Starting a blog is an exciting journey, but to make it successful, you also have to take care of its technical side. One important thing that many newbies forget is setting up a custom Robots.txt for Blogger. This small file plays a big role in how search engines view your website. It helps Google and other search engines know which pages to crawl and which to skip. If you set it up correctly, your blog can perform better in search results and get more organic traffic. Let’s understand what Robots.txt is, why it’s important, and how you can easily optimize it.
What is Robots.txt?
Robots.txt is a simple text file that tells search engines what they can and cannot visit on your website. It’s like giving instructions to web crawlers (bots) visiting your site. When someone searches for something on Google, bots read this file before checking your pages. If you block a page using Robots.txt, it means that search engines will not show that page in the results. This is useful for keeping private pages or duplicate content away from search engines.
For example, if you have an admin page, draft posts, or test pages, you can hide them from Google using the appropriate Robots.txt settings.
Why you need a custom Robots.txt
By default, Blogger already provides a basic Robots.txt file for every blog. But it is not optimized for all situations. When you use a custom file, you can take full control over which pages should be indexed and which should not. This helps in better SEO, faster indexing, and improved visibility on Google.
If your blog has many posts, pages, labels, and archive pages, customizing Robots.txt helps reduce the number of duplicate links that appear in Google Search. It also prevents unnecessary crawling of old archive pages, thereby saving your crawl budget.
How to Add a Custom Robots.txt in Blogger
Adding a custom Robots.txt file to your Blogger site is very easy. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to your Blogger dashboard.
- Click on “Settings”.
- Scroll down to “Crawlers and Indexing”.
- Turn on “Enable custom robots.txt”.
- Now click on “Custom robots.txt” and paste your code.
- Save the changes.
That’s it! You have successfully added your Robots.txt file.
Example of a good custom Robots.txt
Here is a simple example that works for most blogger sites:
- User-agent: *
- Disallow: /search
- Allow: /
- Sitemap: https://yourblogname.blogspot.com/sitemap.xml
This tells search engines not to crawl search pages (which can cause duplicate content issues) but allows all other pages. The sitemap line helps Google easily find all your important posts and pages.
Tips for optimizing Robots.txt for better SEO
- Block unnecessary pages – Prevent labels and search pages from being crawled to avoid duplicate content.
- Allow important pages – Always keep your main pages like the homepage, posts, and about page open for crawling.
- Add a sitemap – Include your sitemap link so search engines can easily find your posts.
- Don’t block CSS or JS files – Blocking them can affect the layout of your site on Google.
- Test your file – Always test your Robots.txt file using Google Search Console before saving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t accidentally block your entire site using Disallow: /.
- Don’t add too many rules that will confuse bots.
- Don’t forget to include your sitemap.
- Don’t copy someone else’s Robots.txt without understanding it.
A small mistake can prevent your blog from showing up in Google Search. So, take your time to check it properly before publishing.
How Robots.txt Helps Bloggers
An optimized Robots.txt file helps Google crawl your site faster and more efficiently. It can also improve rankings by reducing low-quality or duplicate pages in search results. Many professional bloggers use a custom version to make their site load faster and rank higher.
If you are building a personal or portfolio site, your blog can be made more stylish and professional by using the best portfolio blogger templates. A good template not only gives your site a beautiful design but also improves user experience and page speed. With the right template and a well-optimized Robots.txt file, your blog can easily attract more visitors and keep them engaged for longer.
How to Check if Your Robots.txt is Working
Once you have added your Robots.txt, you can check if it is working properly. Type this in your browser:
- https://yourblogname.blogspot.com/robots.txt
If it opens and shows your code, it means your file is active. You can also test it in Google Search Console’s “robots.txt Tester” tool. It will tell you if there are any issues or blocked URLs.
Should you update Robots.txt regularly?
You don’t need to change it often. Once you have it set up properly, it will work fine. But if you add new sections or remove pages, you should update it. Always remember, Robots.txt is not a way to hide confidential information; it simply guides search engines.
Final Thoughts
Having an optimized Robots.txt file is one of the easiest and most effective ways to boost your blog’s SEO. It doesn’t take much time, but it can make a big difference in how search engines see your website. When used correctly, it helps Google crawl your blog efficiently and rank your best content faster.
So, take a few minutes to set up your own custom file and test it carefully. Pair it with a good design like the best portfolio blogger template to give your readers a smooth experience. And if you ever need to convert files while managing your blog content, remember that STConvert is a free online conversion tool that can make your job a lot easier.
With these small steps, your Blogger site will look more professional, load faster, and perform better on Google – helping you grow your audience and build your online presence with confidence.
FAQs
Q1. What is the best Robots.txt setting for Blogger in 2025?
The best Robots.txt setup for Blogger in 2025 is one that blocks search pages and allows your main pages to be crawled. This keeps your site clean in Google search and helps you avoid duplicate content. Always include your sitemap link so that Google can easily find all your posts and pages.
Q2. Does Robots.txt affect Google rankings?
Yes, it does! A properly optimized Robots.txt file helps Google crawl your blog faster and focus on your important pages. When bots skip useless pages, your main content gets more visibility. This can slightly improve your SEO rankings over time.
Q3. How do I test my Robots.txt file in Blogger?
You can easily test it by visiting your blog link followed by /robots.txt. For example:
- https://yourblogname.blogspot.com/robots.txt.
If it opens and shows your code, it’s working properly. You can also test it in Google Search Console’s Robots.txt tester tool to make sure nothing important is blocked.
Q4. What’s trending in Blogger SEO right now for 2025?
In 2025, Blogger SEO trends focus on mobile speed, structured data, and AI-powered search visibility. Using fast-loading templates like the best portfolio Blogger templates, along with an optimized Robots.txt file, and adding SEO meta tags can increase your blog’s reach on Google Discover and mobile search.
