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How to Create an llms.txt File
An llms.txt file is a simple text file that acts like a table of contents for AI. It tells AI assistants what pages exist on your site, what each page is about, and where to find them. Here's exactly how to create one.
What It Is
Think of It Like a Table of Contents for AI
When ChatGPT, Perplexity, or another AI assistant visits your website, it looks for a file called llms.txt. This file gives AI a quick map of your entire site — every important page, organized by category, with a short description of what's on each page. It helps AI discover and understand your business without having to crawl every single page.
llms.txt vs. llms-full.txt — Know the Difference
- llms.txt = Your site's table of contents. Lists your pages with links and one-line descriptions. Helps AI find things.
- llms-full.txt = Your full business briefing. Contains all the details (pricing, features, comparisons, FAQs) written out in full so AI doesn't have to click through links.
- You need both. llms.txt helps AI navigate your site. llms-full.txt gives AI all the answers in one place.
What Goes In It
The Structure of an llms.txt File
Your llms.txt file follows a simple pattern: your business name at the top, a one-line description, then sections that group your pages by category — each page listed as a link with a short explanation.
The Format
- Line 1: Your business name (with a # in front of it)
# Smith's Plumbing Co. - Line 2: A one-sentence tagline (with a > in front of it)
> Fast, reliable plumbing for homes in Austin, TX. - Then: Sections for each category of pages (## Section Name)
## Services - Under each section: Links to pages with a colon and short description
- [Emergency Plumbing](https://smithsplumbing.com/emergency): Same-day response for burst pipes and major leaks
What Categories to Include
- Core pages (home, pricing, about, contact)
- Your services or products
- Industry or niche pages (if you serve specific industries)
- Comparison or pricing pages
- Resources, guides, or learning content
- Legal pages (privacy, terms)
Step-by-Step
How to Write Your llms.txt File
Open Any Text Editor
Use Notepad (Windows), TextEdit (Mac), or Google Docs. You're just writing plain text — no special software needed.
Write Your Name & Tagline
First line: # followed by your business name. Second line: > followed by a one-sentence description of what you do.
List Your Pages by Category
Group your pages into sections. For each page, write the page name as a link, then a colon, then a short description of what's on that page. One line per page.
Include Every Important Page
Don't just list your homepage. Include service pages, pricing, industry pages, comparison pages, and anything else you'd want AI to know about. The more complete, the better.
Save as llms.txt & Upload
Save the file with the exact name "llms.txt" (all lowercase). Then upload it to your website so it's accessible at yoursite.com/llms.txt.
Example
What a Finished llms.txt Looks Like
Here's a real example for a fictional plumbing company. Copy this structure and replace the details with your own pages.
Example: Local Plumbing Company
Notice how it's organized like a table of contents — each page gets one line with a link and description:
# Smith's Plumbing Co.
> Fast, reliable plumbing for homes in Austin, TX since 2009.
## Core Pages
- [Home](https://smithsplumbing.com): Overview of our plumbing services and service area
- [Pricing](https://smithsplumbing.com/pricing): Service call rates, repair costs, and installation pricing
- [About](https://smithsplumbing.com/about): Family-owned since 2009, licensed and insured
- [Contact](https://smithsplumbing.com/contact): Phone, email, and online booking
- [Reviews](https://smithsplumbing.com/reviews): 4.9 stars from 340+ Google reviews
## Services
- [Emergency Plumbing](https://smithsplumbing.com/emergency): Same-day response for burst pipes, major leaks, sewer backups. Available 24/7.
- [Drain Cleaning](https://smithsplumbing.com/drains): Clogged sinks, showers, and main lines with camera inspection
- [Water Heater](https://smithsplumbing.com/water-heater): Installation, repair, and replacement for tank and tankless systems
- [Re-piping](https://smithsplumbing.com/repiping): Full home re-pipes for older galvanized or polybutylene pipes
- [Fixture Install](https://smithsplumbing.com/fixtures): Faucets, toilets, garbage disposals, dishwasher hookups
## Service Areas
- [Austin](https://smithsplumbing.com/austin): Plumbing services in Austin, TX
- [Round Rock](https://smithsplumbing.com/round-rock): Plumbing services in Round Rock, TX
- [Cedar Park](https://smithsplumbing.com/cedar-park): Plumbing services in Cedar Park, TX
## Resources
- [FAQ](https://smithsplumbing.com/faq): Common plumbing questions answered
- [Blog](https://smithsplumbing.com/blog): Plumbing tips and maintenance guides
## Legal
- [Privacy Policy](https://smithsplumbing.com/privacy): Privacy policy
- [Terms](https://smithsplumbing.com/terms): Terms of serviceWhy This Format Works
What AI Does With Your llms.txt
How AI Uses This File
- Discovery: AI bots that follow links (like Perplexity) use it to find and index all your important pages
- Context: The one-line descriptions help AI understand what each page is about before visiting it
- Organization: The categories help AI understand how your business is structured
- Efficiency: Instead of crawling your entire site randomly, AI can go straight to the relevant page
Do's and Don'ts
- DO include every important page on your site
- DO write clear, factual one-line descriptions
- DO use full URLs (https://yoursite.com/page)
- DO organize pages into logical categories
- DO update it when you add or remove pages
- DON'T put detailed pricing or feature info here — that goes in llms-full.txt
- DON'T use marketing language in descriptions — just say what the page is
- DON'T include pages that are behind a login or password
- DON'T forget to also create an llms-full.txt with the detailed info
Next Steps
Upload It & Create Your llms-full.txt
Upload Guides for Your Platform
Don't Forget llms-full.txt
Your llms.txt is the table of contents. Now you need llms-full.txt — the detailed version that contains all your pricing, features, comparisons, and FAQs written out in full. This is where AI finds answers to specific questions without needing to follow links.
- Include full pricing breakdowns with all tiers and add-ons
- Write out how your service works step by step
- Add competitor comparisons with specifics
- Include FAQs that answer the questions people ask AI
- Add negative constraints (what you DON'T do)