What we observe
We request /llms.txt once and record whether it is there. Where it is, Lighthouse’s own three format checks apply: a heading line, links, and at least 50 characters. Where it is not, Lighthouse counts its check as not applying, and so do we.
Why it is here: the evidence
Fact only No platform document and no independent study says it matters. We record it because it is true of the site, so it is never offered as advice about AI.
Source: Google Search Central: you do not need AI text files or new markup for its AI features; Lighthouse checks llms.txt only when one exists. Source grade A: read at the source: the document, the code or the study itself.
Last re-checked ; due again within 30 days.
What we cannot see
Whether any AI system reads the file. Google’s documentation says no AI text files are needed for its AI features.
Why there is no advice here
Recorded as a fact; no platform documents that it matters to AI systems, so this page gives no advice about it.
- Layer
- Read: Can an AI crawler fetch your pages and understand what is on them?
- Level
- Not part of any level.
- How common it is
- Not published yet. We publish a share only once at least 30 sites stand behind it.
- Check id
fact:llms-txt
Cite as: Invara, “How AI sees your site”, method version 1, check fact:llms-txt. https://clearsitedigital.com/how-ai-sees-sites/fact-llms-txt