Is llms.txt really worth it or just another SEO trend to ignore?

I’ve been hearing more people talk about llms.txt as a way to help AI tools understand website content better. However, I’m not sure whether it provides any real benefits or if it’s just another SEO trend. Has anyone implemented it and seen any results?

As an SEO analyst working in Birmingham for several years, I’ve been following the discussions around llms.txt quite closely. From my experience, I don’t see it as a revolutionary SEO tactic, but I also don’t think it’s something website owners should completely dismiss.

The first thing to understand is that llms.txt is not designed for traditional search engines in the same way that robots.txt or XML sitemaps are. Instead, it is intended to help large language models (LLMs) and AI-powered search systems better understand a website’s most important content. Think of it as a curated guide that points AI systems toward key pages, services, resources, and company information without forcing them to interpret an entire website structure on their own.

Many people assume that adding an llms.txt file will immediately improve rankings, but I have not seen any evidence that it directly impacts Google search performance. Google has not announced llms.txt as a ranking factor, and websites are not suddenly climbing search results because they implemented one. However, AI-driven search experiences are becoming more common, and having structured content available for these systems could become more valuable in the future.

For example, if I were managing SpiderWorks UK, the llms.txt file would look something like this:

# SpiderWorks UK

> Digital agency based in Worcester, UK, providing web design, web development, digital marketing, branding, app development, and IT solutions since 2005.

## About

SpiderWorks UK is a full-service digital agency headquartered at 14 Augusta Dr, Worcester WR5 1TS. Founded in 2005 under Tony John, the agency brings 20+ years of experience in web development and digital marketing. It serves SMEs and larger organisations across the UK and internationally, with a team of 40+ professionals.

## Digital Marketing

- [SEO Services](https://www.spiderworks.uk/seo-services): Technical SEO, keyword strategy, link building, and on-page optimisation.
- [Social Media Marketing](https://www.spiderworks.uk/social-media-marketing): Strategy, content, and paid social campaigns.
- [Content Marketing](https://www.spiderworks.uk/content-marketing): SEO-driven blogs, video, and content strategy.
- [Online Advertising / PPC](https://www.spiderworks.uk/online-advertising): Google Ads, display, and paid search campaigns.
- [Email Marketing](https://www.spiderworks.uk/email-marketing): Targeted, personalised email campaigns.
- [Influencer Marketing](https://www.spiderworks.uk/influencer-marketing): Influencer identification and campaign management.
- [Online Reputation Management](https://www.spiderworks.uk/online-reputation-management): Brand monitoring and reputation strategies.

## Web Development

- [Web Development](https://www.spiderworks.uk/web-development-company): Custom builds using Webflow, Strapi, Laravel, PHP, Node.js, Next.js.
- [Web Designing](https://www.spiderworks.uk/web-designing-company): UX-led, mobile-first website design.
- [Ecommerce Solutions](https://www.spiderworks.uk/ecommerce-development): Full ecommerce builds and integrations.
- [Website Maintenance](https://www.spiderworks.uk/website-maintenance-services): Ongoing support and updates.
- [Web Hosting](https://www.spiderworks.uk/web-hosting): Cloud, dedicated, shared Linux/Windows hosting.

## App Development

- [Mobile App Development](https://www.spiderworks.uk/mobile-app-development): iOS, Android, and hybrid apps using Flutter, React Native.
- [Mobile App Marketing](https://www.spiderworks.uk/mobile-app-marketing): ASO, user acquisition, and app analytics.

## Branding

- [Branding](https://www.spiderworks.uk/branding): Brand identity, visual design, and brand strategy.
- [Video Production](https://www.spiderworks.uk/video-production): Corporate video, animation, and video marketing.
- [Brochure & Flyer Designing](https://www.spiderworks.uk/brochure-designing): Print and digital collateral design.

## IT Solutions

- [IT Solutions](https://www.spiderworks.uk/it-solutions-company): Infrastructure management, network security, cloud computing, and software development.

## Resources

- [Blog](https://www.spiderworks.uk/blog): Insights on SEO, web design, and digital marketing.

## Company

- [About Us](https://www.spiderworks.uk/company/about-us): Agency history, team, and values.
- [Contact](https://www.spiderworks.uk/company/contact-us): Get in touch — +44 7466 768835.

## Notes

- Privacy policy, client portals, and admin pages are not listed and should not be indexed.

This format gives AI systems a clear overview of the business and highlights the pages that matter most. Some implementations even include a separate llms-full.txt file containing detailed documentation, FAQs, service descriptions, and other in-depth information.

My opinion is that llms.txt is currently more of a future-focused optimization than a proven SEO strategy. It takes very little time to implement, so there is minimal downside. However, I would never prioritize it over creating high-quality content, improving technical SEO, earning authoritative backlinks, and delivering a strong user experience. Those fundamentals still have a far greater impact on visibility and organic growth.

For now, I view llms.txt as an experimental best practice. It may become more important as AI search evolves, but at this stage, it should be considered a supplementary enhancement rather than a core SEO requirement.