X-robots-tag

TL;DR: The X-Robots-Tag is an HTTP header used to instruct search engines on how to handle a webpage, such as whether to index it or follow its links.

What is the X-Robots-Tag?

• Definition:
  The X-Robots-Tag is an HTTP header that lets you control how search engines treat your webpage. It works similarly to the Robots meta tag but is set in the HTTP header rather than the HTML.
• How It Works:
  • You add specific instructions in your page’s HTTP header.
  • These instructions tell search engines whether to index the page, display it in search results, cache it, or follow the links on it.

Key Uses of the X-Robots-Tag

• Indexing Control:
  • Noindex:
    Prevents a page from being included in search engine results.
    Example:
    X-Robots-Tag: noindex
  • Noindex, Nofollow:
    Keeps the page out of search results and stops search engines from following links on the page.
    Example:
    X-Robots-Tag: noindex, nofollow
• Additional Instructions:
  You can also use the tag to control caching and how search engines handle other aspects of the page.

When to Use the X-Robots-Tag

• Page-Level Control:
  It is helpful when you need to apply instructions at the server level, such as on pages that are not easy to modify with meta tags.
• Non-HTML Files:
  The tag is especially useful for files like PDFs or images, where meta tags cannot be embedded.
• Improved Management:
  Using HTTP headers can make it simpler to control a group of pages or files with server rules.

Summary

The X-Robots-Tag is a useful tool for managing how search engines interact with your site. It gives you the ability to tell search engines whether to include your pages in their results, follow the links on them, or cache them. Adding the tag directly to your HTTP headers can be a smart move, particularly when dealing with non-HTML files or when you need consistent control over a set of pages. Khrap.