llms.txt
llms.txt is a proposed plain-text file placed at a site's root that offers large language models a curated, Markdown-formatted map of the site's most important content and context. The idea is to give AI systems a clean, concise guide to key pages, similar in spirit to how robots.txt guides crawlers, though adoption by major AI providers remains limited.
Why It Matters
As AI systems increasingly read sites to answer questions, a clear llms.txt can help them find and understand your core content. Even with uncertain adoption, it is a low-cost way to prepare for an AI-first discovery layer.
Common Mistake
Assuming llms.txt is a confirmed ranking or citation factor that major engines obey. It is an emerging convention, not a guaranteed standard, so it should complement, not replace, solid content and structured data.