Technology · SEO Glossary

What is Robots.txt?

Robots.txt is a text file at a site's root that tells search engine crawlers which paths they may or may not request.

Also known as: Robots File

Why it matters

It manages crawl access and budget, but it controls crawling rather than indexing, so it must be configured carefully to avoid blocking important pages.

Who needs it

Any site, especially large ones that need to steer crawl budget away from low-value URLs.

When it's used

Set it up at launch, and review it during audits and after structural changes.

Need help with Robots.txt?

Our team can put this into practice for your site. Start with a free audit, or explore the technical seo service.

Last updated: 2026-08-03