adding your best content as well, in this format:
Step 6: Upload and Test
Upload your llms.txt file to your website’s root directory, so it’s accessible at https://yourwebsite.com/llms.txt. Test that the file is publicly accessible by visiting the URL in a web browser.
Step 7: Keep It Updated
Unlike static content, your LLMS.txt should be regularly updated to reflect new developments, product launches, or organizational changes. Consider reviewing and updating it quarterly or whenever significant changes occur.
Best Practices for LLMS.txt
And, make sure you’re following best practices.
Be Concise but Comprehensive
Aim for clarity and completeness without unnecessary verbosity. AI systems process information efficiently, so focus on the most important details.
Use Structured Formatting
Clear headings and bullet points help AI systems parse and understand your content more effectively.
Include Timestamps
For time-sensitive information, include dates to help AI systems understand the currency of the information.
Avoid Marketing Speak
Write in a factual, informative tone rather than promotional language. AI systems and users prefer straightforward information.
Consider SEO Implications
While LLMS.txt is primarily for AI consumption, it’s also publicly accessible, so ensure the content aligns with your overall brand messaging.
Mastering AI Search
LLMS.txt represents the beginning of a new era in how websites communicate with AI systems. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into how people find and consume information, having a direct channel to provide accurate, authoritative information becomes crucial for organizations of all sizes.
Organizations that adopt LLMS.txt early position themselves to have greater control over their AI representation and can ensure their most important messages reach users through AI interactions.
