Robots.txt tells crawlers where they can go; llms.txt tells AI models what matters on your site.
Both are small text files at your site root, but they serve different audiences. One is established; the other is emerging.
Scroll sideways to see all columns.
| Aspect | robots.txt | llms.txt |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Search and AI crawlers | AI models and LLMs |
| Purpose | Allow or block crawling | Highlight key content |
| Status | Long-standing standard | New, not universal yet |
| Location | yoursite.com/robots.txt | yoursite.com/llms.txt |
Do you need both
- Yes to robots.txt. Every site should have a correct one.
- llms.txt is optional. Emerging and low-effort, with possible upside.
- Neither secures content. They guide crawlers, they do not enforce.
Bottom line: A site that uses robots.txt needs correct rules; llms.txt is an optional, low-effort extra. Neither secures content. Both just guide crawlers.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both llms.txt and robots.txt?
A site that uses robots.txt needs correct rules. llms.txt is optional and emerging, so treat it as a low-effort experiment rather than a requirement.
Does llms.txt control AI crawlers?
Not really. It highlights key content for AI models; robots.txt is what actually allows or blocks crawlers, including many AI bots.
Will llms.txt help me rank in AI search?
There is no established ranking benefit. Google says llms.txt does not affect its search visibility or rankings. Other systems may choose to use it, so treat it as optional documentation rather than a ranking tactic.
Further reading: Google explains the limits of llms.txt.