As AI tools become a normal part of how people search, research and make decisions online, website owners need to think beyond traditional SEO. One of the newest and most important developments is the llms.txt file.
At Foxxweb Design, we can help businesses stay ahead of technical and search trends. In this post, we explain what an llms.txt file is, why your website should have one, how to create it, and how WordPress users can generate one automatically using the Yoast plugin.
What is an llms.txt file?
An llms.txt file is a plain text file placed on your websites hosting server that provides guidance to Large Language Models (LLMs) about how your content should be accessed and used.
LLMs are advanced AI systems trained to understand and generate human‑like text. ChatGPT is one well‑known example, but there are many others used by search engines, AI assistants, browsers, and business tools.
Unlike robots.txt, which controls search engine crawlers, llms.txt is designed specifically for AI models that read, summarise, quote, or reference website content.
Why do LLMs matter to your website?
LLMs are increasingly being used to:
- Answer questions instead of traditional search results
- Summarise articles and blog posts
- Recommend businesses and services
- Provide source links and citations
When someone asks an AI a question related to your industry, that AI may rely on websites it can clearly understand, trust, and reference. An llms.txt file helps make that possible.
Why your website needs an llms.txt file
Creating an llms.txt file allows you to:
- Clearly state who you are and what your site covers
- Highlight your most important pages and resources
- Indicate preferred content for summarisation or citation
- Reduce ambiguity about how your content should be interpreted
Without this file, AI systems must guess which parts of your site are most relevant or authoritative.
What information should an llms.txt file contain?
An llms.txt file is written in plain English and usually includes:
- Website name and purpose
- Brief description of your business or organisation
- Key pages you want LLMs to reference
- Important documentation, guides, or evergreen content
- Optional notes about tone, audience, or content focus
For example, a web design agency might highlight its services page, blog, and contact information, while an online publication may prioritise editorial content.
How to create an llms.txt file manually
You can create an llms.txt file using any text editor.
Steps:
- Open a plain text editor such as Notepad or VS Code
- Write a short, clear description of your website
- List key URLs you want LLMs to prioritise
- Save the file as llms.txt
The file does not require special formatting, code, or markup. Simplicity and clarity are key.
Where should llms.txt be uploaded?
The llms.txt file should be uploaded to the root directory of your website.
This means it should be accessible at:
https://yourdomain.co.uk/llms.txtPlacing it in the root ensures AI systems can easily discover it, just like robots.txt.
Using Yoast SEO to generate llms.txt in WordPress
If your website runs on WordPress, the Yoast SEO plugin can automatically generate an llms.txt file for you.
Once enabled, Yoast:
- Creates the llms.txt file dynamically
- Pulls information from your site settings and content
- Includes key pages such as your homepage, posts, and important resources
- Keeps the file updated as your site changes
This removes the need to manually edit or upload the file and ensures consistency with your SEO configuration.
For most WordPress users, this is the easiest and safest way to implement llms.txt.
How your website is missing out without llms.txt
Without an llms.txt file:
- AI tools may overlook your most valuable content
- Your site may be summarised inaccurately or incompletely
- Competitors with clearer AI signals may be referenced instead
- You lose control over how your content is introduced to AI systems
As AI‑driven search and discovery grows, this gap will become more noticeable.
Conclusion
LLMs are rapidly changing how people find and consume information online. An llms.txt file is a simple but powerful way to make sure your website is ready for that shift.
Whether you create one manually or use Yoast to generate it automatically, adding llms.txt helps ensure your content is understood, trusted, and referenced by AI tools like ChatGPT.
If you want help implementing llms.txt or preparing your website for AI‑driven search, Foxxweb Design can help.
