llms.txt
A proposed plain-text file that helps AI systems find a site's most useful content.
What is llms.txt?
An llms.txt file is placed at a site's root and presents a concise description plus curated links in a Markdown-like format. It is an emerging convention, not a universal ranking directive, and should complement clear site architecture, sitemaps, and accessible content.
A documentation site publishes /llms.txt with links to its overview, quickstart, API reference, pricing, and policies.
Why it matters for AI visibility
AI answers can shape awareness and buying decisions before a person visits a website. Understanding llms.txt helps teams connect what a model says with the prompts, sources, and technical signals that influenced the result. The useful next step is to observe the evidence, compare it over time, and act on the specific gap.
How to measure or use it
- Define the scope. Choose the relevant market, prompts, models, locations, and time window.
- Keep the evidence. Save the complete answer, its citations, and the page or claim being evaluated.
- Compare patterns. Look for repeated movement across prompts and models instead of reacting to one response.
- Take a specific action. Improve the owned page, correct a claim, earn third-party inclusion, or create better evidence.