Introduction to Llms.txt
Llms.txt is a proposed standard for a new content format that large language models can use to retrieve the main content of a web page. This format allows web publishers to provide a curated, Markdown-formatted version of the most important content on their website. The llms.txt file is located at the root level of a website, making it easily accessible to large language models.
What is Llms.txt Used For?
Llms.txt is not similar to robots.txt, which is used to control robot behavior on a website. Instead, the purpose of llms.txt is to provide content to large language models, allowing them to retrieve the main content of a web page without having to deal with non-content data such as advertising, navigation, and other unnecessary information.
The Concern About Duplicate Content
There is a concern that Google may view llms.txt as duplicate content, which could potentially harm a website’s search engine rankings. This concern arises from the fact that someone outside of the website might link to the llms.txt file, causing Google to surface that content instead of or in addition to the HTML content.
Google’s Stance on Llms.txt
Google’s John Mueller addressed this concern, stating that it wouldn’t make sense for Google to view llms.txt as duplicate content, assuming the file itself is useful and not identical to an HTML page. However, Mueller also suggested that using a noindex header for llms.txt could make sense, as it would prevent the content from being indexed and potentially causing issues for users.
Using Noindex for Llms.txt
Using a noindex header for llms.txt is a good idea because it prevents the content from entering Google’s index. This is different from using robots.txt to block Google, which would only prevent Google from crawling the file and would not allow Google to see the noindex header. By using a noindex header, web publishers can ensure that their llms.txt file is not indexed by Google, avoiding any potential issues with duplicate content.
Conclusion
In conclusion, llms.txt is a proposed standard for providing content to large language models, and it is not intended to be indexed by search engines like Google. While Google may not view llms.txt as duplicate content, using a noindex header can help prevent any potential issues. By understanding the purpose and use of llms.txt, web publishers can ensure that their website is optimized for large language models and search engines, providing the best possible experience for users.