llms.txt
llms.txt is a proposed Markdown file at /llms.txt that gives language models a curated map of a site. Jeremy Howard proposed it in September 2024. As of September 2026, Google says Google Search does not use it, and no other major answer engine has documented using it. It is harmless to publish but not a ranking or citation lever.
What the proposal says
The llmstxt.org proposal suggests a Markdown file with an H1 name, a short blockquote summary and sections of links, plus optional Markdown copies of pages, to help LLMs use a site at inference time.[1]
Adoption status (September 2026)
| Engine | Documented position |
|---|---|
| Its AI guide lists llms.txt and special Markdown files as not used by Google Search: fine to keep for other purposes, but they neither help nor hurt.[2] “You don’t need to create new machine readable files, AI text files.”[3] Vendor-documented | |
| OpenAI, Anthropic, Perplexity, Microsoft | No crawler or publisher documentation mentions llms.txt.[4][5][6][7] |
Some developer tools and documentation platforms read or generate llms.txt files, which is its most practical use today. Practitioner practice
Should you publish one?
- Yes, if you run developer docs or want a cheap, curated index for AI tools that do read it.
- Don’t expect more AI citations or traffic; nothing documents that effect.
- Never put content in it that contradicts your pages.
Template
# Example Plumbing Co.
> Licensed plumbers serving Springfield since 2009.
## Services
- [Water heaters](https://example.com/water-heaters): repair and replacement
- [Drain cleaning](https://example.com/drains)
## About
- [Licenses and insurance](https://example.com/about)This site publishes an example at /llms.txt. It lists every page and notes the file’s status.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google use llms.txt?
No. Google's documentation says Google Search doesn't use llms.txt.
Is llms.txt like robots.txt?
No. robots.txt is a standard (RFC 9309) for crawl permissions. llms.txt is an unofficial proposal for a content map and controls nothing.
Can llms.txt hurt my site?
Google says it neither helps nor hurts in Google Search.
See also
References
Pages accessed September 28, 2026 unless a date is given. See all sources and our editorial policy.
- ^ "The /llms.txt file (proposal by Jeremy Howard)". llmstxt.org. Proposed September 3, 2024.
- ^ "Optimizing your website for generative AI features on Google Search". Google Search Central. Added May 15, 2026; last updated July 10, 2026.
- ^ "AI features and your website". Google Search Central. Last updated December 10, 2025.
- ^ "Overview of OpenAI Crawlers". OpenAI Platform documentation.
- ^ "Does Anthropic crawl data from the web, and how can site owners block the crawler?". Anthropic (Claude Help Center).
- ^ "Perplexity Crawlers". Perplexity documentation.
- ^ "Bing Webmaster Guidelines". Microsoft Bing Webmaster Tools.