Robots.txt File benefits
Here we’ll learn about How to use robots txt in WordPress?
Robots are crawler of search engines. A crawler is a program used by search engines to collect data from the internet. When a crawler visits a website, it picks over the entire website content or as allowed to and stores it in its data storage servers.
When we submit site to search engines, like google, bing etc., their search engine bots when reaches to site they will follow all page links and crawl and index them, and then afterward website and its post, pages were shown in search engine results.
For WordPress site, robots.txt file has an important role for search engine bots, it helps how website pages will be crawled/searched as decided by robots.txt
As its name signifies robots.txt is a text file that would be in the website root directory. Search engine bots follow your website and crawl all pages that use robots.txt instructions as defined.
Crawling permissions will be defined in this file. User-agent is used for the type of search engine crawler.
A blog or website has not the only post as data, besides has pages, categories, tags, comments, etc. But all these things were not useful for the search engine. Generally, a blog has traffic came from search engine and has main Url (https://www.jaseir.com) with posts, pages, and images besides having archive, pagination, wp-admin like search engine is not important, here robots.txt, search engine bots gives instruction to access unnecessary pages to not crawl instructions.
Here if URL crawl permission is not granted by robots.txt then due to this reason URL is blocked for search engine.
Means which website with which web pages, Google or Bing will show or which not robots.txt file decides, to remove from search engine remove by blogger its the reason they fear creating this.
If you have not created robots.txt file in the blog and to update, some basic rules need to understand for our blog we need perfect SEO optimized robots.txt file.
How to create WordPress Robots.txt
For answer WordPress blog default robots.txt file is used for our blog better performance and for SEO we need to customize robots.txt as per our opinion.
WordPress default robots.txt
User-agent: *
Disallow: /wp-admin/
Allow: /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php
Sitemap: [SITE URL]/sitemap.xml
Like as above robots.txt has code/syntax but most blogger use syntax without much understanding in the blog, it should need proper understanding before we use it with syntax:
User-Agent: it is used for kind of Search Engines Crawlers/Bots we use to give instruction like goooglebot, bingbot
User-agent: * is used for search engine bots (Ex: googlebot, bingbot etc.) that crawls a website
User-agent: googlebot
here only Google bot has permission to crawl page
Allow: This tag permit to search engine bots for web pages and folder to crawl
Disallow: This syntax not allow bots to crawl and index, thus can’t access by any bot
If you want that your site pages and directory to index then this below syntax is used by Blogger in robots.txt file
User-agent: *
Disallow:
But below code will block all pages and directory to index
User-agent: *
Disallow: /
if you use Adsense then this code below need to use. This is for AdSense robots that manage the ads
User-agent: Mediapartners-Google*
Allow: /
Example: If like below code in robots.txt file then what it signifies, lets see that:
User-agent: *
Allow: /wp-content/uploads/
Disallow: /wp-content/plugins/
Disallow: /wp- admin/
Disallow: /archives/
Disallow: /refer/
Sitemap: https://jaseir.com/sitemap.xml
Whatever files you use in WordPress for images to upload they were saved inside /wp-content/uploads/ directory and disallow not permits images and files to index WordPress plugin files,
Disallow also disallow search bots to index WordPress admin area, category page, and affiliate links to crawl
On adding a sitemap to Robots.txt file, search engine bots can easily crawl site pages easily
We can create in our website different kind of robots.txt file as per our need and its not compulsory that what I am using here in robots.txt code you will also use the same code
User-agent: *
Disallow: /cgi-bin/
Disallow: /wp-admin/
Disallow: /archives/
Disallow: /*?*
Disallow: /comments/feed/
Disallow: /refer/
Disallow: /index.php
Disallow: /wp-content/plugins/
User-agent: Mediapartners-Google*
Allow: /
User-agent: Googlebot-Image
Allow: /wp-content/uploads/
User-agent: Adsbot-Google
Allow: /
User-agent: Googlebot-Mobile
Allow: /
Sitemap: https://www.jaseir.com/sitemap.xml
Note: Here inside Sitemap you need to use your site links
Disallow is used not to crawl pages
You can update robots.txt code with the help of Yoast SEO plugin or manually update the root directory of your WordPress site directory.
Yoast SEO > Tools > File Editor
Here are some points how to use robots text in wordpress
Preventing Duplicate Content:Duplicate content can harm your website’s search engine rankings. Robots.txt plays a pivotal role in mitigating this risk by instructing search engine bots on which pages to avoid indexing. By strategically using the disallow directive for duplicate or non-essential content, you ensure that search engines prioritize the original and valuable pages, contributing to a healthier SEO profile.
Handling Dynamic URLs and Parameters :WordPress often generates dynamic URLs with various parameters, potentially leading to indexing challenges. Robots.txt can be harnessed to address this issue. By specifying directives for specific URL patterns or parameters, you guide search engine bots to focus on the essential aspects of your site. This fine-tuned control helps in streamlining indexing and ensures that only the most relevant content gets crawled and indexed.
Regularly Updating and Monitoring Robots.txt :As your WordPress site evolves, so should your robots.txt file. Regularly review and update this file to align with any changes in your site structure or content. Additionally, monitor your site’s performance through tools like Google Search Console to identify any crawling issues. This proactive approach ensures that your robots.txt remains effective in guiding search engine bots, maintaining optimal visibility for your content.
Common Mistakes to Avoid :
While optimizing with robots.txt, it’s essential to be aware of common pitfalls. Avoid using robots.txt to hide sensitive information, as it doesn’t guarantee privacy. Additionally, ensure that crucial pages aren’t accidentally blocked, impacting your site’s visibility. Regularly check your robots.txt syntax for errors to prevent unintended consequences. By steering clear of these pitfalls, you maximize the benefits of robots.txt for your WordPress website without compromising on functionality or SEO.
Maximizing WordPress Efficiency with Robots.txtIn the ever-evolving digital landscape, optimizing your WordPress website is crucial for enhanced performance and user experience. One key element in this optimization journey is the proper utilization of the robots.txt file. This file acts as a communication bridge between your site and search engines, guiding web crawlers on which pages to index and which to ignore. Let’s delve into the intricacies of harnessing robots.txt effectively to elevate your WordPress game.
Understanding Robots.txt :Robots.txt is a plain text file residing in your website’s root directory, serving as a set of instructions for search engine bots. It provides directives that guide these bots on how to interact with your site’s content. By leveraging robots.txt, you have the power to control which areas of your WordPress site are accessible to search engines, influencing the indexing process.
Crafting a Robots.txt File :Creating a robots.txt file is a straightforward process. You can use a text editor to generate this file and place it in your site’s root directory. The syntax involves specifying user-agents (bots) and defining their access permissions to various parts of your website. For instance, disallowing certain bots from crawling specific directories can prevent sensitive information from being indexed.
Utilizing Disallow and Allow Directives :The disallow and allow directives are the building blocks of a robots.txt file. By strategically using these directives, you can control bot access with precision. For instance, if there are sections of your website that you prefer not to be indexed, employing the disallow directive for those specific paths will keep them off the radar of search engines. Conversely, using allow ensures that certain content is indexed.
Optimizing SEO with Robots.txt:A well-crafted robots.txt file can significantly impact your site’s SEO. By intelligently directing search engine bots, you ensure that they prioritize crawling and indexing the most relevant and valuable content on your WordPress site. This can enhance the visibility of your pages in search engine results, driving organic traffic and boosting your overall SEO efforts.
