Google updated its guidance on Generative AI SEO to lighten up on its previous guidance that discouraged the use of LLMs.txt and other forms of markup and markdown. The new guidance strikes a more balanced tone that acknowledges there are AI search surfaces other than Google’s that users may want to optimize for.
LLMs.txt Guidance #
Google’s guidance originally recommended that LLMs.txt and other kinds of special markup are not needed in order to rank in generative AI search, which was a broad statement that likely unintentionally encompassed all generative AI search surfaces, not just Google’s.
The new guidance tightens that passage to make it clear that the statement that special markup is not necessary for website optimization is limited to “Google Search (including its generative AI capabilities).”
Google Says Specials Markups Are Fine To Use #
A similar update is a change in the guidance so that it no longer discourages SEOs and site owners from using LLMs.txt and other tactics like markdown for LLMs. Now it simply states that Google doesn’t use them but that if people want to use them, then go ahead.
The updated guidance now says:
“It’s completely fine if you decide to create and maintain LLMS.txt files (or other similar files) for other services or systems that use these files. Doing so won’t harm (nor help) your visibility or rankings in Google Search, as Google Search ignores them.”
Guidance Is The Same But Improved #
Google’s updated Search Central web page is explicitly about optimizing websites for “generative AI features on Google Search” so there was nothing technically wrong with the previous version. Yet this is an improvement because people tend to read and quote portions out of context which can give an unintended impression. This clear that up.
As Google’s changelog notes: “Added a note to the AI optimization guide clarifying Google Search’s usage of llms.txt files.
Why: To address questions from the community and clarify that while these files aren’t needed for Google Search (and won’t negatively or positively impact your visibility or rankings), it’s fine if you want to maintain these files for other services or systems that use them.”
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