What Is llms.txt?

llms.txt is a plain-text file placed at the root of a website that acts as a guide for AI systems—especially large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity—to identify, prioritize, and understand your most valuable and AI-friendly content.

Unlike robots.txt, which tells search engines what they can or cannot crawl, llms.txt proactively points AIs to the content you want them to cite, use, or prioritize when generating answers or summaries.

Why Does llms.txt Matter for SEO in 2025?

As generative AI continues to reshape how users find information online, traditional SEO (optimizing for Google or Bing rankings) is being complemented by AI SEO—optimizing your site for visibility in AI-generated responses, chatbots, and answer engines.

AI-powered search engines generate answers by interpreting site content, not simply ranking pages. llms.txt gives you a direct way to shape how these systems perceive and present your site.

Key Benefits of llms.txt for AI SEO

1. Content Discovery

Guides LLMs to the cleanest, most relevant sections of your site, bypassing cluttered HTML, ads, and navigation bars.

2. Response Accuracy

Increases the chances of your site being cited accurately in AI-generated answers.

3. Visibility and Traffic

Boosts your representation in AI-powered search, helping attract new audiences.

4. Competitive Edge

Early adopters of llms.txt can gain an advantage as AI platforms increasingly reference these files.

5. Brand Control

Lets you influence not just where your information appears, but how it's interpreted by AIs.

What Does an llms.txt File Look Like?

The file uses simple markdown or plain text. It can include:

• A brief description of the website.
• Summaries of key topics or sections.
• Clean URLs to high-value pages (documentation, guides, FAQs, APIs).
• Optional: Extended files like llms-full.txt with more granular details.

Example

# llms.txt for www.example.com

## Site Purpose
Example.com provides technical documentation, tutorials, and API reference for developers.

## Key Resources
- /docs/api-guide
- /tutorials/getting-started
- /faq