llms.txt is a proposed standard: a Markdown file at your domain root (yoursite.com/llms.txt) that gives AI models a curated map of your most important content. The format: an H1 with your site name, a blockquote summary, then H2 sections listing links as [name](url): description. A companion llms-full.txt holds the full text. Adoption by AI providers is not yet universal, so treat it as low-cost insurance, not a ranking lever.
The llms.txt format
Plain Markdown, in this order. Only the H1 is strictly required.
| Element | Required | What it is |
|---|---|---|
# Site name | Yes | An H1 with the project or site name |
> Summary | Recommended | A blockquote with a short description of the site |
| Prose (zero or more paragraphs) | Optional | Extra context, no headings |
## Section + link lists | Recommended | H2 sections, each a list of [name](url): description |
## Optional | Optional | Links an AI can skip when the context window is tight |
A minimal example
# Lawrence Hitches
> AI SEO consultant. Guides on getting cited in AI search.
## Cheatsheets
- [AI SEO Cheatsheet](/ai-seo-cheatsheet/): the umbrella reference
- [AEO Cheatsheet](/aeo-cheatsheet/): the citation checklist
## Optional
- [About](/about/): background and credentialsllms.txt vs llms-full.txt vs robots.txt
| File | Purpose |
|---|---|
llms.txt | A curated index of links for AI models to follow |
llms-full.txt | One file with the full text of your key pages, inlined for ingestion |
robots.txt | Crawl rules (allow or disallow). A different job: it controls access, not curation. See the robots.txt cheatsheet |
The honest read: no major AI provider has confirmed it reads llms.txt for ranking, so do not expect a lift. It is cheap to ship, harmless, and doubles as a clean content map. Pair it with the AI SEO cheatsheet.
Frequently asked questions
What is llms.txt?
llms.txt is a proposed Markdown standard, a file at your domain root that gives AI models a curated map of your most important pages. It uses an H1 site name, a blockquote summary, and H2 sections of links with descriptions.
Where does llms.txt go?
At your domain root, served at yoursite.com/llms.txt, the same place as robots.txt. The companion llms-full.txt, which inlines the full text of key pages, also sits at the root.
Does llms.txt actually help AI visibility?
Unproven. No major AI provider has confirmed it uses llms.txt for ranking or citation. Treat it as low-cost insurance and a tidy content map. Your crawlable, extractable on-page content matters far more.
Is llms.txt the same as robots.txt?
No. robots.txt controls which crawlers can access what. llms.txt curates which pages you want AI models to read. One restricts access, the other recommends content.
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