Robots.txt is a file that tells search engine crawlers which pages they can or cannot access on your site. The Robots.txt Generator helps you build Allow/Disallow rules per user-agent, add a Sitemap URL, and optionally Crawl-delay (non-standard). It blocks crawling, not indexing—use a noindex meta tag to prevent indexing. The file is generated in your browser; your rules and domain are not stored on our servers. Use it to create or update robots.txt, block crawlers from admin or private paths, or add a Sitemap reference. Robots.txt is a request, not enforcement; malicious bots may ignore it—sensitive content should be protected by auth, not only robots.txt, so if crawlers are still visiting blocked paths that is why.
Key Features
- What it is — A file that tells search engine crawlers which pages they can or cannot access on your site.
- Indexing — It blocks crawling, not indexing. Use noindex meta tag to prevent indexing.
- What you can add — Allow/Disallow rules per user-agent, Sitemap URL, and optionally Crawl-delay (non-standard). The generator helps build these lines.
- Privacy — No. The file is generated in your browser. Your rules and domain are not stored on our servers.
- No account — Use as often as you need without sign-up.
- Enforcement — Robots.txt is a request, not enforcement. Malicious bots may ignore it. Protect sensitive content with auth, not only robots.txt.
How to Use the Robots.txt Generator
- Open the Robots.txt Generator tool.
- Set domain and add Allow/Disallow rules per user-agent. Add Sitemap URL. Generate. Copy or download robots.txt.
- Use the "Use tool" button on the docs page if you are reading this from the documentation.
Real Use Cases
- New site — Create robots.txt from scratch. Allow all or disallow admin/private paths. Add Sitemap line pointing to your Sitemap Generator output.
- Block admin or private paths — Disallow /admin/, /api/, /private/. Keep public pages crawlable. Use with Meta Tag Checker to verify meta on public pages.
- Add Sitemap reference — Add Sitemap: https://yoursite.com/sitemap.xml. Helps search engines find your Sitemap Generator sitemap.
- Per-bot rules — Different rules for Googlebot vs others. Generator helps build user-agent blocks.
- Documentation — Show clients or team how robots.txt works. Explain Allow/Disallow and Sitemap.
- Compliance — Ensure sensitive areas are disallowed. Remember: blocking is a request; protect with auth too.
Why Use the Robots.txt Generator Instead of Alternatives?
- vs. Sitemap Generator — Sitemap Generator creates sitemap.xml. This tool creates robots.txt. Use both: sitemap first, then reference it in robots.
- vs. Meta Tag Checker — Meta Tag Checker checks meta tags. This tool controls crawler access. Different purpose.
- vs. Open Graph Preview — Open Graph Preview previews social share. This tool is for crawler control. Use the right tool for the task.
- vs. Manual file — No syntax mistakes. Generator builds valid robots.txt. Copy to root.
Robots.txt is a request, not enforcement. Malicious bots may ignore it. Sensitive content should be protected by auth, not only robots.txt.
Benefits for SEOs, Developers, and Site Owners
- SEOs — Control what is crawled. Reference sitemap. Standard syntax.
- Developers — Generate robots.txt for new or updated sites. No manual editing.
- Site owners — One place to create or update robots.txt. Block private paths and add Sitemap.
Common Mistakes
- Crawlers still visiting blocked paths — Robots.txt is a request, not enforcement. Malicious bots may ignore it. Sensitive content should be protected by auth, not only robots.txt.
- Expecting noindex — Robots.txt blocks crawling, not indexing. Use noindex meta or header to prevent indexing.
- Wrong path syntax — Use paths like /admin/ not full URLs. Start with /.
- Forgetting to copy — Copy or download the file before closing the tab.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is robots.txt?
A file that tells search engine crawlers which pages they can or cannot access on your site.
Does it block indexing?
It blocks crawling, not indexing. Use noindex meta tag to prevent indexing.
What can I add to robots.txt?
Allow/Disallow rules per user-agent, Sitemap URL, and optionally Crawl-delay (non-standard). The generator helps build these lines.
No. The file is generated in your browser. Your rules and domain are not stored on our servers.
When should I use a robots.txt generator?
Use it to create or update robots.txt, block crawlers from admin or private paths, or add a Sitemap reference.
Why are crawlers still visiting blocked paths?
Robots.txt is a request, not enforcement. Malicious bots may ignore it. Sensitive content should be protected by auth, not only robots.txt.
Robots.txt Generator gives you a valid robots.txt in one place: set rules and Sitemap, generate, copy. No account. For sitemaps use Sitemap Generator, for meta use Meta Tag Checker, and for social preview use Open Graph Preview.
Use the Robots.txt Generator tool to create robots.txt.