llms.txt file: role, format and tool to generate it

Have you ever heard about the robots.txt file? The llms.txt file is a bit like the same idea, but designed for the era of artificial intelligence and language models like ChatGPT. In short, it's the new web standard that allows sites to control how AIs read and understand their content.

What is a llms.txt file and why it is becoming essential

The llms.txt file is a small text file (in TXT or Markdown format) placed at the root of a website, like https://tonsite.com/llms.txt. It plays an essential role: to provide language models (LLM) clear information about the structure, content, and context of your site.

If the file robots.txt is used to tell search engines what they can explore, the llms.txt file is used to tell AIs what they need to understand. It improves the consistency of responses given by ChatGPT or other assistants when they cite your site.

Here is a table to compare the two files:

In summary, The llms.txt file does not replace SEO, it completes it. It helps AIs to better present your business, your offer and your key pages when they generate responses from the web.

The role of the llms.txt file for your website

The role of the llms.txt is toimprove visibility and control of your content in the world of LLM. AIs are increasingly relying on online data to formulate answers. If your site doesn't provide a clear guide, they may interpret or summarize your content in an approximate way.
With a well-structured file, you specify precisely:

• What content should be taken into account (product pages, articles, documentation).
  
  
• What information summarizes your business.
  
  
• Which links are priority in order to understand your offer.
  
  
• Which spaces should be ignored (like /admin or /test).
  
  

A well-designed llms.txt therefore reinforces your contextual referencing and your brand image in AI environments. It is becoming a strategic marketing and message control tool.

Format and structure of the llms.txt file

The llms.txt file is very easy to create. It follows a format that is clear and readable by any audit engine or tool. In general, it uses a structure similar to Markdown to remain readable by both humans and robots.

Here is an example of a llms.txt file :

# llms.txt - Structure example

site_name: Scroll Agency

description: Low-code web agency expert in Webflow and automations

focus: design, development, seo, automation

Important_pages:

- https://agence-scroll.com/offres

- https://agence-scroll.com/blog

- https://agence-scroll.com/contact

exclude:

- /admin

- /private

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Each line conveys clear information: site name, description, strategic links, and areas to ignore. This standard format ensures that language models read the right pages and understand the overall context of the project.

Where to place the llms.txt file on your site

The file should always be placed at the root of the site, just like the robots.txt. For example:
https://tonsite.com/llms.txt
This allows crawlers and models to easily access them.
It works on all CMS, whether it is WordPress, Webflow or a custom site.
Here are some best practices to follow:

• Check that your file is public and accessible via browser.
  
  
• Use UTF-8 encoding to avoid reading errors.
  
  
• Mention URLs in absolute terms, never in relative terms.
  
  
• Test the file after it is uploaded to check its readability.
  
  

A common mistake is putting the file in a subfolder or using the wrong format. In this case, it will not be taken into account by the AIs.

How to generate your llms.txt file in a few seconds

To make your life easier, the Scroll agency has developed a free and online llms.txt generator: llms-txt-generator.agence-scroll.com.

This tool allows you to create your llms.txt file without writing a single line of code.
All you need to do is:

1. Enter your domain name
   
   
2. Select or add the key pages of your site (offers, articles, documentation).
   
   
3. Generate your file in TXT format ready to download and place at the root of your site.
   
   

The tool respects the current web standard and produces a clear, structured file that complies with good SEO practices and communication with LLMs. It is compatible with all CMS and can be updated at any time if your offer or content changes.

Don't make these mistakes in your llms.txt file

Here are some tips for maintaining an effective llms.txt:

• Update your file as soon as you add an important new page.
  
  
• Be precise in the description and the links, avoid texts that are too general.
  
  
• Verify that the content of the URLs mentioned is public and accessible.
  
  
• Avoid duplicates between robots.txt and llms.txt: they must be complementary.
  
  
• Conduct a punctual audit to verify the consistency of the information provided.
  
  

Good documentation and a clear structure make the difference. A well-written llms.txt file improves the overall understanding of your site by the AI and strengthens your positioning.

In summary: your quick guide to the llms.txt file

• It's a standard TXT file that helps language models understand your site.
  
  
• It complements traditional SEO by adding a layer of context and structure.
  
  
• It should be placed at the root of the site and updated regularly.
  
  
• You can generate it in a few minutes using the tool developed by Scroll.
  
  

By integrating this small file into your site, you gain consistency, visibility and control over how the AIs present your content.

If you want to go further in optimizing your website, your SEO or the implementation of effective low-code tools, the Scroll agency accompanies you on the strategy, development and digital visibility of your project.

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