Ever wonder how Google knows what information to index from your website? They follow the instructions that you give right on your website, which control how search engines crawl your site. That’s right — using a robots.txt file, you can guide Googlebots seamlessly through your WordPress site. Keep reading to learn more about robots.txt files, robots.txt configuration, and how to edit your robots.txt file in WordPress.
What is a Robots.txt File for Search Engine Crawlers?
Google bots are responsible for finding and crawling your web pages and files. The goal of these web crawlers is to collect information about your content and send it back to Google’s servers to be indexed. However, these bots often need directions to know what exactly to crawl. That’s where robot.txt files come in.
In the simplest sense, a robots.txt file is the instructions your website gives to Google bots. These files are primarily used to ensure your website is not overrun with crawler requests. If too many of these requests come in, your website may start to slow down to process all the Google bots, leading to a decreased user experience.
To maintain the balance, you can create a robots.txt file that will direct Google bots to crawl, or not crawl, certain information. These specific instructions are known as robots.txt directives. Though you cannot use this file to hide an entire page from Google, this also allows you to hide specific content, such as audio files, that you do not want to appear on your page. It will also speed up the time it takes for a Google bot to crawl your website if it knows just what it’s looking for.
Without further ado, let’s get into where your robots.txt file is in WordPress and how to edit that file.
Why You Need a Robots.txt File
A robots.txt file is a crucial component for any website, serving as a communication tool between your site and search engines. This file tells search engines which parts of your site should be crawled and indexed, and which parts should be left alone. By guiding search engine crawlers with specific robots.txt rules, you can ensure that your most important content is indexed, while sensitive or irrelevant information remains hidden.
Having a well-structured robots.txt file can significantly improve your website’s search engine optimization (SEO). It helps search engines understand the structure of your site, making it easier for them to index your content accurately. This can lead to better search engine rankings and increased visibility for your website.
Importance for Search Engines and User Agents
For search engines and user agents, a robots.txt file is like a roadmap. It provides clear instructions on which pages or directories should be crawled and indexed. Understanding the robots.txt syntax is crucial as it defines the structure and format of these instructions. This is particularly important for preventing search engines from accessing sensitive information or pages that are not meant for public viewing.
By using a robots.txt file, you can control the behavior of search engine crawlers and user agents, ensuring they focus on the most relevant parts of your site. This not only helps protect private information but also improves the efficiency of the crawling process, leading to faster indexing and better SEO performance.
Where is the Robots.txt File in the Root Directory of WordPress
So, where is the robots.txt file located? In WordPress, the robots.txt file can be considered a virtual file that is generated dynamically and can be managed through the WordPress dashboard. WordPress will automatically create a robots.txt file for your website. Your default robots.txt file is then stored in one location on your WordPress — the root directory. This is the robots.txt location. You can find this file right through your URL. Simply type in your website (ex. Markitors.com), add /robots.txt at the end, and hit ‘Enter’. We’ve included an example below so you can see what our robots.txt file looks like.
From this location, however, you may notice that there’s no ‘Edit’ option. You’ll need to log onto your WordPress to edit your robots.txt file and set the necessary instructions. Learn how to edit your robots.txt file below.
How to Edit a Robots.txt File in WordPress
Though a default robots.txt file can be a great feature if you don’t have any specific preferences, it may not work for every website. Effective robots.txt management is crucial for ensuring that search engines crawl your site correctly. One of the most convenient ways to edit your robots.txt file is by using a file editor, which is often included in SEO plugins like Rank Math SEO. We’ll break down a couple of ways you can edit a robots.txt file in WordPress so you can set the best instructions for Google bots.
Rank Math SEO
One such way to edit your robots.txt file in WordPress is through an SEO plugin, which allows you to easily modify the txt file. Rank Math SEO is a beneficial plugin that allows you to optimize website content based on best practices. This plugin makes it incredibly easy to edit and change your robots.txt file. We’ve broken down the three primary steps below.
To start, you’ll need to download the plugin. Once you’ve added Rank Math to your WordPress, the plugin will appear at the top of your dashboard.
