What is an LLMs.txt file?
An LLMs.txt file is a Markdown file placed at the root of your website that provides a structured, AI-readable summary of your site content. It helps large language models and AI crawlers understand what your site is about, what pages matter most, and how your content is organized.
LLMs.txt is an emerging convention — not an official standard or a confirmed ranking factor. It is a low-cost technical preparation step that some AI systems may use to improve how they discover and represent your content.
Where should it be placed?
Place your LLMs.txt file at the root of your website so it is accessible at:
https://yourdomain.com/llms.txt
The file should be publicly accessible and served with a text/plain or text/markdown content type.
Basic LLMs.txt format
LLMs.txt uses standard Markdown formatting. A minimal example:
# Site Name > A short summary of what this website provides. ## Main Pages - [Home](https://example.com/): Landing page. - [Pricing](https://example.com/pricing): Plans and pricing. - [Docs](https://example.com/docs): Documentation.
LLMs.txt example
A more complete LLMs.txt file might include multiple sections, descriptions for key links, and an optional reference to an expanded LLMs-full.txt file:
# Example SaaS > API-first analytics platform for engineering teams. ## Core Pages - [Home](https://example.com/): Product overview. - [Pricing](https://example.com/pricing): Plans. - [Docs](https://example.com/docs): Technical docs. - [API Reference](https://example.com/api): REST API docs. ## Resources - [Blog](https://example.com/blog): Engineering blog. - [Guides](https://example.com/guides): Tutorials. - [Changelog](https://example.com/changelog): Updates. ## Optional - [LLMs-full.txt](https://example.com/llms-full.txt): Full expanded content.
LLMs.txt vs robots.txt
robots.txt is a machine-readable file that tells crawlers which parts of your site they may or may not access. It is part of the Robots Exclusion Protocol and is well-established.
LLMs.txt is a human-and-AI-readable Markdown file that describes your site content and structure. It does not control access — it helps AI systems understand your site once they have access.
Think of it this way:
- robots.txt = "You may or may not enter these rooms."
- LLMs.txt = "Here is a map of the building."
LLMs.txt vs sitemap.xml
sitemap.xml is an XML file that lists URLs on your site for search engine crawlers. It is machine-readable and widely supported by Google, Bing, and other search engines.
LLMs.txt is a Markdown file that adds human context — descriptions, structure, and priorities — to the pages it references. It is designed more for AI comprehension than for search engine indexing.
Who should create one?
An LLMs.txt file is most useful for:
- Documentation sites
- SaaS products
- Developer tools
- API documentation
- Content-heavy websites
- Structured knowledge sites
- Open-source projects
- Technical content libraries
What not to expect from it
LLMs.txt is not a confirmed ranking factor. There is no guarantee that adding one will increase AI citations, improve your search rankings, or get your brand mentioned by ChatGPT or other AI products. It is a low-cost, low-risk technical preparation step — nothing more, nothing less.