LLM.txt

LLM.txt is the emerging protocol answering a burning question: how do website owners tell AI models what to do with their content? Just like robots.txt, LLM.txt can sit in your website's root directory, however it is does not serve the same directive purpose. Instead, the markdown file gives clear context and recommendations for LLMs in a format that is dedicated for LLM use. It offers a simple, machine-readable way to communicate content usage preferences to AI systems.

The concept is straightforward but powerful. Website owners can specify which pages or sections are best for AI training, which content can be used for knowledge retrieval and even how they want their material cited. It's about giving creators control in an age where AI systems are constantly learning from web content.

While LLM.txt isn't universally adopted yet, it represents a crucial conversation about how AI crawlers differ from other users. For website owners, it means removing crawling friction for LLMs that don't need to parse stylistic elements. For marketers, it provides clear illustration of what is most contextually relevant to your website and business in LLMs.