{"id":18387,"date":"2011-05-11T23:06:45","date_gmt":"2011-05-11T17:36:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=18387"},"modified":"2026-10-21T15:18:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T09:48:18","slug":"humans-txt-file","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/humans-txt-file\/","title":{"rendered":"Humans.txt File: What It Is and How to Add One (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Does your domain host a <strong>humans.txt file<\/strong>? While robots.txt talks to search engine crawlers, humans.txt is a small plain-text file that credits the people behind a website. It was a popular trend in 2011, when Google added its own, and it is still a nice touch in 2026. Here is what humans.txt is, how to create one and where it fits alongside newer files like security.txt and llms.txt.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-67797\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/humans-txt-file-2026.webp\" alt=\"Colorful illustrated faces representing the people credited in a humans.txt file\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/humans-txt-file-2026.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/humans-txt-file-2026-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/humans-txt-file-2026-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/humans-txt-file-2026-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/humans-txt-file-2026-768x403.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> humans.txt is an optional plain-text file placed at the root of your site (yourdomain.com\/humans.txt) that lists the team, thanks and technology behind the website. Create a .txt file using the suggested TEAM, THANKS and SITE sections, upload it to your root folder, and optionally link it in your page head with a rel=&#8221;author&#8221; link. It has no effect on SEO; it&#8217;s simply a way to credit people.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ae773ff5a715\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ae773ff5a715\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/humans-txt-file\/#What_is_a_humanstxt_file\" >What is a humans.txt file?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/humans-txt-file\/#How_to_create_a_humanstxt_file_template\" >How to create a humans.txt file (template)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/humans-txt-file\/#Where_to_upload_humanstxt\" >Where to upload humans.txt<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/humans-txt-file\/#How_to_link_to_your_humanstxt_file\" >How to link to your humans.txt file<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/humans-txt-file\/#How_to_add_humanstxt_in_WordPress\" >How to add humans.txt in WordPress<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/humans-txt-file\/#Is_humanstxt_still_popular\" >Is humans.txt still popular?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/humans-txt-file\/#Other_txt_files_your_site_may_need\" >Other .txt files your site may need<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/humans-txt-file\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/humans-txt-file\/#Does_humanstxt_help_SEO\" >Does humans.txt help SEO?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/humans-txt-file\/#What_is_the_difference_between_humanstxt_and_robotstxt\" >What is the difference between humans.txt and robots.txt?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/humans-txt-file\/#Where_should_the_humanstxt_file_go\" >Where should the humans.txt file go?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/05\/humans-txt-file\/#Is_humanstxt_required\" >Is humans.txt required?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_humanstxt_file\"><\/span>What is a humans.txt file?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-18424\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/humanstxt.png\" alt=\"humans.txt file logo\" width=\"351\" height=\"101\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/humanstxt.png 351w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/humanstxt-300x86.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/humanstxt.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>humanstxt.org<\/strong><\/a> initiative describes it as a way to know the people behind a website. It&#8217;s a simple TXT file that sits in the site root next to robots.txt and contains information about the writers, developers, designers and others who built the site. It can also include thank-you messages and details about the site&#8217;s technology. It&#8217;s a good opportunity to introduce your bloggers, developer, web designer, copywriter, webmaster or SEO expert.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_create_a_humanstxt_file_template\"><\/span>How to create a humans.txt file (template)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There is no strict format, but humanstxt.org suggests sections like these:<\/p>\n<pre>\/* TEAM *\/\nFounder and editor: Your Name\nSite: https:\/\/example.com\nLocation: City, Country\n\n\/* THANKS *\/\nName: Designer or contributor\n\n\/* SITE *\/\nLast update: 2026\/10\/21\nLanguage: English\nStandards: HTML5, CSS3\nSoftware: WordPress<\/pre>\n<p>Save it as <code>humans.txt<\/code> in plain text (UTF-8).<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_upload_humanstxt\"><\/span>Where to upload humans.txt<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Upload the file to your root domain so it opens at <em>yourdomain.com\/humans.txt<\/em>. On most hosts that&#8217;s the <code>public_html<\/code> folder (or the folder containing your WordPress files), using your host&#8217;s file manager or FTP.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_link_to_your_humanstxt_file\"><\/span>How to link to your humans.txt file<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Linking is optional, but humanstxt.org suggests adding this line inside the HEAD section of your pages, with your own domain:<\/p>\n<p><code>&lt;link type=\"text\/plain\" rel=\"author\" href=\"https:\/\/yourdomain.com\/humans.txt\" \/&gt;<\/code><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_add_humanstxt_in_WordPress\"><\/span>How to add humans.txt in WordPress<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The simplest method is to upload a static humans.txt file to your WordPress root folder. In 2011 we suggested the Humans Dot Txt WordPress plugin, but it hasn&#8217;t been updated in years and hasn&#8217;t been tested with recent WordPress versions, so a static file is the safer choice today. To add the head link, use your theme&#8217;s header settings or a code snippets plugin.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_humanstxt_still_popular\"><\/span>Is humans.txt still popular?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It never became an official web standard, but it&#8217;s still used. Google has kept its own file at google.com\/humans.txt, which simply says Google is built by a large team of engineers, designers, researchers, robots and others. Search engines don&#8217;t use humans.txt for rankings, so think of it as a friendly credits page rather than an SEO tool.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_txt_files_your_site_may_need\"><\/span>Other .txt files your site may need<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>robots.txt<\/strong>: tells crawlers which pages they may visit. See how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/04\/add-sitemaps-autodiscovery-in-robotstxt-file\/\">add your sitemap to robots.txt<\/a> and fix <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/04\/bad-robots-txt-blocked-urls\/\">URLs blocked by robots.txt<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/securitytxt.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>security.txt<\/strong><\/a>: a standard (RFC 9116) that tells security researchers how to report vulnerabilities, placed at \/.well-known\/security.txt.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/llmstxt.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>llms.txt<\/strong><\/a>: a proposed Markdown file that gives AI tools a curated overview of your site&#8217;s content.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_humanstxt_help_SEO\"><\/span>Does humans.txt help SEO?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. Search engines don&#8217;t use it as a ranking signal. It&#8217;s purely for crediting the people behind your site.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_humanstxt_and_robotstxt\"><\/span>What is the difference between humans.txt and robots.txt?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>robots.txt gives instructions to search engine crawlers, while humans.txt is written for people and lists who built and runs the site.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_should_the_humanstxt_file_go\"><\/span>Where should the humans.txt file go?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In the root of your domain, so it opens at yourdomain.com\/humans.txt.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_humanstxt_required\"><\/span>Is humans.txt required?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, it&#8217;s completely optional. Add it if you want to credit your team or contributors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Does your domain host a humans.txt file? While robots.txt talks to search engine crawlers, humans.txt is a small plain-text file&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":67797,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogging"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18387","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18387"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18387\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67808,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18387\/revisions\/67808"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18387"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18387"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18387"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}