Definition: Robots.txt is a standard used by websites to communicate with web crawlers and bots that visit the site. It is a text file placed in the root directory of a website to provide instructions about which parts of the site should not be processed or scanned by automated agents.
Purpose: The primary function of a robots.txt file is to manage and control the way search engines index websites. By specifying certain areas of a website that should be excluded from crawling, site owners can prevent sensitive or irrelevant content from being indexed. This helps manage server load, protect private sections of a site, and improve search engine optimization (SEO) by directing crawlers to the most important content.
Implementation: A robots.txt file uses a simple syntax to define rules for web crawlers. It typically includes directives such as "User-agent" (to specify the crawler) and "Disallow" (to block specific paths). While it provides guidance to compliant bots, it does not enforce security, as crawlers can choose to ignore the instructions.
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