llms.txt Explained

llms.txt is a simple Markdown file at the root of your site that tells AI systems what your site is and which pages matter — a GEO-era companion to robots.txt and sitemaps.

Updated: June 2026 Reading time: 5 minutes

What is llms.txt?

It is a proposed standard: a plain-Markdown file at /llms.txt giving large language models a curated overview of your site and links to your most important pages, in clean text they can read.

Why it matters for GEO

AI crawlers benefit from a concise, structured map of your best content. llms.txt is a low-effort way to make your site more legible to generative engines.

How to create one

  • Create a file at the root: /llms.txt.
  • Start with an # H1 site name and a one-line summary.
  • List key pages as Markdown links grouped by section.

CheeseBridge publishes its own at /llms.txt as an example.

Frequently asked questions

Is llms.txt the same as robots.txt?

No. robots.txt controls crawling; llms.txt offers a curated, human-readable map of your best content for AI systems.

Is llms.txt required?

No, it is an emerging convention, not a requirement — but it is quick to add and low-risk.

Where does llms.txt go?

At the root of your domain, served at /llms.txt.