What is llms.txt and how do I create one?
By the GEO Pilot team · Updated
Short answer
llms.txt is a plain-text Markdown file placed at the root of a website (yoursite.com/llms.txt) that tells large language models what the site is about and links to its most useful pages. It was proposed in 2024 as a simple, LLM-friendly companion to robots.txt and sitemaps, and takes minutes to create.
What does an llms.txt file contain?
The proposed format (llmstxt.org) is short and readable:
- An H1 with the site or brand name.
- A blockquote summarizing what it is in one or two sentences.
- Optional paragraphs or bullets with key facts.
- H2 sections listing links to important pages, each with a short description.
What does an example look like?
# Acme Payroll
> Acme Payroll runs payroll for mid-size companies in 50 countries.
Key facts:
- Founded in 2018; serves 2,000+ companies
- Supports 50 countries and 30 currencies
## Product
- [Pricing](https://acme.example/pricing): Plans and per-employee prices
- [Integrations](https://acme.example/integrations): Supported HR and accounting tools
## Guides
- [How global payroll works](https://acme.example/guides/global-payroll): Step-by-step overview
How is llms.txt different from robots.txt and sitemap.xml?
| File | Audience | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| robots.txt | All crawlers | Which pages bots may or may not fetch |
| sitemap.xml | Search engines | A complete list of URLs and last-updated dates |
| llms.txt | Large language models | A curated, readable summary and the pages worth reading |
How do I create one?
- Write a one-sentence description of your brand that you'd want an AI to repeat.
- Add 5–10 key facts (what you do, for whom, notable numbers).
- List your most useful pages with full URLs and one-line descriptions.
- Save it as llms.txt at your site root and serve it as plain text.
- Keep it updated when you launch features or pages.
GEO Pilot generates an llms.txt starter for every project from your brand profile and the content you create.
Key takeaways
- llms.txt is a curated summary of your site for AI models.
- It's Markdown at /llms.txt, with full links to your key pages.
- It complements, not replaces, robots.txt and sitemap.xml.
Frequently asked questions
Do AI engines actually read llms.txt?
Support varies and isn't guaranteed. It's a lightweight, low-risk addition that gives any model or agent that reads it an accurate, curated summary of your site.
What is llms-full.txt?
A companion file that includes the full text of your key pages in one Markdown document, so a model can read everything in a single fetch.
Where should llms.txt live?
At the root of your domain: https://yoursite.com/llms.txt, served as plain text.
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