In a recent revelation, Google's Gary Illyes has challenged the conventional wisdom surrounding robots.txt placement. For years, it was believed that this file must reside at the root domain (e.g., example.com/robots.txt). However, Illyes clarifies that this isn’t a strict requirement under the Robots Exclusion Protocol (REP).
Robots.txt File Flexibility
Illyes explains that having two separate robots.txt files hosted on different domains is permissible—one on the primary website and another on a content delivery network (CDN). This unorthodox approach complies with updated standards and provides several benefits:
- Centralized Management: Consolidating robots.txt rules on a CDN allows for easier management and updates across your web properties.
- Improved Consistency: With a single source of truth for robots.txt rules, conflicting directives between your main site and CDN are minimized.
- Flexibility: This method is particularly beneficial for websites with complex architectures or those utilizing multiple subdomains and CDNs.
The Evolution of Robots.txt
As the Robots Exclusion Protocol marks its 30th anniversary, Illyes' insights underscore how web standards continue to evolve. He even suggests that future iterations may reconsider the file’s traditional name and structure.
Implementing Centralized Robots.txt
To implement this strategy, ensure your CDN hosts a comprehensive robots.txt file. Redirect requests from your main domain to this centralized file, adhering to RFC9309 guidelines for crawler compliance.
Conclusion
Adopting Google's approach to robots.txt can streamline site management and enhance SEO efforts. By embracing flexibility in robots.txt placement, websites can navigate modern complexities while optimizing their online presence.
Soruce by : Swapnil Kankute
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