llms.txt: the file that tells AI what your site is.
In short
llms.txt is a plain-text or Markdown file at your site root (/llms.txt) that gives AI systems a clean, curated map of your business and your most important pages. It's a low-effort signal that makes your site easier to read and prioritize.
Why it matters for AI
Your site has navigation, scripts, and clutter that aren't relevant to a model. llms.txt hands AI a distilled summary, who you are, what you offer, and the URLs that matter, reducing the chance it misreads or misses your key pages.
What to put in it
- A one-paragraph description of the business (what you make or supply, for whom, where).
- Links to your most important pages with a short note on each (key products and specs, certifications, how to request a quote).
- Optional sections for documentation, FAQs, and policies.
Mini structure
# Acme Extrusions > ISO 9001 aluminium extrusion manufacturer; low- to mid-volume; ships EU & SEA. ## Key pages - /products/extrusions: profiles, alloys, tolerances, MOQs - /certifications: ISO 9001, RoHS, REACH - /quote: how to request an RFQ (specs needed, typical lead times)
Want to see a real one? This site's own llms.txt is built exactly the way we recommend.
Common questions
Is llms.txt an official standard?
It's an emerging convention, increasingly recognized. It's low-cost to add and does no harm, a sensible bet while AI reading grows.
Does it replace good HTML and schema?
No. It complements them. The page content and structured data still do the heavy lifting.