What Should Your Robot.txt File Include?

Robot txt file is one of the important aspects of website, many of you might know how it works and what is the role of this file. But still there are tons of users who are seeking for more information about robot txt file, the main question is that what robot txt file should include or not. Robot txt file is completely customizable, you can prepare it as per your requirement, in case you do not know how to create robot txt file then you can use some tools that can help you create this file. So, let’s move forward on how robot txt file plays vital role in website.

Role of Robot.txt File

Robot txt file is the plain text file that is placed at the root directory of the website in order to communicate with web crawlers. If you wish to check any website’s robot txt file simple you can type abcd.com/robots.txt. Majorly it contains instructions related to what crawlers can access to and what not.

In simple words, robot txt file exists in website to instruct web crawlers that search engine is allowed to crawl this page or specific part of website. This file allows control over the directories of website and pages about how they are crawled. Bot activity for the entire website is managed by this file.

Importance of Robot.txt for SEO & Website

Your robot.txt file should be well structured as it plays vital role for SEO and website such as:-

1. Crawling Priorities

With help of robot.txt file, direct bots pay attention on your valuable content and areas of website and skip irrelevant pages.

2. Optimization for Sitemap

It guides crawlers to sitemap for effective indexing of website and its key directories.

3. Protect Sensitive Files

Suppose there is some sensitive data of users or yours on website that with robot.txt file you disallow search engine bots to craw it.

4. Support SEO

Structured robot.txt file supports your SEO strategy and gives you better SEO result in future, because for better visibility better crawling is important.

How Does Robot.txt Work?

They are interactive with search engine crawlers, it works like a set of instructions for crawlers, which visit your website and make it indexed. When bot comes to your website they access robot.txt file that tells search engine that what part of the site it is allowed to index and what not.

Common Mistake to Avoid While Making Robot txt file

Robot txt files are simple but still some people make common mistakes, that obviously impact your website negatively, common mistakes are as follows: -

1. Wrong File Format

Do not choose the wrong format, save robot txt file as a plan text file with UTF-8 for better readability.

2. Overly Restrictive Rules

You must avoid important and critical directories from blocking with robot.txt file, it is important for SEO.

3. Skipping Testing

Frequently test of your robot.txt file is necessary, you can test it with various tools, one of the tools is Google tester in order to ensure functionality.

4. Ignoring Crawlers Differences

You can tailor rules to the behaviour of specific user agents while preparing robot.txt file.

5. Fail to Update

You need to revise the robot.txt as per your website structure changes.

Conclusion

You must have come to know about the robot.txt file, it is pretty important for website owners. Now you know how robot.txt works, IT has to be in right structure, if you have any query then do reach out us. For more informative blog stay connected with us and keep following CRSPL Technologies.