llms.txt: worth it for a local business?

What it is

The llms.txt file is a proposal published in 2024 at llmstxt.org: a small text file at the root of your site (your-site.com/llms.txt) that summarises in Markdown who you are and which pages to read first. The idea: give language models a short, clean version of your site, without menus or ads.

What AI actually does with it

To date, no major assistant (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude) has announced using llms.txt to choose the businesses it recommends. The format is mostly used by technical documentation sites, for AI coding tools.

In other words: an llms.txt won't get you recommended. What matters far more:

1. a site readable without JavaScript and open to AI search crawlers;
2. a complete Google Business Profile and reviews;
3. being listed in the directories and guides AI consults.

So, should you have one?

Yes, after the basics, because:

• it takes 5 minutes;
• it does no harm;
• if assistants start reading it, you'll be ready;
• the exercise forces you to summarise clearly what you do, where and for whom: that text will serve you again on your site and listings.

What it should contain

• a title with the business's exact name;
• a one-sentence summary (trade, city, speciality);
• your services, in your customers' words;
• your key pages (services, pricing, contact);
• your contact details, identical to your Google profile.

Our llms.txt generator builds it from a form, right in your browser.