When optimizing your website for search engines, the robots.txt file plays a crucial role in guiding web crawlers on which parts of your site they should or shouldn’t access. If you’ve ever wondered about the differences between Disallow: /something/ and Disallow: /something/*, this blog will clarify how these rules function and when to use each.
What Is robots.txt?
The robots.txt file is a simple text file located at the root of your website. It provides instructions to search engine crawlers, also known as user-agents, about which parts of your site they can crawl and index. By configuring this file, you can control the visibility of specific URLs in search engine results.
Syntax Basics in robots.txt
A robots.txt file consists of directives. The two most commonly used are:
User-agent: Specifies the crawler (e.g., Googlebot, Bingbot) to which the directive applies.
Disallow: Specifies the URL path that the crawler should avoid.
Understanding Disallow: /something/
How It Works
When you use the rule Disallow: /something/, it tells web crawlers not to access any URL that begins with /something/.
Examples
Blocked URLs:
/something/
/something/page
/something/folder/file.html
Allowed URLs:
/something-else/
/other/
This rule is straightforward and effective for blocking entire directories and their contents.
Understanding Disallow: /something/*
How It Works
The rule Disallow: /something/* introduces a wildcard (*) to block URLs that match specific patterns. However, it’s important to note that wildcards are not part of the official robots.txt standard but are supported by major search engines like Google.
Examples (If Supported by the Crawler):
Blocked URLs:
/something/
/something/page
/something-folder/page
Allowed URLs:
/something-else/ (if the crawler interprets the wildcard as requiring /something/ as the prefix)
The wildcard expands the flexibility of Disallow, allowing you to block URLs with varying patterns more efficiently.
Key Differences Between the Two Rules
Feature
Disallow: /something/
Disallow: /something/*
Standard Compliance
Officially supported
Supported by some crawlers (e.g., Google)
URL Blocking Scope
Blocks everything starting with /something/
Blocks /something/ and more complex patterns
Flexibility
Limited
More advanced pattern matching
When to Use Each Rule
Use Disallow: /something/ If:
You want to block an entire directory and all its contents.
You need compatibility with all crawlers, including those that do not support wildcards.
Use Disallow: /something/* If:
You need to block URLs with specific patterns that go beyond simple directories.
You’re targeting modern search engines like Google that support wildcard syntax.
Best Practices for robots.txt
Be Specific: Avoid overly broad rules that may unintentionally block important pages.
Test Your Rules: Use tools like Google’s Robots Testing Tool to verify your directives.
Keep It Simple: Stick to standard syntax unless you have a specific need for wildcards.
Monitor Your Site: Regularly check search engine coverage to ensure your robots.txt rules are working as intended.
Conclusion
The choice between Disallow: /something/ and Disallow: /something/* depends on your needs and the level of control you require over crawler behavior. While Disallow: /something/ is universally supported and suitable for blocking directories, Disallow: /something/* offers more advanced options for pattern matching if supported by your target search engines. Understanding these nuances can help you optimize your site’s visibility and ensure only the desired content is accessible to search engines.
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