AI is changing how people discover and consume content online. Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude are increasingly being used to answer questions, summarize information, and even recommend businesses. Have you ever wondered how these AI systems know what they can (or can’t) use from your website?
That’s where the LLMs.txt file comes in. Just like how robots.txt tells search engines how to crawl your site, sitemap.xml tells which pages needs to be crawled, LLMs.txt gives guidance to AI tools about how to use your content.
Let’s break it down.
What is LLMs.txt File?
AI systems like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini are starting to use LLMs.txt to interpret websites. It ensures your content is clearly structured, discoverable, and categorized in a way that aligns with how AI models learn from your site.
The LLMs.txt file is a plain text file placed in the root directory of your website. It sets rules for AI crawlers and LLMs, telling them how your content should (or shouldn’t) be used.
Think of it as a signboard at the entrance of your website—welcoming AI tools to explore, but with clear instructions on what’s allowed.
Why is LLMs.txt Important?
LLMs.txt gives you a say in how AI tools use your website content. Without it, language models might pick up and use your content however they want.
With LLMs.txt, you can:
- Decide which parts of your site AI can or can’t use.
- Ask for credit (attribution) when your content is mentioned.
- Protect sensitive or private information from being accessed.
In short, it’s about having control—making sure your content is used in the way you’re comfortable with.
What Does LLMs.txt Do?
LLMs.txt is like giving instructions to AI tools when they visit your website. Instead of letting them guess, you can spell things out clearly:
- Tell them which pages they’re welcome to use.
- Block them from areas you don’t want shared.
- Ask them to give you credit when they use your content.
In other words, LLMs.txt helps you set the rules so AI understands your website the way you want it to.
Difference Between LLMs.txt, Robots.txt, and Sitemap.xml
If you’re already familiar with SEO basics, you’ve probably worked with robots.txt and sitemap.xml. Now, with the rise of AI tools, LLMs.txt has joined the family. Each of these files plays a different role, but together, they create a strong framework for how your website interacts with both search engines and AI models.
Here’s a breakdown:
1. Robots.txt – The Gatekeeper for Search Engines
- Purpose: Tells search engine crawlers like Googlebot or Bingbot which parts of your site they can or cannot visit.
- Example use: Preventing bots from indexing admin pages, checkout flows, or private folders.
- Why it matters: Keeps search engines focused on your valuable pages and protects sensitive areas from being crawled.
User-agent: *
Disallow: /admin/
Disallow: /private/
Sitemap: https://example.com/sitemap.xml
2. Sitemap.xml – The Roadmap for Your Website
- Purpose: Acts as a structured map of your website that lists important URLs.
- Example use: Helping search engines discover new blog posts, product pages, or updated content quickly.
- Why it matters: Ensures nothing important gets missed by crawlers. It’s especially useful for large websites with thousands of pages.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<urlset xmlns="http://www.sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9">
<url>
<loc>https://example.com/</loc>
<lastmod>2025-09-10</lastmod>
<changefreq>daily</changefreq>
<priority>1.0</priority>
</url>
<url>
<loc>https://example.com/about</loc>
<lastmod>2025-09-05</lastmod>
<changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
<priority>0.8</priority>
</url>
</urlset>
3. LLMs.txt – The Guide for AI Models
- Purpose: Provides instructions specifically for Large Language Models (LLMs), telling them how your content can be used.
- Example use: Allowing AI bots to use your blog articles for summaries but disallowing them from training on your gated premium resources.
- Why it matters: Protects your intellectual property while ensuring AI systems represent your content fairly and accurately.
An LLMs.txt file is written in plain text and can include instructions like:
# Title
> Optional description goes here
Optional details go here
## Section name
- [Link title](https://link_url): Optional link details
## Optional
- [Link title](https://link_url)
– The Markdown format allows AIs to process content faster.
How They Work Together
- Robots.txt sets the ground rules for traditional search engine crawlers.
- Sitemap.xml makes sure those crawlers can find and index your content efficiently.
- LLMs.txt takes it a step further by guiding AI systems on what they can use and how they should treat your content.
Things to Consider When Creating an LLMs.txt File
- Keep rules clear and consistent.
- Update regularly as your content strategy evolves.
- Think ahead—AI regulations and guidelines are still evolving.
The goal isn’t to block everything, but to give AI tools the right signals.
Example of an LLMs.txt File
Here’s a simple illustration:
# https://purpleleaf.ai
> Purple Leaf is an AI-driven platform designed to streamline social media content creation and management by generating tailored posts from website content. It offers a suite of AI-powered tools including post generators for multiple social platforms, content scheduling, image generation, and SEO optimization features. The website targets marketers, content creators, and businesses seeking to enhance their social media presence and adapt to AI-powered search trends. It also provides educational,
## Start Here
- [AI Social Media Post Generator | Boost Your Brand with | ](https://purpleleaf.ai/): Boost your brand visibility with Purple Leaf's AI-powered social media post generator. Streamline content creation and engage your audience effortlessly.
