An LLM, or large language model, is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) technology that is designed to understand and generate text that sounds like it has been written by a human.
These models are trained by reading and processing large amounts of text data, from sources such as websites, books and articles, to help them learn common patterns in language.
This information allows the LLM to answer questions, summarise information and provide detailed explanations on a wide range of different topics using human-like text.
LLMs synthesize information from multiple sources across the web, rather than relying on a single source. By drawing on a broader base of knowledge from a variety of different sources, the LLM can generate a well-rounded response.
Well-known examples of LLMs include ChatGPT and Gemini, which allow users to have real-time conversations with an AI bot. These AI tools mimic human-like conversation based on the extensive knowledge that they have been trained on.
What is llms.txt?
An llms.txt is a text file that is placed at the root of a website, for example, www.engageweb.co.uk/llms.txt. This file serves as a guide for AI technologies such as ChatGPT or Gemini, helping them find the most relevant and valuable content on a website quickly and easily.
llms.txt work in a similar way to a robots.txt file, which tells search engines what parts of a website to look at, and what parts to ignore.
These files are specifically designed for large language models to help point them towards the most relevant information on the site, such as blogs or FAQs, and away from unrelated information such as menus, sidebars or adverts.
This can increase the likelihood of the content on your website appearing in AI-generated responses, as the AI model doesn’t have to waste resources digging through irrelevant information, and instead, they’re guided straight to the important stuff.
The easier it is for these AI tools to find the key information, the more likely it is to include your content within its answers.
What does an llms.txt file include?
There isn’t a specific format to follow when writing an llms.txt file, however, it is recommended to follow a consistent pattern to make it easy for AI tools to understand and follow.
To help AI tools easily understand and use llms.txt files, there are several important features to include in the document.
Title:
Include a heading using the name of your website.
For example, EngageWeb.
Short description:
Below the title, include a summary of what your website is about, and the kind of content it offers.
For example: A digital marketing agency providing services in SEO and web design. The site features blogs, case studies and resources aimed at businesses looking to grown their online presence and visibility.
Key pages and links:
You should then include a list of your most important pages. These could be guides, documents, FAQs, etc). You should include the full URL and a short description of what the page contains for each.
For example:
https://www.engageweb.co.uk/SEO
A guide to the SEO services that Engage Web offers, including information on what SEO is, how it is measured and its basic principles.
Need some help creating an llms.txt file for your website? Reach out to the team at Engage Web for expert advice today.
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