When you’re ready to edit your robots.txt file in WordPress, click on the Rank Math SEO plugin and make your way to the dashboard. Select ‘General Settings’ from the left sidebar. Once you’ve opened the general settings, you’ll see an option titled ‘Edit robots.txt’. This is where you’ll set any instructions regarding page elements that should not be crawled.
After you’ve entered the right information, you can click ‘Save Changes’. If you want to view your changed robots.txt file, you’ll simply type in your URL and /robots.txt, such as with markitors.com/robots.txt.
Easy enough, right? Rank Math SEO and other similar SEO plugins make it simple to edit your robots.txt and let Google bots know just what they’re looking for.
Robots.txt Editor
Rank Math SEO isn’t the only option you have to edit your robots.txt file on your WordPress website. There are additional plugins that you can use to ensure that Google bots are crawling your website correctly. We’ll cover how to use Robots.txt Editor today.
Much like Rank Math SEO, you’ll need to install the Robots.txt Editor plugin. Once it’s been installed, select ‘Plugins’ on the left sidebar and find this new plugin. You’ll simply need to select ‘Settings’ underneath the name. This plugin will then allow you to make any changes to your robots.txt file right there. The robots.txt settings within the plugin provide various options to customize how search engines interact with your site. Once you’re done, you’ll have the option to preview your file to ensure everything is correct before hitting save.
And viola — two easy ways to edit your robots.txt file right in WordPress! There are plenty of other ways that you can make changes to your files, such as other SEO or editor plugins, but these are a great starting point for keeping your website from being overrun by Google bots.
We understand that maintaining the best technical SEO practices for your website can be challenging. There are many different elements you need to keep in mind as you build and change your website. Luckily, there are skilled technical SEO teams, like the one here at Markitors, that can help you through this process. Contact our team today to learn more about the technical SEO services we offer and how we can assist you with leading Google bots to the right information!
Method 1: Using a Plugin (AIOSEO or Yoast SEO)
Using a plugin like AIOSEO or Yoast SEO is a convenient way to edit your robots.txt file. These plugins provide a user-friendly interface that allows you to easily add or remove rules and directives from your robots.txt file.
To edit your robots.txt file using AIOSEO or Yoast SEO, follow these steps:
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Install and activate the plugin: First, you need to install and activate either the AIOSEO or Yoast SEO plugin on your WordPress website. You can do this by navigating to the ‘Plugins’ section in your WordPress dashboard, searching for the plugin, and clicking ‘Install Now’ followed by ‘Activate’.
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Access the robots.txt editor: Once the plugin is activated, go to the plugin’s settings page. For AIOSEO, navigate to ‘All in One SEO’ > ‘Tools’ > ‘Robots.txt Editor’. For Yoast SEO, go to ‘SEO’ > ‘Tools’ > ‘File Editor’.
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Edit the robots.txt file: Click on the “Edit robots.txt” button to access the editor. Here, you can add or remove rules and directives as needed. For example, you might add Disallow: /private/ to prevent search engines from crawling a private directory.
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Save your changes: After making the necessary changes, click ‘Save Changes’ to update your robots.txt file.
AIO SEO and Yoast SEO both provide a range of features that make it easy to edit your robots.txt file, including:
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A user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of adding or removing rules and directives.
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Pre-built rules and directives to help you get started quickly.
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The ability to import rules and directives from other websites.
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The option to export your robots.txt file for use on other websites.
By using these plugins, you can efficiently manage your robots.txt file and ensure that search engines crawl your site as intended.
Method 2: Using an FTP Client or cPanel
If you prefer to edit your robots.txt file manually, you can use an FTP client or cPanel to access your website’s root directory and edit the file directly.
To edit your robots.txt file using an FTP client or cPanel, follow these steps:
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Connect to your website’s root directory: Use an FTP client like FileZilla or access your hosting account’s cPanel. Navigate to the ‘File Manager’ in cPanel or connect to your site via FTP.
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Locate the robots.txt file: In the root directory of your website, look for the robots.txt file. If it doesn’t exist, you can create a new text file and name it robots.txt.
