WordPress: How to Create an llms.txt File for AI Search

Prepare your website for the future of search by guiding AI crawlers to your most important content.

The digital landscape is rapidly changing with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs). These technologies are transforming how people find information online, moving from traditional search results to AI-powered summaries and conversational interfaces. For WordPress website owners, this means proactively managing how AI models interact with your content to ensure it remains discoverable and accurately represented.

Why Your WordPress Site Needs an llms.txt File

Traditional Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) focused on keywords and backlinks for search engines. Now, generative AI, like Google's AI Overviews or ChatGPT, can summarise vast amounts of web content, providing direct answers without users visiting your site. This shift can impact organic traffic and brand visibility.

An llms.txt file is a new, proposed standard designed to communicate specifically with AI bots and LLMs. Similar to robots.txt, it allows you to control which parts of your site AI models can access, interpret, and use for training or content generation, and crucially, which areas to exclude. For WordPress sites, llms.txt offers control over how your valuable content is consumed by AI, safeguarding intellectual property and ensuring accurate brand messaging. This proactive measure is essential for maintaining authority and driving traffic in an AI-first world.

WordPress's Advantage in the AI Era

As the world's most popular Content Management System (CMS), WordPress is well-suited to adapt. Its open-source nature, extensive plugin ecosystem, and supportive community provide flexibility for integrating new web standards. Unlike restrictive platforms such as Squarespace or Wix, WordPress allows custom solutions, specialised plugins, and core modifications to meet llms.txt requirements. This adaptability helps WordPress site owners stay ahead in AI-readiness.

Understanding the llms.txt Specification

An llms.txt file is a plain text file, typically formatted in Markdown, located in your website's root directory (e.g., https://yourdomain.co.uk/llms.txt). It acts as a curated guide for LLMs, highlighting your most relevant content. AI models need focused, structured input for accurate summaries and effective training. llms.txt provides this streamlined, AI-friendly overview, often with links to detailed Markdown versions of pages, allowing you to shape how AI perceives and uses your content, ensuring clarity and preventing misinterpretation.

llms.txt vs. robots.txt: A Quick Comparison

Both files guide automated agents, but their roles differ:

Feature/Aspect	robots.txt	llms.txt
Purpose	Controls access for traditional search engine bots	Guides AI/LLM crawlers
Affects SEO Rankings	Yes, impacts traditional search visibility	No direct impact on traditional SEO rankings (as of 2025)
Content Display Impact	Influences what appears in traditional search results	Shapes how content is used in AI summaries or training
File Location	https://yourdomain.co.uk/robots.txt	https://yourdomain.co.uk/llms.txt
Compliance Level	Widely respected by search engines	Voluntary; LLMs may or may not follow instructions

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating and Uploading Your llms.txt File

Manually creating and uploading your llms.txt file offers precise control. Please use this resource to learn ahead of making changes.

1. Create the llms.txt file:

   • Use a plain text editor (e.g., Notepad, VS Code).

   • Save a new file as llms.txt (ensure .txt extension).

   • Populate it with Markdown content following the llms.txt specification: an H1 title, a brief blockquote summary, and H2-delimited file lists with relevant URLs. For example:

   
   

   # Your Business Name Website > This website provides expert advice and services for small businesses in the UK, focusing on digital marketing and online presence. ## Essential Guides - [Getting Started with WordPress](https://yourdomain.co.uk/guides/wordpress-setup): A comprehensive guide for new WordPress users. - [SEO Best Practices for Small Businesses](https://yourdomain.co.uk/guides/seo-small-business): Tips to improve your search engine ranking. ## Our Services - [Web Design Packages](https://yourdomain.co.uk/services/web-design): Explore our bespoke web design solutions. - [Digital Marketing Strategy](https://yourdomain.co.uk/services/digital-marketing): Learn about our tailored marketing plans. ## Latest Blog Posts - [The Future of AI in Content Creation](https://yourdomain.co.uk/blog/ai-content-creation): An article discussing AI's impact on writing. - [Top 5 WordPress Plugins for 2025](https://yourdomain.co.uk/blog/top-wordpress-plugins): Our recommendations for essential plugins.

   
   

2. Upload via FTP/SFTP or cPanel File Manager:Place llms.txt in your WordPress installation's root directory (where wp-config.php and wp-content are located).

   
   

   • Using an FTP/SFTP Client: Connect with a client (e.g., FileZilla). Navigate to your WordPress root and upload llms.txt.

   • Using cPanel File Manager: Log in to cPanel, open File Manager, navigate to public_html, and upload llms.txt.

   • 
     

3. Verify Accessibility:After uploading, confirm public accessibility by navigating to https://yourdomain.co.uk/llms.txt in your browser. You should see the raw Markdown content.

   
   

Leveraging WordPress Plugins for Easier Management

Plugins offer a convenient, integrated approach. Search the official WordPress plugin repository for "LLM.txt generator" or "AI content control." Look for well-reviewed, regularly updated plugins compatible with your WordPress version. SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or

Rank Math may also integrate llms.txt functionalities.

• Installation and Configuration: Install and activate your chosen plugin from the WordPress dashboard. Follow its instructions to configure your llms.txt file, typically by selecting pages/post types to highlight or exclude for AI. Some plugins may automate Markdown content generation.

  
  

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• 404 Error (File Not Found): If https://yourdomain.co.uk/llms.txt returns a "404 Not Found" error, ensure llms.txt is in your WordPress root directory (e.g., public_html), alongside wp-config.php.

• Changes Not Appearing: If updates don't show, clear your WordPress cache (using a caching plugin or your hosting provider's control panel) and re-check.

• AI Models Not Following Instructions: llms.txt is a voluntary standard. While major AI crawlers are expected to comply, not all may immediately. Ensure correct formatting and consider contacting specific AI service providers if issues persist.

  
  

Key Takeaways for AI-Ready WordPress

• Proactive Control: llms.txt provides control over how AI models interpret your website's content.

• Simple Implementation: Create and upload the file manually or use a WordPress plugin.

• Protect Your Brand: Guide AI to ensure accurate brand messaging, correct content attribution, and intellectual property respect.

• Stay Ahead: Implementing llms.txt makes your WordPress site AI-ready, maintaining visibility and relevance in the evolving digital world.

The Wordpress eco-system can be a little complex to make sure you read and plan ahead for any changes. There are a set of useful detailed guides here.