What is X-robots-tag?

The X-Robots-Tag is an HTTP header used to control how search engines index and follow content on a website, similar to the meta robots tag used in HTML. However, unlike meta robots tags, which are applied to individual pages, the X-Robots-Tag can be applied to different file types (such as PDFs, images, or other non-HTML files) and even across entire sections of a website. It allows webmasters to instruct search engines to noindex (prevent from being indexed), nofollow (prevent from passing link equity), or archive specific content, among other directives.

The X-Robots-Tag is particularly useful for managing the indexing of content that cannot be controlled through standard HTML tags. Proper use of the X-Robots-Tag helps prevent search engines from indexing duplicate or unnecessary content, which can improve overall site SEO by ensuring that only the most relevant and valuable content is indexed and ranked. Implementing the X-Robots-Tag requires careful consideration and testing to avoid inadvertently blocking important content from search engines.