To Future of SEO Might be LLMs.txt
May 02, 2025
By: Terrillo Walls

What is llms.txt
Imagine you have a library and you want to guide a helper robot to certain shelves. You might put up notes that say which aisles are open and which are off limits. That’s the idea behind llms.txt for websites. It’s a simple text file that lives in the main folder of your site. It tells large language models what to read and what to skip.
Think of it like when you mark chapters in a book for a study group. You point them to the good parts and steer them away from sections that might confuse them. In the same way llms.txt gives a basic playbook for AI tools that scan your pages.
Why llms.txt Matters for SEO
Well, you might wonder why another file matters in a world full of pages and links. Here are a few key reasons
- It guides AI bots It’s like when you give a map to a delivery driver. You set a clear route and avoid wrong turns
- It cuts off noise You can keep private or low value pages out of summaries or answers
- It boosts trust When AI tools know what to skip they give better replies about your content
- It saves crawl time You avoid wasted robot visits in spots that don’t need a look
So, llms.txt helps shape the way smart engines read your site. It’s not a magic switch but it makes things clearer.
How to Create an llms.txt File
Ready to add one to your site root folder Just follow these steps
- Go to your site root
- Create a new file named llms.txt
-
Write a user agent line
- For example write User-agent *
-
Add allow or block rules
- Write Disallow /private to block a folder
- Write Allow /images to let AI read your image folder
- Save the file and upload it
It’s kind of like making a playlist for a music app. You add the songs you want and leave out the ones you don’t.
Example of an llms.txt File
Here is a simple example you can copy into your own file
# Title
> Optional description goes here
Optional details go here
### Section name
- [Link title](https://link_url): Optional link details
### Optional
- [Link title](https://link_url)
Let’s break it down
- A hash mark at the start of a line is a note you can skip
- User-agent * means the rules apply to all language bots
- Disallow /admin keeps that folder off limits
- Allow / lets AI see every other page
It’s like when you put a sign on a door that reads No Entry and another that reads Welcome.
What to Expect from llms.txt for SEO in the Future
So, what happens next Search engines are growing smarter every day and they use AI to draft answers and summaries. Adding an llms.txt file is like giving them a guide sheet.
Think of it like when you help a friend get ready for a test. You point out key facts and you say which topics they can skip. In coming months you may see search engines check for this file when they build chat replies.
Here are a few trends to watch
- AI driven snippets More summary boxes may rely on llms.txt rules
- Focused indexing Search bots will spend time on your top content and ignore noise
- Better user trust When replies cite your site in a clear way it lifts your brand tone
- Faster updates Changes in llms.txt could take effect faster than site maps
It’s kind of like when traffic signs appear overnight and you wake up to smoother drives.
Final Thoughts on llms.txt and SEO
Well, adding a llms.txt file is a small step with a clear aim. You give AI a path to follow and keep the rest for later. It’s like drawing arrows on a map instead of leaving people to guess their way.
Today any site owner can add llms.txt without deep changes to page code. In the future this file may shape how search engines talk about your pages. It’s a simple note with a big role in an AI driven web.
By adding that note you help both bots and real people find what matters on your site.