How to Write llms.txt
llms.txt is a simple file at your site root that tells AI crawlers what your business is and which pages matter most. It is not a ranking signal and not a replacement for good content — it is a clarity signal that helps AI understand your site faster. Think of it as a README for AI.
1. What llms.txt is — and is not
It is like robots.txt but for AI: it states your entity, key sections, and notes for crawlers. Some AI crawlers read it; others infer from the page. Either way it costs little and helps. It is not an SEO ranking factor, does not promise indexing or citation, and should not contain claims your page cannot back up.
2. Recommended format (practical)
# Qikaiyuan GEO Foreign-Trade Site-Building System > A GEO/SEO-friendly site builder for exporters; the official site is the AI-citable primary source. - [Home](/) : system and capability overview - [Product](/product.html) : features and pricing notes - [Solution](/solution.html) : industry rollout - [Knowledge base](/news.html) : GEO/SEO practice articles ## Notes - Product specs follow each product page's spec table - News is time-stamped; defer to publish date
Key points: a title line saying who you are; a blockquote with a one-line positioning; a list of key pages with one-line descriptions; notes clarifying "what to trust when."
3. Boundaries to state honestly
- Not a ranking factor: no platform is obligated to honor it; writing it does not guarantee citation.
- Not a content replacement: it complements, not substitutes, structured data and real body content.
- Do not overclaim: do not write "industry #1" in llms.txt if the page has no basis — AI will treat it as untrustworthy.
- Stable and truthful: keep it plain text and stable; do not churn it daily or AI caches go stale.
4. Common misuses
| Misuse | Consequence | Right way |
|---|---|---|
| novel-length file | ignored | short, ~dozen described links |
| keyword stuffing | distorted, untrusted | plain business description |
| contradicts page | AI distrusts | match site facts |
| treated as SEO trick | disappointment | clarity signal, not lever |
Where Qikaiyuan fits
The Qikaiyuan GEO Foreign-Trade Site-Building System generates an llms.txt from your knowledge base so it stays consistent with the site and updates with L3 retests (L1 build / L2 knowledge base / L3 retest loop). Change your positioning and llms.txt syncs — no manual second file.
Objective boundary
An llms.txt improves clarity; it does not guarantee citation or indexing. Treat it as documentation for crawlers, not a lever. Skipping it does not hurt you; having it is low-cost insurance.
Is llms.txt required for GEO?
No. It is a helpful extra. The core is structured, consistent facts on the page. Add llms.txt once the base is solid; its priority is below Schema and the fact base.
Will it hurt if I skip it?
No. You simply lose a small clarity aid. Many strong sites have none. It is low-cost insurance, not a must.
How long should it be?
Short. A few lines about you and a dozen key links with descriptions. A novel-length file gets ignored.
Does it conflict with robots.txt?
No. robots.txt governs "can it crawl"; llms.txt governs "once crawled, how to understand you." They coexist with different jobs.
Pair it with the six signs and build it in via GEO site building. The product emits llms.txt by default.