Table of Contents
Key points
- llms.txt is a proposal. It’s not required, but it’s gaining interest.
- It’s a plain text file used to organize or describe language model data.
- Developers wants to use it to keep things clear and consistent across systems.
- You can open it with a text editor. No special tools needed.
- Its strength is simplicity. That’s what makes it practical.
What Exactly Is llms.txt?
It’s a plain .txt file. No extra formatting.
No special syntax.
It’s just structured in a way that works well for certain kinds of technical project, mostly those involving large language models.
If you’ve worked on machine learning or handled big sets of text data, you know that organizing everything cleanly is a challenge.
That’s where llms.txt can help.
It’s used as a kind of reference or index. You can list data sources, point to key files, or set parameters for a project. It doesn’t try to do everything. It just helps you keep track of what matters.
And that’s often enough.
Are AI crawlers actually using llms.txt?
No, not yet. It’s still a proposed standard. Even though some websites host llms.txt, major AI providers haven’t confirmed support. Google, OpenAI, Anthropic but none have said they follow it when crawling websites
Some early testers like Anthropic, Cloudflare, and Yoast SEO… are experimenting with it.
WordPress plugins now auto-generate llms.txt.
Public directories list domains that use it.
But adoption is still minimal
On SEO blogs and dev forums, the conversation is active. But it’s mostly speculative. Critics ask if llms.txt really offers any advantage, given limited support
What seems for me still confusing is that company that are starting to push it like SEMRush, doesn’t use it for themselves. See here : https://www.semrush.com/llms.txt
but Hostinger them is using it : https://www.hostinger.com/llms.txt
And I feel like the way they did it can be a good inspiration for most of us.
So why do people use llms.txt?
The point of llms.txt is simple: make it easier to manage text data.
In a lot of technical setups, especially with large language models, you need a file that keeps track of what’s being used, where things are stored, and how the system should behave.
llms.txt can do that.
It helps teams avoid confusion. When everyone uses the same format, things are easier to read, update, and share. You don’t need to guess where the data is or how it’s structured, the file tells you.
So it becomes a sort of blueprint.
Nothing fancy. Just a clear list of what’s what.
Why Does llms.txt Matter?
These days, data is everywhere. Projects move fast. People change teams. Files pile up. Without structure, things fall apart.
That’s why llms.txt is getting attention.
It’s not perfect. It doesn’t solve everything. But it offers a low-effort way to stay organized.
If you’re building something that involves a lot of text or models, it’s a small tool that can save time.
And because it’s just a text file, it works across systems.
No need to install anything. You can drop it into almost any workflow and start using it right away.
That’s the appeal.
What are the benefits
One of the standout advantages of the llms.txt format is its compatibility with a diverse array of software tools. This makes it an attractive option for users who require flexibility in their data handling processes. The file’s ease of accessibility and modification further compounds its usefulness, allowing users to quickly make adjustments as needed. For organisations, this means improved efficiency in data processing, as changes can be implemented swiftly without the need for complex operations.
The straightforward nature of llms.txt also fosters quick data interpretation. Users can easily extract meaningful insights from data stored in this format, which can be particularly beneficial for analysts who need to make data-driven decisions swiftly. Overall, the advantages offered by llms.txt make it a compelling choice for those looking to streamline their data handling processes while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to changing needs.
What is inside llms.txt
The content depends on the project. But usually, llms.txt includes key info that a system or team needs to work with a language model or dataset.
You might find:
- file paths
- dataset names
- parameters
- version info
- metadata
It’s not meant to be fancy. Just the essentials, written in a format anyone can read.
How to open and read llms.txt?
Well it is really simple.
All text editor can open a .txt file. Notepad, VS Code, Sublime, whatever you prefer. Yo don’t need any setup or install.
And if you are on your browser, just add /llms.txt after the domain and you will find it.
What is our opinion about it?
To finish, llms.txt isn’t a revolution. It’s just a smart little tool. Easy to use. Easy to share. And for a lot of people, that’s exactly what seems to be needed.
If you’re working with language models, datasets, or structured content, keep it in mind. Even for SEO / GEO marketers, this may be needed in the future to get the llms mentionning your content.
And if it doesn’t? No problem. You can drop it and move on.
No lock-in, no pressure.
That’s what makes it worth trying but I won’t spend much time on it.