{
  "kind": "fact",
  "studySlug": "llmstxt-effect",
  "slug": "median-citations-are-identical-with-and-without-llms-txt",
  "title": "Median citations are identical with and without llms.txt",
  "description": "An analysis of the Trakkr study reveals that the presence of an llms.txt file does not alter the median number of citations a domain receives.",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-03-14",
  "lastTested": "2026-03-14",
  "sourceStudyUrl": "/trakkr-research/llmstxt-effect",
  "sourceStudyTitle": "The llms.txt Effect",
  "claimIds": [
    "llmstxt-effect:median-with",
    "llmstxt-effect:median-without"
  ],
  "relatedSlugs": [
    "answer:how-common-is-llms-txt-on-ai-cited-domains",
    "answer:is-llms-txt-more-common-on-top-domains-than-the-long-tail",
    "tracker:llmstxt-adoption-by-sector-tracker"
  ],
  "methodologySummary": "Built from HTTP scans of 37,894 AI-cited domains, linked to 337,362 citations and 882 citation snapshots in the Trakkr corpus.",
  "limitations": [
    "This is an observational study. It measures correlation with citation outcomes, not a controlled experiment.",
    "Adoption is uneven by sector, so raw averages can hide category concentration in SaaS and developer tooling.",
    "A null citation effect does not mean llms.txt has zero operational value for every workflow. It means the study did not find a measurable citation lift."
  ],
  "keywords": [
    "llms.txt",
    "llms txt effect",
    "AI citations",
    "does llms.txt work"
  ],
  "schemaHints": {
    "pageType": "Article",
    "includeDataset": true
  },
  "claim": "Median citations remain at 3 for domains regardless of whether they implement an llms.txt file.",
  "supportingMetrics": [
    {
      "label": "Median citations with llms.txt",
      "value": "3",
      "detail": "Median citations for domains with llms.txt."
    },
    {
      "label": "Median citations without llms.txt",
      "value": "3",
      "detail": "Median citations for domains without llms.txt."
    }
  ],
  "whyItMatters": "Operators should note that implementing an llms.txt file yields no baseline advantage in median citation frequency. Strategists can deprioritize this implementation if the sole objective is increasing aggregate citation volume.",
  "citationBlock": {
    "quote": "Median citations are 3 with llms.txt and 3 without it in the Trakkr study.",
    "attribution": "The llms.txt Effect - Trakkr Research",
    "url": "https://trakkr.ai/trakkr-research/llmstxt-effect/facts/median-citations-are-identical-with-and-without-llms-txt"
  }
}