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AI Robots.txt Visibility Checker

Analyze your robots.txt file for AI bot visibility. Get instant recommendations based on your actual site structure and generate an optimized robots.txt file.

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We'll analyze your robots.txt file, check sitemaps, and provide AI optimization recommendations

Understanding AI Optimization

What is AI Robots.txt Optimization?

AI robots.txt optimization involves configuring your robots.txt file to control how AI crawlers like GPTBot, ClaudeBot, and PerplexityBot access your website content. Unlike traditional SEO robots.txt that focused only on search engines, AI optimization ensures your content is discoverable by AI platforms while protecting sensitive areas of your site.

Major AI Bot User Agents

Understanding which AI crawlers access your site and how to configure access for each platform.

GPTBot

Critical

OpenAI (ChatGPT)

Primary crawler for ChatGPT model training and real-time browsing

User-agent: GPTBot

ClaudeBot

High

Anthropic (Claude)

Crawler for Claude AI model training and content analysis

User-agent: ClaudeBot

PerplexityBot

High

Perplexity AI

Real-time research and citation crawler for Perplexity responses

User-agent: PerplexityBot

Google-Extended

Medium

Google AI

Google's AI training crawler for Gemini and other AI models

User-agent: Google-Extended

ChatGPT-User

Medium

OpenAI

User-initiated browsing requests from ChatGPT interface

User-agent: ChatGPT-User

Meta-ExternalAgent

Medium

Meta AI

Meta's AI crawler for content analysis and model training

User-agent: Meta-ExternalAgent

Platform-Specific Optimization Strategies

Each AI platform has unique requirements and preferences for robots.txt configuration. Optimize for each platform to maximize your AI visibility and content discovery.

ChatGPT / GPTBot

Educational content focus with comprehensive access

Optimization Recommendations:

  • Allow broad access to educational content
  • Enable access to FAQ and help sections
  • Provide clear navigation paths
  • Allow product documentation access

Example Configuration:

User-agent: GPTBot
Allow: /
Allow: /help/
Allow: /faq/
Crawl-delay: 2

Claude / ClaudeBot

Analytical content with structured data access

Optimization Recommendations:

  • Provide access to research and analysis content
  • Enable structured data endpoints
  • Allow comprehensive product catalogs
  • Include technical documentation

Example Configuration:

User-agent: ClaudeBot
Allow: /
Allow: /api/structured-data/
Allow: /research/
Crawl-delay: 2

Perplexity / PerplexityBot

Citation-worthy content with authority signals

Optimization Recommendations:

  • Enable access to authoritative content
  • Allow research and data sections
  • Provide access to expert content
  • Enable citation and reference pages

Example Configuration:

User-agent: PerplexityBot
Allow: /
Allow: /research/
Allow: /experts/
Crawl-delay: 3

Google AI / Google-Extended

Featured snippet optimization with structured access

Optimization Recommendations:

  • Optimize for featured snippet content
  • Enable structured data access
  • Allow FAQ and how-to content
  • Provide clear content hierarchy

Example Configuration:

User-agent: Google-Extended
Allow: /
Disallow: /private/
Allow: /structured-data/
Crawl-delay: 1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about AI robots.txt optimization and best practices for e-commerce sites.

How do I allow GPTBot in my robots.txt file?
To allow GPTBot access, add 'User-agent: GPTBot' followed by 'Allow: /' in your robots.txt file. GPTBot is OpenAI's web crawler used for training and improving ChatGPT models. You can also set a crawl delay with 'Crawl-delay: 2' to manage server load.
What's the difference between GPTBot and ChatGPT-User?
GPTBot is OpenAI's automated web crawler for model training that runs continuously, while ChatGPT-User represents real-time browsing requests initiated by ChatGPT users during conversations. Both should be configured in your robots.txt for optimal AI visibility, but they serve different purposes.
Should I block AI crawlers from my e-commerce site?
For most e-commerce sites, allowing AI crawlers increases product visibility and can drive traffic through AI recommendations. However, you should block access to sensitive areas like admin panels, customer data, checkout processes, and private user information while allowing access to product catalogs and public content.
How often should I update my robots.txt for AI platforms?
Review your robots.txt quarterly or when new AI platforms emerge. AI crawlers and their user agents evolve frequently, with new platforms launching regularly. Monitor industry updates and adjust your configuration to include new AI bots as they become available.
What happens if my robots.txt blocks AI crawlers?
Blocking AI crawlers can result in reduced visibility in AI-generated responses, potentially losing traffic and sales opportunities. Your products won't appear in AI shopping recommendations, and your content won't be cited in AI responses. This is particularly important for e-commerce brands competing in AI-first search.
Can I use the same robots.txt rules for all AI platforms?
While you can use general rules, each AI platform has different behaviors and requirements. Some platforms respect crawl delays differently, and some may require specific user agent configurations. Our tool generates platform-optimized rules based on your site structure and business type.
How do I protect sensitive content while allowing AI access?
Use specific 'Disallow' directives for sensitive paths like /admin/, /checkout/, /account/, and /private/ while allowing access to public content with 'Allow: /'. This ensures AI platforms can access your marketing and product content while protecting user data and internal systems.
Do AI crawlers respect crawl-delay directives?
Most major AI crawlers respect crawl-delay directives, but implementation varies. GPTBot typically respects delays of 1-3 seconds, while other crawlers may have different behaviors. Our tool provides platform-specific recommendations for optimal crawl delay settings based on your server capacity.
Traffic Emergency?

AI Blocking Your Traffic? Get Immediate Help

If your robots.txt configuration is blocking AI crawlers and causing traffic decline, our priority response team can analyze and fix your configuration within 24 hours using the VISIBLE Framework methodology.

1

Emergency Analysis

Immediate robots.txt audit to identify AI blocking issues

2

Rapid Implementation

Quick deployment of optimized AI-friendly configuration

3

Traffic Recovery

Monitor AI platform access and traffic restoration

VISIBLE Framework™ Phase 1: Verify your technical foundation with AI-optimized robots.txt configuration. Part of our comprehensive 7-phase AI visibility methodology.

Next Steps in AI Visibility Optimization

Your robots.txt is just the beginning. Explore our complete AI visibility toolkit and discover how the VISIBLE Framework can transform your online presence.

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AI Visibility Score

Measure your share of voice across AI platforms using question-based testing. Discover how ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity respond to conversational queries about your industry.

VISIBLE Framework

Learn our complete 7-phase methodology for AI visibility optimization and traffic recovery.

Choose Your Path Forward

Whether you're ready to implement yourself or need expert guidance, we have the right solution for your AI visibility needs.

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