What is a robots.txt file?

A plain text file placed in a domain's root folder that instructs search engines which paths they can or cannot crawl.

Where should robots.txt be located?

Must be located in the domain root directory, accessible via `https://yourdomain.com/robots.txt`.

Does robots.txt guarantee my pages will not appear in Google?

No. To guarantee a page is excluded from search results, use a ` ` header tag.

How do I block AI crawlers like ChatGPT?

Add `User-agent: GPTBot` and `Disallow: /` to your robots.txt file.

What is the Sitemap directive in robots.txt?

An explicit URL reference telling crawlers where to find your XML sitemap (e.g. `Sitemap: https://site.com/sitemap.xml`).

Are robots.txt directives case-sensitive?

Yes, URL path patterns in Disallow rules are case-sensitive.

What is Crawl-delay in robots.txt?

A directive asking crawlers to wait a specified number of seconds between consecutive page requests.

What happens if I have no robots.txt file?

Search engines assume unrestricted access and crawl all discoverable public pages.

Is robots.txt free to generate on ScanSuite?

Yes, ScanSuite provides unlimited free robots.txt generation without registration.

What is the wildcard character (*) in robots.txt?

Represents any sequence of characters in path matching patterns.

How do I block an entire folder in robots.txt?

Use `Disallow: /foldername/` with trailing slash.

What is the difference between Allow and Disallow?

Disallow forbids crawling a path; Allow explicitly permits crawling a subpath within a disallowed folder.

Can I use comments in robots.txt?

Yes, lines starting with `#` are treated as comments and ignored by crawlers.

How do I test my robots.txt file?

Use Google Search Console's Robots Testing Tool or test URL paths in your browser.

Does robots.txt affect SEO rankings?

Correctly managing crawl budget helps search engines focus on your high-value content.

Can I download the generated file directly?

Yes, click the Download button to save a clean `robots.txt` file.

Should I block CSS and JS files in robots.txt?

No! Search engines need CSS and JavaScript to render pages correctly for mobile indexing.

Does Googlebot respect Crawl-delay?

Googlebot ignores Crawl-delay; configure crawl rate inside Google Search Console settings instead.

Free Robots.txt Generator & Validator Tool

A robots.txt generator is an online SEO and web administration tool that builds a standardized `robots.txt` text file — formatted according to the Robots Exclusion Protocol — to instruct automated web crawlers and AI bots which sections of a website they are permitted or forbidden to index.

Configure User-Agent directives, toggle access settings for popular search crawlers and AI bots (Googlebot, Bingbot, GPTBot, ClaudeBot), enter Disallow/Allow URL paths, specify your sitemap location, and click Generate to copy or download your valid `robots.txt` file.

The Robots Exclusion Protocol (REP) is a web standard used by website owners to manage how automated search engine crawlers, indexing bots, and AI web scrapers interact with site resources. Properly configured robots.txt files protect staging environments, admin panels, and duplicate content while directing crawlers to your XML sitemap for efficient indexing.

ScanSuite's free online robots.txt generator creates clean, syntax-validated `robots.txt` files directly in your browser. Easily configure access rules for major search engines like Google and Bing, block aggressive AI scrapers (such as GPTBot and ClaudeBot), define path exclusions, and declare XML sitemaps without syntax errors.

ScanSuite's free robots.txt generator creates valid Robots Exclusion Protocol files to manage search engine crawlers and block AI scrapers like GPTBot. Generate and download custom rules instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a robots.txt file?: A plain text file placed in a domain's root folder that instructs search engines which paths they can or cannot crawl.
Where should robots.txt be located?: Must be located in the domain root directory, accessible via `https://yourdomain.com/robots.txt`.
Does robots.txt guarantee my pages will not appear in Google?: No. To guarantee a page is excluded from search results, use a `<meta name="robots" content="noindex">` header tag.
How do I block AI crawlers like ChatGPT?: Add `User-agent: GPTBot` and `Disallow: /` to your robots.txt file.
What is the Sitemap directive in robots.txt?: An explicit URL reference telling crawlers where to find your XML sitemap (e.g. `Sitemap: https://site.com/sitemap.xml`).
Are robots.txt directives case-sensitive?: Yes, URL path patterns in Disallow rules are case-sensitive.