Provide useful information to crawlers: Use the robots.txt file to communicate vital information to crawlers, such as the location of your XML sitemap, the maximum number of requests per second, and the time interval between consecutive requests. This information helps optimize crawling efficiency and prevent server overload.
Make sure to only use the directive Allow for crawlers that recognize it, such as Googlebot, Bingbot, and Slurp. For all other crawlers, it is recommended to use the directive exclusively Disallow.
Clarity in directives: When specifying directives in the robots.txt file, it is important to be precise. Avoid using wildcards ( *) or escapes ( \) unless absolutely necessary. For example, to exclude a specific folder, use the syntax . Remember to always use relative paths to the root of the site, avoiding absolute paths that include the domain.
Directive Priority Order: Crawlers interpret directives in the order they encounter them and apply the dental email list first relevant rule to the URL in question. If you want to exclude a folder but include a specific page within it, it is essential to place the directive Allow before Disallow. This way, you ensure that the desired page is accessible to crawlers despite the exclusion of the folder it is located in.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Robots.txt File
The Robots.txt file is an essential tool for managing your website and optimizing it for SEO. It acts as a guide for search engines, indicating which parts of your site should be indexed and which should not. This control can have a significant impact on the online visibility of a site.
Below is a table listing the main advantages and disadvantages of using the Robots.txt file:
Advantages Disadvantages
Indexing Control : Allows you to specify which pages or sections of the site should be excluded from indexing, thus avoiding irrelevant or private content appearing in search results. Human error : An incorrect setting can lead to important pages being excluded from indexing, damaging the visibility of the site.