What is llms.txt?

In short

llms.txt is an optional Markdown file at the root of a website that summarizes what the site is and links to its most useful pages, proposed in 2024 as a clean map for language models.

Google's Search team has said Google doesn't use llms.txt, and Google's guide to its AI search features lists it among the things you don't need. It's cheap to add, so it does no harm, but don't expect it to change rankings or citations.

Updated October 30, 2026

Guides that cover this

What is llms.txt, and do you need one?
2 min read
Llms.txt is an optional Markdown file at the root of your site that summarizes what the site is and links to its most useful pages. Nothing you can measure today depends on it. It's cheap to add, so add a short one and move on.

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What is llms.txt?

Guides that cover this

What is llms.txt, and do you need one?

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