In one sentence
llms.txt is a proposed text file at the root of a website that gives AI models a short, plain guide to the site's most important pages, though no major AI assistant has confirmed it uses one.
How an llms.txt file works
The file lives at yoursite.com/llms.txt and is written in Markdown. It opens with your brand name and a one-line summary, then lists links to the pages that matter most, each with a short description: key collections, bestsellers, sizing guides, shipping and returns.
The idea, proposed in 2024, is that an AI model can read one clean file instead of wading through menus, scripts and pop-ups to find what a site is about.
llms.txt vs. robots.txt vs. sitemap: what each file does
- What it says · robots.txt: Which pages crawlers may read · Sitemap: Every page you want indexed · llms.txt: The pages that matter most, in plain words
- Who reads it · robots.txt: Search and AI crawlers · Sitemap: Search engines · llms.txt: AI models, if they choose to
- Status · robots.txt: Long-standing standard · Sitemap: Long-standing standard · llms.txt: Proposal, not a standard
Does llms.txt help your store show up in AI answers?
Not proven. The major AI assistants have not said they use llms.txt when deciding which brands to recommend, and Google has said its search systems don't use it.
What does move AI answers today: pages that answer shoppers' questions clearly, accurate structured data, a robots.txt that lets AI crawlers in, and mentions on the sites AI reads.
How to create an llms.txt file for your store
- Start with your brand name as a heading and a one-sentence description of what you sell.
- List your most important pages with a short line on each: top collections, bestsellers, buying guides, FAQs, shipping and returns.
- Keep it short and current. Remove links to discontinued products.
- Place it at the root of your domain. Some platforms need an app or a redirect to serve a file there.
llms.txt FAQs
Do I need an llms.txt file?
It's optional. It costs little to add and does no harm, but treat it as a small extra, not a strategy. Spend your time on the pages AI actually reads first.
Can I add llms.txt to a Shopify store?
Yes, but not by uploading a file to the root, which Shopify doesn't allow. Stores usually add one through an app or by serving it from a page with a redirect.
Does llms.txt replace robots.txt?
No. robots.txt controls which crawlers can access your site. llms.txt only suggests what to read. If robots.txt blocks an AI crawler, an llms.txt file won't help.
About the author
Jenn Starr, Co-founder, Selix
Jenn has spent 20+ years helping SaaS startups build their marketing and implementation playbooks. She has bootstrapped three marketing agencies and is a 500 Startups alum. At Selix, she leads the work of getting ecommerce brands named in AI answers.
Related terms