How to Use an LLM.txt File to Improve Your AI Search Visibility
- The AI Guide
- Oct 10, 2025
- 3 min read
Search is changing fast. People are no longer just typing into Google — they’re asking AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for answers.
These new “AI search engines” read your website differently. They don’t just look at keywords — they look for clear, structured, and well-explained content that’s easy for language models to understand.
That’s where your LLM.txt file comes in. This guide explains what it is, why it matters, and how to make sure your business is ready for the future of search.
What Is an LLM.txt File?
An LLM.txt file tells AI systems how to interpret, summarise, or reference your website’s content. It’s similar to a robots.txt file, but designed for Large Language Models (LLMs) — the technology behind tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
In simple terms:
It helps AI know which parts of your site are accurate, relevant, and safe to use in AI-generated answers.
A well-structured LLM.txt file can help your business appear more clearly in AI-driven search results — a growing part of how people discover information online.
Why It Matters for Your Business
AI search engines are becoming gateways to discovery, not just assistants. When someone asks ChatGPT or Gemini a question like “What’s the best café in Poole?” — those systems pull from websites they trust.
Having an LLM.txt file:
Makes your content easier for AI systems to read and reference
Ensures they use accurate, up-to-date parts of your site
Prevents misuse of sensitive or outdated information
Signals that your business is AI-ready and transparent
It’s like giving AI a friendly “map” to the right parts of your site.
What goaimysite.com Highlights
If your report says “Add LLM.txt” or “Optimise for AI search,” it means:
Your website doesn’t have an LLM.txt file yet
AI crawlers can’t easily find or interpret your content
You’re missing an opportunity to appear in AI-powered search results
Setting this up now puts you ahead of most competitors — few small businesses have one yet.
How to Create an LLM.txt File
1. Create a Plain Text File
Open a blank text document and name it:
llm.txt
Save it in your website’s root folder, the same place your robots.txt lives. Example:https://www.yoursite.com/llm.txt
2. Add Basic Access Instructions
Here’s a simple version that gives AI tools permission to read your public pages:
User-agent: *
Allow: /
Disallow: /admin/
Policy: public
Contact: https://www.yoursite.com/contact
Updated: 2025-10-10
This tells AI systems:
They can use your main content
They should ignore admin or private areas
They have a way to contact you if needed
3. Add Optional Details for Clarity
You can include extra context to help AI understand your site:
Description: Official website of Smith Web Design, providing digital design and SEO services in Manchester.
Copyright: © 2025 Smith Web Design Ltd. All rights reserved.
Attribution: Required
These fields help AI tools reference your business correctly and give proper credit.
4. Keep It Up to Date
Review your LLM.txt file every few months or after major site changes.If your business description, contact page, or content focus changes, update it.
Example LLM.txt Template
You can copy and paste this version and update it for your business:
User-agent: *
Allow: /
Disallow: /admin/
Policy: public
Contact: https://www.yoursite.com/contact
Description: [Brief description of your business and website focus]
Copyright: © [Year] [Business Name]. All rights reserved.
Attribution: Required
Sitemap: https://www.yoursite.com/sitemap.xml
Updated: [Date]
Quick Wins Checklist
✅ LLM.txt file created in your site’s root folder
✅ Includes accurate description, contact link, and sitemap
✅ Updated when you change your services or branding
✅ No sensitive or private areas accidentally included
Your Next Step with goaimysite.com
When you scan your site on goaimysite.com, it checks:
Whether your LLM.txt file exists
If it includes your sitemap and contact link
When it was last updated
Whether AI crawlers can access your main content
Key Takeaway
Your LLM.txt file is a small but powerful way to prepare your website for AI-powered discovery. It helps language models understand, trust, and correctly reference your content — putting your business ahead of the curve.
As AI search becomes the norm, having this file in place ensures your website stays visible and competitive everywhere people search — not just on Google.
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