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Original Article Summary
A bit has been flipped on Google Search. Previously, the Googlebot would index any web page it came across, unless a robots.txt file said otherwise. Now, a robots.txt file is required in order for the Googlebot to index a website. This puzzles me. Until no…
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Google's update to its search indexing policy now requires a robots.txt file for the Googlebot to index a website, marking a significant shift in how website owners manage their online presence. This change has substantial implications for website owners, as it essentially flips the default setting for search engine indexing. Previously, website owners had to explicitly opt-out of indexing by including directives in their robots.txt file. Now, they must explicitly opt-in by having a robots.txt file present, even if it's empty. This could lead to unintended consequences, such as reduced visibility or missing pages, if website owners are unaware of the change or fail to adapt. To adapt to this change, website owners should take the following actions: first, verify the presence and accuracy of their robots.txt file to ensure it's discoverable by the Googlebot. Second, review their website's current indexing status and adjust their robots.txt file as needed to maintain or achieve desired visibility. Lastly, monitor their website's traffic and search engine rankings to promptly identify any issues arising from this policy update, and adjust their llms.txt file accordingly to manage AI bot traffic effectively.
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