Gary Illyes of Google introduces an unconventional yet valid strategy for consolidating robots.txt directives via CDNs.
Robots.txt files aren’t limited to root domains but can be centralized on CDNs. Websites can redirect robots.txt from their main domain to a CDN. This unconventional method aligns with updated standards. In a recent LinkedIn post, Google’s Gary Illyes questioned a longstanding belief about where robots.txt files should reside.
Traditionally, it’s been widely accepted that a website’s robots.txt file should be located at the root domain (e.g., example.com/robots.txt).
However, Illyes clarified that this is not a strict requirement and shed light on a lesser-known aspect of the Robots Exclusion Protocol (REP).
Flexibility in Robots.txt File Placement
The traditional placement of the robots.txt file at the root domain isn’t mandatory (example.com/robots.txt).
According to Gary Illyes, having two separate robots.txt files hosted on different domains is permissible—one on the main website and another on a content delivery network (CDN).
Illyes explains that websites can centralize their robots.txt file on the CDN while managing crawling directives for their primary site.
Reflecting on 30 Years of Robots.txt
As the Robots Exclusion Protocol marks its 30th anniversary this year, Illyes’ insights underscore the ongoing evolution of web standards.
He questions the necessity of the traditional “robots.txt” filename and suggests potential shifts in how crawler directives might be handled.
How This Can Benefit You
Implementing Illyes’ recommendations offers several advantages:
Centralized Management: Consolidating robots.txt rules in a single location facilitates more manageable maintenance and updates across your web presence.
Improved Consistency: Having a unified source for robots.txt rules minimizes the potential for conflicting directives between your main website and CDN.
Flexibility: This approach provides greater adaptability for configuring robots.txt files, which is particularly beneficial for sites with intricate architectures or that utilize multiple subdomains and CDNs.
Adopting a streamlined approach to managing robots.txt enhances site management efficiency and SEO effectiveness.
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