Google says llms.txt files are unnecessary for AI search visibility
Google's official documentation states that creating llms.txt files is not required for websites to appear in generative AI search results. An Ahrefs study of 137,210 domains in May 2026 found that 28% published an llms.txt file. Of those files, 97% received zero traffic, indicating AI bots are not actively checking for them. The data shows AI search engines retrieve information directly from HTML content rather than consulting these specialized files.
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