What Is llms.txt? How to Add llms.txt in WordPress (Manual & Plugin Methods)

Why llms.txt Matters for Website Designers and SEOs

As major AI platforms begin respecting llms.txt directives, WordPress site owners and business web designers need to adopt this protocol to control content use by AI crawlers. Whether you’re protecting premium content or asserting content licensing, adding an llms.txt file is now a key part of digital compliance.

This guide covers multiple methods to add llms.txt to your WordPress site — both manually and using SEO plugins like Rank Math or Yoast SEO.

What Is llms.txt?

llms.txt is a plain text file placed at the root of your domain (e.g., https://yourdomain.com/llms.txt). It allows you to specify how AI models can use your content, similar to how robots.txt controls search engine bots.

E-E-A-T Positioning: Authored by a Digital Marketing & Web Strategy Expert

With the rapid adoption of AI crawlers such as ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Google Gemini, website owners must implement new protocols to control how their content is used. One of the most critical emerging tools is llms.txt, a file that explicitly communicates your site’s permissions to large language models (LLMs).

Whether you’re a business web designer, SEO strategist, or WordPress developer, this guide provides a complete breakdown of how to create and add llms.txt using all available methods—including cPanel, FTP, SEO plugins like Rank Math or Yoast, and WordPress file manager plugins.

What Is llms.txt and Why It Matters in 2025?

llms.txt (Large Language Model Systems file) is a plain-text file located at the root of your domain, e.g.,

https://yourdomain.com/llms.txt. Its purpose is to tell AI bots how they can use, access, or avoid your content.

Key Benefits:

• Controls how content is used by AI models
• Provides licensing and usage information
• Establishes your site’s AI content policy
• Helps prepare for future AI regulation and compliance

Note: This does not replace robots.txt — it complements it for AI governance.

Sample llms.txt Format (Best-Practice Template)

You can customize:

• User-Agent: Limit to specific AI bots like ChatGPT, Google-Extended, ClaudeBot, etc.
• Disallow: Block specific paths or allow all
• Usage-Terms: Point to a custom AI usage policy or terms page

Full Methods to Add llms.txt in WordPress

Below are the 4 fully tested methods for implementing llms.txt in a WordPress environment.

Method 1: Add llms.txt via cPanel File Manager (Recommended)

Best for: Hosting providers with cPanel access (SiteGround, Bluehost, Hostinger)

Steps:

1. Login to cPanel
2. Navigate to File Manager > public_html
3. Click + File, name it llms.txt
4. Paste your llms.txt content (use template above)
5. Save the file
6. Visit https://yourdomain.com/llms.txt to verify it’s live

• Quick
• Doesn’t require WordPress plugin
• Full file control

Method 2: Upload llms.txt via FTP (FileZilla)

Best for: Developers and advanced users

Steps:

1. Open FileZilla and connect to your server using FTP credentials
2. Navigate to the root directory (often public_html)
3. Drag and drop your llms.txt file from your local folder
4. Check if it’s live via: https://yourdomain.com/llms.txt

• Secure
• Direct server-level access
• Requires FTP credentials

Method 3: Use a WordPress File Manager Plugin (e.g., WP File Manager)

Best for: WordPress admins who want to manage files without cPanel/FTP

Steps:

1. Install WP File Manager plugin
2. Go to WP File Manager > Root Folder
3. Right-click > Create new file > Name: llms.txt
4. Paste the content and save
5. Confirm at https://yourdomain.com/llms.txt

• Easy access
• All browser-based
• Use secure, trusted plugins only

Method 4: Link llms.txt Through SEO Plugins (Yoast SEO, Rank Math)

⚠️ Note: SEO plugins don’t yet natively support llms.txt, but you can manually link it via robots.txt or reference it in your AI policy.

A) Rank Math SEO

• Go to: Rank Math > General Settings > robots.txt
• Add reference:

# robots.txt extension
llms: https://yourdomain.com/llms.txt

B) Yoast SEO

• Go to: Yoast > Tools > File Editor
• In robots.txt, insert:

• Keeps everything SEO-aligned
• Good for transparency
• Does not create llms.txt directly

Compliance Best Practices for llms.txt

• Always use a plaintext .txt file
• Host at domain root
• Keep language clear and rights-based
• Link to a formal AI Usage Policy or Terms of Service
• Track AI bot access via server logs or Cloudflare analytics

FAQs About llms.txt Implementation in WordPress

Can I block all AI models from using my content?

Yes. Use this:

But this may reduce discoverability in AI tools like Perplexity or Google SGE.

Is llms.txt required by law?

Not yet. However, it’s rapidly becoming a best practice for publishers, businesses, and SEO professionals preparing for international AI regulation.

Will llms.txt affect my search engine rankings?

No. Search engines like Google use robots.txt, not llms.txt. This file only affects how AI models access and use your data.

Final Thoughts: Own Your Content in the Age of AI

The rise of AI-driven tools means your website’s content could be used beyond your control—unless you implement llms.txt. Whether you run an agency, manage clients’ WordPress sites, or operate a content-heavy platform, you must take steps to define how AI systems interact with your data.

Implementing llms.txt is a proactive, professional move that demonstrates leadership in digital ethics and AI readiness.