Benefits of using robots txt properly
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2025 5:40 am
In this example, all search engines are instructed not to access the /admin/and directories /login/, but are allowed to access the directory /public/. Additionally, the sitemap is specified to facilitate indexing.
Let's now look at some advantages it can bring.
Reducing server load
By blocking URLs that perform actions, such as “add to cart” or “add to wishlist,” you reduce the number of requests made to your server. Google analyst Gary Illyes supports this practice , noting that action URLs are useless to search engines and only consume server resources without providing any value for indexing.
website creation or optimization
Improved tracking efficiency
Telling search engines which pages to crawl and which not to crawl ensures that they focus on the content that really matters to your site’s ranking. This results in more efficient indexing bank data and better performance in search results.
Protection of sensitive information
Using robots.txt to block access to sensitive areas of your website, such as login pages and administrative directories, helps protect sensitive information from being accessed by search bots and potentially competitors.
Limitations of robots.txt
While robots.txt is a powerful tool, it does have its limitations that should be considered.
Directives are not mandatory : Not all search bots follow the instructions in the robots.txt file. While Google and other major search engines respect these rules, some bots may ignore them.
Variable interpretation : Different search engines may interpret robots.txt rules differently. This can lead to inconsistencies in the application of the directives.
Does not guarantee complete confidentiality : Even if a URL is blocked by robots.txt, it can still be accessed if other websites reference it. Therefore, to completely protect sensitive information, it is necessary to use other measures, such as password authentication.
Let's now look at some advantages it can bring.
Reducing server load
By blocking URLs that perform actions, such as “add to cart” or “add to wishlist,” you reduce the number of requests made to your server. Google analyst Gary Illyes supports this practice , noting that action URLs are useless to search engines and only consume server resources without providing any value for indexing.
website creation or optimization
Improved tracking efficiency
Telling search engines which pages to crawl and which not to crawl ensures that they focus on the content that really matters to your site’s ranking. This results in more efficient indexing bank data and better performance in search results.
Protection of sensitive information
Using robots.txt to block access to sensitive areas of your website, such as login pages and administrative directories, helps protect sensitive information from being accessed by search bots and potentially competitors.
Limitations of robots.txt
While robots.txt is a powerful tool, it does have its limitations that should be considered.
Directives are not mandatory : Not all search bots follow the instructions in the robots.txt file. While Google and other major search engines respect these rules, some bots may ignore them.
Variable interpretation : Different search engines may interpret robots.txt rules differently. This can lead to inconsistencies in the application of the directives.
Does not guarantee complete confidentiality : Even if a URL is blocked by robots.txt, it can still be accessed if other websites reference it. Therefore, to completely protect sensitive information, it is necessary to use other measures, such as password authentication.