What is llms.txt?

What is llms.txt?

llms.txt is a proposed standard for providing AI language models with a concise, structured summary of your website's essential information. While robots.txt tells crawlers what they can access, llms.txt tells AI systems what they should know about you.

The format was proposed to solve a problem: AI crawlers might index thousands of pages but miss the core information about what your brand does and why it matters.

Why llms.txt Matters for AI Visibility

AI systems face challenges understanding websites:

Information scatter: Key facts spread across many pages

Marketing noise: Important details buried in promotional copy

Structure variance: Every site organizes information differently

llms.txt provides a single, authoritative source of key information in a format optimized for AI consumption.

llms.txt File Format

The standard uses a markdown-based format:

# BrandName
> One-sentence description of what you do
About
Two to three paragraph description of your company,
products, and target audience. Include key differentiators
and the problems you solve.
Products/Services

Product 1: Description and key benefits
Product 2: Description and key benefits
Product 3: Description and key benefits
Key Features
Feature 1: What it does
Feature 2: What it does
Feature 3: What it does
Pricing
Free tier: What's included
Pro: $X/month - What's included
Enterprise: Contact for pricing
Use Cases
Use case 1: Who benefits and how
Use case 2: Who benefits and how
Contact
Website: https://yourdomain.com
Support: support@yourdomain.com
Twitter: @yourbrand

Where to Place llms.txt

Place the file at your domain root:

https://yourdomain.com/llms.txt

Similar to robots.txt and sitemap.xml, AI crawlers look for it at this standard location.

llms.txt vs robots.txt vs sitemap.xml

FilePurposeAudience robots.txtAccess controlAll crawlers sitemap.xmlPage discoverySearch engines llms.txtBrand understandingAI systems

They serve complementary functions:

robots.txt controls access

sitemap.xml helps find content

llms.txt helps understand content

What to Include in llms.txt

Essential sections:

Brand identity: Name, tagline, core offering

Product/service descriptions: What you sell

Key differentiators: Why choose you

Pricing information: Plans and costs

Target audience: Who you serve

Contact information: How to reach you

Optional but valuable:

Competitor positioning

Integration information

Social proof (awards, notable customers)

FAQ summaries

llms.txt Best Practices

1. Be concise but complete

AI systems prefer clear, direct information. Aim for 500-1500 words total.

2. Use structured formatting

Headers, bullets, and tables help AI parse information.

3. Include specific facts

Numbers, dates, and concrete details are more useful than vague claims.

4. Update regularly

Keep pricing, features, and product information current.

5. Match your website

Information should align with your actual website content.

llms.txt Adoption Status

As of early 2026:

The format is emerging but not universally adopted

Major AI providers haven't officially endorsed it

However, structured summary files benefit crawlers regardless

Early adoption may provide competitive advantage

Think of llms.txt as an investment in future AI visibility. Even if not officially required, it helps AI systems understand your brand.

Generating llms.txt

You can create llms.txt:

Manually: Write it based on your key brand information

With tools: Use generators like BrandVector's llms.txt generator

From templates: Start with the format above and customize

Common llms.txt Mistakes

1. Too long

Keep it focused. A 10,000-word llms.txt defeats the purpose.

2. Marketing fluff

Skip the superlatives. AI systems want facts, not hype.

3. Outdated information

Stale pricing or discontinued products create bad AI experiences.

4. Missing key information

Don't forget basics: what you do, who you serve, how much it costs.

5. Inconsistency with website

If llms.txt says one thing and your website says another, AI may get confused.

llms.txt and Your AI Visibility Strategy

llms.txt complements other optimization efforts:

Allows AI crawlers (robots.txt + llms.txt)

Helps AI understand your brand (llms.txt)

Provides detailed content (your website)

Builds authority (third-party sources)

Consider llms.txt as your elevator pitch to AI systems—a concise summary that ensures they understand who you are and what you offer.