What is robots.txt and What is Robot's Meta Tag?

Started by stellarhomes, Sep 28, 2022, 04:24 AM

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stellarhomesTopic starter

Sep 28, 2022, 04:24 AM
Could you explain what robots.txt is and elaborate on the Robot's Meta Tag?
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sbglobal

#1
Sep 28, 2022, 04:34 AM
The <meta name="robots"> meta tag is used in the <head> section of web pages and serves the same purpose as the robots.txt file. It allows for managing the indexing of content and links through corresponding attribute values, such as follow/nofollow and index/noindex. However, this method only operates within the page unlike the file, which can prohibit indexing of entire directories.

While using the "content=follow, index" or "content=all" values are unnecessary when indexing permission is set by default, it can be useful for pages located in directories with a complete ban on indexing via robots.txt. Meanwhile, "content=nofollow, index" is suitable for pages with lots of links or managing PR more clearly. "Content=follow, noindex" is best for announcements, pagination pages, and previews, while "content = nofollow, noindex" or "content = none" should be used to place confidential information that should not be indexed.

It's important to note that search engines will prioritize the stricter command when identifying conflicting commands. However, search engine robots may still index pages even if the meta tag prohibits them from doing so.
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Hanna-banana23

#2
Oct 30, 2022, 07:03 AM
After a website goes live, browser search robots check it for indexing and to determine its search ranking. These robots access the file robots.txt which can be checked by adding /robots.txt at the end of the site's address. If this file is unavailable, there is a risk that robots will index the wrong information and determine the site's ranking incorrectly, so it's crucial to add this file. The robots.txt file should be placed in the root folder of the site to properly function.

In addition to robots.txt, the <meta name="robots" content=""> tag can also help with indexing. This tag is placed in the <head> section during page layout and has various values that allow or prohibit robots from indexing the page's content. The tag looks like this: <meta name="robots" content="">. Properly utilizing both of these tools can improve the website's search ranking and ensure accurate indexing.
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Seattle

#3
Nov 28, 2022, 04:46 AM
The robots meta tag enables more precise indexing adjustments, allowing for the content to be closed while links remain open or vice versa through the 'noindex, follow' parameter. This feature is not available in robots.txt, which can be problematic when not having access to the root directory makes editing it impossible. In such cases, using the robots meta tag is a useful alternative. While robots.txt can close an entire directory from indexing, for specific pages, the meta tag must be used instead.

It's acceptable to use both the robots meta tag and robots.txt to manage webpage indexing, but conflicting directives about the same page can cause issues. The robots may prioritize the stricter instruction by default, leading to certain pages not being indexed if there are disagreements between the two tools.

Overall, having the ability to manage website indexing is a vital tool for SEO promotion. Knowing when to use each method effectively is essential for optimal results.
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lipikatech

#4
Nov 30, 2022, 08:40 AM
Robots. txt files are best for disallowing a whole section of a site, such as a category whereas a meta tag is more efficient at disallowing single files and pages. You could choose to use both a meta robots tag and a robots.
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Socialmarketing

#5
Jul 19, 2023, 04:47 AM
The robots.txt file is a text file that website owners create to instruct web robots (also known as web crawlers or spiders) on how to interact with their website. It is located in the root directory of a website and tells search engine crawlers which pages or files they are allowed or not allowed to crawl.

The robots.txt file is important because it helps control the behavior of search engine spiders, preventing them from accessing certain parts of a website that should not be indexed or displayed in search results. For example, a website owner might want to block search engines from crawling their admin panel or temporary development files.

On the other hand, the Robots Meta Tag is an HTML tag that can be added to individual web pages to provide specific instructions to web crawlers. This tag is placed within the head section of an HTML document.

The Robots Meta Tag is useful when you want to give page-specific instructions that may override what is specified in the robots.txt file. Some common instructions include telling search engines to index a page, not to index it, follow links on the page, or not to follow them. It allows website owners to have more granular control over how search engines process individual web pages.
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