- [About Purple Leaf | AI Social Media Planner | Content ](https://purpleleaf.ai/about/): Discover Purple Leaf, the ultimate AI-driven social media planner and content calendar. Simplify content management and elevate your social media strategy.
- [AI Social Media Post Generator | Boost Your Brand with | ](https://purpleleaf.ai/pricing/): Boost your brand visibility with Purple Leaf's AI-powered social media post generator. Streamline content creation and engage your audience effortlessly.
## Products
- [AI Readiness Tool - Purple Leaf](https://purpleleaf.ai/ai-readiness-tool/): Evaluate your website's AI optimization with Purple Leaf's AI Readiness Tool, offering instant scores and improvement suggestions.
- [AI-Powered Alt Text Generator Tool for Websites](https://purpleleaf.ai/alt-text-generator/): Generate perfect, SEO-friendly alt text for all your website images with our AI-powered Alt Text Generator. Fast, accurate, and optimized for Google & AI.
- [AI Social Media Post Generator | Boost Your Brand with P](https://purpleleaf.ai/ecommerce/): Boost your brand visibility with Purple Leaf's AI-powered social media post generator. Streamline content creation and engage your audience effortlessly.
- [Facebook Post Generator - Purple Leaf](https://purpleleaf.ai/facebook-post-generator/): Generate Facebook posts tailored to your brand and audience quickly with Purple Leaf's AI-powered post generator.
- [Generate Recommended Images Instantly - Purple Leaf](https://purpleleaf.ai/generate-recommended-images-instantly/): Purple Leaf analyzes your post content and creates images that suit your post content and audience.
- [Instagram Caption Generator - Purple Leaf](https://purpleleaf.ai/instagram-caption-generator/): Generate tailored Instagram captions with Purple Leaf's AI that understands your brand and audience for fresh, engaging posts.
- [LinkedIn Post Generator - Purple Leaf](https://purpleleaf.ai/linkedin-post-generator/): Generate tailored LinkedIn posts from your website content with Purple Leaf's AI-powered post generator tool.
- [Threads Content Generator - Purple Leaf](https://purpleleaf.ai/threads-content-generator/): Build community on Threads by generating tailored posts from your website content quickly and easily with Purple Leaf.
- [X-Twitter Tweet Generator - Purple Leaf](https://purpleleaf.ai/x-twitter-tweet-generator/): Leverage your website to create Twitter Posts that spark engagement and drive word of mouth
## Guides
- [How to Schedule a Post with Purple Leaf](https://purpleleaf.ai/how-to-schedule-a-post-with-purple-leaf/): Learn to schedule your social media posts quickly using Purple Leaf. Follow our simple steps and keep your content calendar organized with ease!
- [How to Share a Post Using Purple Leaf](https://purpleleaf.ai/how-to-share-a-post-using-purple-leaf/): Learn how to quickly share posts with Purple Leaf using share and copy buttons to publish on social media platforms.
- [Why TL;DR Summaries Are Crucial for AI & SEO Success](https://purpleleaf.ai/tldr-summary-why-your-first-few-lines-matter-for-ai-seo/): Learn why TL;DR summaries boost SEO and AI visibility. Discover best practices to frame your content, improve clarity, and increase search trust.
**Sitemap:** https://purpleleaf.ai/sitemap.xml
**Attribution:** Please cite the canonical page when quoting our content.
How to Add LLMs.txt to Your Website
- Generate your LLMs.txt file (manually or with a tool).
- Save it as llms.txt.
- Upload it to your site’s root directory (e.g., www.example.com/llms.txt).
- Test to confirm it’s accessible.
How to Create LLMs.txt Easily
Manually writing an LLMs.txt file can be tricky, especially if you’re unsure what to allow or block. That’s why we built a tool that generates LLMs.txt files for you—fast, accurate, and ready to upload. No coding, no confusion. Just clear AI-ready instructions for your website.
Why It’s Important to Monitor Requests
Creating an LLMs.txt file is only the first step. You should also:
- Check how AI crawlers interact with your site.
- Adjust rules as your content grows.
- Stay updated with AI compliance standards.
It’s a living document, not a one-time task.
Ready to Get Started?
With Purple Leaf’s LLMs.txt Generator, you can create and manage your file in just a few clicks—making your site AI-ready and easier for language models to interpret. You can also keep your sitemap.xml fresh and accurate to ensure both search engines and AI tools fully understand your content.
