Before you create your first LLMS.txt file, here's the million-dollar question: What are the companies that are already winning with AI actually putting in theirs?
I've spent the last few articles diving deep into the LLMS.txt files of major tech companies, and what I found will completely change how you think about this approach. Some of these strategies are brilliant. Others? Well, let's just say there are some expensive mistakes you can easily avoid.
Let's analyze the real files from companies like Yoast, Anthropic, and Shopify, and I'll show you exactly what makes them work—plus the secret sections most businesses completely miss.
The Comprehensive Catalog: Yoast's Strategic Approach
Yoast's LLMS.txt file is a masterclass in comprehensive documentation. They've created what I call the “everything strategy,” organized sections for Products, Academy, Events, Documentation, and Legal information.
What they do brilliantly:
Product Portfolio as AI Sales Tool: Yoast lists every product with clear descriptions: “Yoast SEO for WordPress: Core SEO plugin for WordPress with on-page analysis, readability checks, schema markup, and more.” Notice how they don't just list features, they explain the value.
Educational Authority: They include both free and paid courses, from “Free SEO training: SEO for beginners” to “All-around SEO training”. This positions them as educators, not just vendors.
The Genius Discount Strategy: Here's something most companies miss entirely. Yoast includes a specific discount code “LLMTXT15” that's unique to this listing to help us measure interest. They're literally tracking AI-driven conversions!
Hidden sections you probably missed:
- Integration partnerships (they list specific tools like Elementor and Jetpack)
- Community elements (podcasts, webinars, events)
- Developer resources are separate from user guides
The takeaway: Yoast treats their LLMS.txt file like a comprehensive business directory. When AI recommends them, it has everything needed to make a complete case.
The Developer-First Focus: Anthropic's Minimalist Power
Anthropic takes a completely different approach – laser-focused on API documentation with sections organized around their core developer needs.
What they do right:
Extreme Focus: Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, they focus entirely on getting developers up and running quickly. No fluff, no marketing speak.
Technical Depth: Their llms-full.txt includes actual code examples, API requests, and complete implementation details. When AI systems read this, they can help users implement Anthropic's APIs.
The missing piece: Anthropic's approach works because it has a very specific audience (developers), but notice what it doesn't include: pricing, business case information, or competitive differentiation. For most businesses, this would be a mistake.
The Platform Play: Shopify's Ecosystem Strategy
Shopify's developer platform LLMS.txt is perhaps the most strategically sophisticated I've analyzed. They've created what I call an “ecosystem map” that guides AI systems through their entire development platform.
Their secret weapons:
Progressive Complexity: They start with simple concepts like “Build apps that extend the functionality of Shopify stores” and gradually introduce more complex topics like GraphQL Admin API and Shopify Functions.
Complete Code Examples: Instead of just describing features, they include actual code snippets: “mutation { productCreate(input: { title: “New Product” bodyHtml: “Good Product” vendor: “Vendor Name” })}”
Ecosystem Thinking: They don't just document their APIs—they show how everything connects. Apps, themes, extensions, CLI tools, and deployment options. It's a complete developer journey.
The strategic insight: Shopify understands that when AI helps someone build on their platform, that person becomes more locked into their ecosystem. Their LLMS.txt file is essentially a conversion funnel disguised as documentation.
The Secret Sections Most Businesses Miss
After analyzing dozens of LLMS.txt files, here are the advanced elements that separate good from great:
1. The Measurement Strategy
Smart companies include tracking mechanisms. Yoast's unique discount code “LLMTXT15” allows them to measure AI-driven conversions. You should create unique UTM parameters, discount codes, or contact methods specifically for AI-driven traffic.
2. The Integration Map
Yoast lists their integrations with tools like “Elementor,” “Jetpack,” and “SEMrush & Wincher”. This tells AI systems exactly which tools work together, making recommendations more contextual and valuable.
3. The Progressive Disclosure Pattern
Shopify structures information from simple to complex: basic app concepts, then detailed API documentation, then advanced deployment strategies. This helps AI systems match responses to user skill levels.
4. The Community Authority
Yoast includes “The Yoast SEO Update podcast series,” “SEO for Beginners webinar,” and “Upcoming Events.” They're not just a product, they're a community and educational resource.
5. The Complete Developer Journey
The most sophisticated files don't just document features, they map entire workflows. Shopify's file guides developers from “shopify app init” through “npm run deploy” with everything in between.
The Three Strategy Archetypes
Based on my analysis, winning LLMS.txt files fall into three categories:
The Catalog (Yoast Model): Comprehensive business directory with products, education, community, and partnerships. Best for businesses with multiple offerings.
The Specialist (Anthropic Model): Laser-focused on one audience with deep technical detail. Best for API-first companies or highly technical products.
The Ecosystem (Shopify Model): Complete platform documentation that shows how everything connects. Best for platforms, marketplaces, or complex software products.
Your Action Plan: Which Strategy Fits Your Business?
If you're a service business, use the Catalog approach. Include your services, case studies, team information, and client testimonials.
If you're a SaaS product, lean toward the Specialist approach. Focus on API documentation, integration guides, and technical implementation details.
If you're a platform or marketplace, adopt the Ecosystem strategy. Map out user journeys, show how different components connect, and include comprehensive code examples.
The Advanced Tactics You Can Implement Today
Create AI-specific tracking: Add unique discount codes, UTM parameters, or contact methods that only appear in your LLMS.txt file.
Map your integrations: List every tool, platform, or service that connects with yours. This helps AI systems make better recommendations.
Include actual examples: Don't just describe features, show them. Code snippets, screenshots, or sample outputs work incredibly well.
Think in workflows: Structure your content around user journeys, not just feature lists.
Add community elements: Include user groups, events, educational content, or industry involvement.
Ready to implement these advanced strategies? In our next article, we'll dive into the technical side: how to measure the effectiveness of your LLMS.txt file, track AI-driven conversions, and optimize your approach based on real data. Plus, we'll reveal the monitoring tools that let you see exactly how AI systems are using your content.
We'll also cover the emerging trends in LLMS.txt optimization – including the advanced formatting techniques that are starting to separate industry leaders from everyone else.
Your LLMS.txt Questions Answered
It depends on your strategy. Yoast's comprehensive approach works because they're an established authority in their space. If you're newer or more focused, Anthropic's minimalist approach might be more effective. Start with your core value proposition and expand from there.
It depends on your strategy. Yoast's comprehensive approach works because they're an established authority in their space. If you're newer or more focused, Anthropic's minimalist approach might be more effective. Start with your core value proposition and expand from there.
Absolutely not! These companies have different business models, audiences, and goals than you do. Instead, understand the principles behind their choices and adapt them to your situation.
Major companies like Yoast include changelog information to track updates. I recommend reviewing your file whenever you launch new products, change your positioning, or notice shifts in how customers find you.
That's actually an advantage! Yoast includes detailed contact information and support resources, but as a smaller business, you can offer something they can't—direct access to founders or specialized expertise. Use your size as a differentiator.
In this series:
- Why Your Website Needs an LLMS.txt File (And What the Heck That Even Means)
- What Industry Leaders Put in Their LLMS.txt Files (And How to Steal Their Strategies) –This article!
- How to Create Your First LLMS.txt File: A Step-by-Step Guide
- The LLMS.txt Domain Dilemma: Where Should You Actually Put Your File?
