Definition
Robots.txt is a text file that tells search engine crawlers which parts of a website they should or shouldn't access. Located at the root of a website (yoursite.com/robots.txt), this file provides instructions to automated bots about which pages or sections to avoid crawling. While robots.txt serves as guidance for well-behaved crawlers, it functions as a polite request rather than a security measure—it cannot actually prevent access to content. Website owners use robots.txt to manage crawl budget, block administrative areas from indexing, and guide search engines toward their most important content.
Use Cases & Examples
Blocking Unwanted Content from Search Results
Website owners use robots.txt to prevent search engines from crawling and indexing pages that shouldn’t appear in search results. This includes administrative areas, duplicate content sections, or pages that are still under development. For example, blocking access to “/admin/” or “/test-pages/” ensures these areas remain private from search engine indexing.
Managing Server Resources and Crawl Budget
Large websites use robots.txt to control how search engine crawlers use server resources. By blocking crawlers from accessing resource-intensive pages or frequently changing content that doesn’t need indexing, websites can ensure crawlers focus on important pages. This helps prevent server overload and makes better use of the limited time search engines spend crawling each site.
Directing Crawlers to Important Content
Robots.txt can include sitemap locations, helping search engines quickly find and understand a website’s structure. It can also block crawlers from less important sections while allowing full access to priority content areas, effectively guiding search engines toward the most valuable pages on the site.
WordPress
WordPress automatically generates a basic robots.txt file that typically allows all crawlers to access all content. Many WordPress sites customize this file to block access to specific directories like “/wp-admin/” (administrative area), “/wp-includes/” (core files), or “/wp-content/uploads/” (media files that don’t need direct indexing). WordPress SEO plugins often provide user-friendly interfaces for editing robots.txt without manually editing files. Some WordPress sites also use robots.txt to block access to attachment pages or author archives that might create duplicate content issues.
References & Resources
Original specification for robots.txt implementation:
Google’s official documentation and best practices: