Robots.txt validator
My Robots.txt Validator is a free SEO tool that helps website owners check their Robots.txt file. This file is important for SEO because it tells search engines which parts of the Web site they may search (and which they may not).
Note: Only enter your domain name. Not the URL where the Robots.txt is located.
What is a Robots.txt file?
A robots.txt file is a text file located in the root directory of a website (it is located at ralfvanveen.com/robots.txt). It contains rules that give search engines instructions on which parts of the site to search and index.
What does a Robots.txt validator check for?
Syntax errors: Checks for typos and incorrect formatting.
Rule consistency: Looks at whether rules do not conflict with each other.
Block and allow rules: Checks whether rules block or allow correctly.
Unknown user-agents: Searches for user-agents that are not recognized.
Redundant rules: Identifies rules that are redundant.
Use of wildcards: Controls the correct use of wildcards (*).
Sitemap location: Verifies that the sitemap location is correctly specified.
Access to important sections: Verifies whether important sections of the site are accessible.
Duplicate lines: Searches for duplicate or repeated lines.
Format and structure of the file: Verifies that the file is properly structured.
Why use a Robots.txt Validator?
- Identify errors: Identify errors in your robots.txt file that can hinder search engines.
- Improve Crawling: Make sure search engines navigate your site efficiently.
- Monitor privacy: Prevent sensitive parts of your site from being accidentally indexed.
- Regular monitoring: Keep your robots.txt file up-to-date and free of problems.
How does the Robots.txt Validator work?
- Upload or URL entry: Add your robots.txt file or enter your site’s URL.
- Automatic analysis: The tool checks the file for errors and problems.
- Solutions: Get concrete tips to solve the problems found.
Key features
- User-friendly: Easy to use, even for beginners.
- Fast: Quick analysis and immediate results.
- Free: Completely free with no hidden fees.
Note, however, that I would always do a thorough Robots.txt check manually given its importance. This is just a handy SEO tool to get a quick first impression of how the Robots.txt works.