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Download and edit the file: Download the robots.txt file to your computer and open it in a text editor like Notepad or Sublime Text. Make any necessary changes, such as adding User-agent: * and Disallow: /private/ to prevent all search engines from accessing the private directory.
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Upload the file back to the root directory: Save the changes and upload the file back to your website’s root directory using the FTP client or cPanel.
When editing your robots.txt file manually, be careful to follow the correct syntax and formatting rules. A single mistake can cause problems with your website’s search engine optimization. Always double-check your changes to ensure they are correct.
Understanding Robots.txt Rules
To effectively use a robots.txt file, it’s essential to understand the rules and syntax that govern it. The file consists of directives that tell search engine crawlers what they can and cannot access. Here are some basic rules:
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User-agent: This specifies the search engine crawler to which the rule applies. For example, User-agent: * applies to all crawlers.
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Disallow: This tells the crawler not to access a specific URL or directory. For example, Disallow: /private/ prevents crawlers from accessing the /private/ directory.
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Allow: This is used to override a Disallow directive, allowing access to specific URLs within a disallowed directory. For example, Allow: /public/ within a disallowed directory.
By understanding and correctly applying these rules, you can create a robots.txt file that effectively manages how search engines and user agents interact with your site. Following robots.txt best practices ensures that your file is optimized, preventing indexing issues and improving your site’s SEO.
Common Robots.txt Rules
Here are some common robots.txt rules that you may want to include in your file:
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**User-agent: ***: This rule applies to all user agents (i.e., all search engines).
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Disallow: /wp-admin/: This rule prevents search engines from crawling your website’s admin area.
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Disallow: /wp-includes/: This rule prevents search engines from crawling your website’s includes directory.
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Allow: /: This rule allows search engines to crawl your website’s root directory.
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Sitemap: https://example.com/sitemap.xml: This rule specifies the location of your website’s sitemap.
By including these common rules, you can better control how search engines interact with your site, ensuring that sensitive areas are protected while important content is accessible.
Testing and Validating the Robots.txt File
After creating and uploading your robots.txt file, it’s crucial to perform robots.txt validation to ensure it functions as intended. One of the best tools for this purpose is Google Search Console.
Using Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a free tool that helps you monitor and maintain your website’s presence in Google search results. It includes a feature specifically for testing and validating your robots.txt file. Here’s how to use it:
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Log in to your Google Search Console account.
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Navigate to the “Crawl” section.
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Select the “Robots.txt Tester” tool.
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Enter the URL of your robots.txt file.
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Click the “Test” button.
Google Search Console will analyze your robots.txt file and provide feedback on any errors or issues it detects. This feedback is invaluable for ensuring that your file is correctly configured and that search engines and user agents are properly crawling and indexing your website.
By following these steps, you can confidently manage your robots.txt file, ensuring it serves its purpose effectively and enhances your website’s SEO performance.
Best Practices for Robots.txt
Here are some best practices to keep in mind when editing your robots.txt file:
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Use the User-agent: * rule: Apply rules to all search engines to ensure consistent behavior across different crawlers.
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Use the Disallow: rule: Prevent search engines from crawling sensitive areas of your website, such as admin pages or private directories.
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Use the Allow: rule: Allow search engines to crawl specific areas of your website that you want to be indexed.
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Use the Sitemap: rule: Specify the location of your website’s sitemap to help search engines find and index your content more efficiently.
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Test your robots.txt file regularly: Use tools like Google Search Console to test and validate your robots.txt file, ensuring it is working correctly and effectively managing search engine access.
By following these best practices, you can create a well-structured robots.txt file that enhances your website’s SEO performance and protects sensitive information.
Conclusion
Editing your robots.txt file is an important part of search engine optimization. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily edit your robots.txt file using a plugin like AIOSEO or Yoast SEO, or by using an FTP client or cPanel. Remember to follow best practices and test your robots.txt file regularly to ensure that it is working correctly.
A well-managed robots.txt file can significantly improve your website’s SEO performance by guiding search engines to the most important content and protecting sensitive information. Take the time to set up and maintain your robots.txt file, and you’ll see the benefits in your search engine rankings and overall site performance.
