X-Robots-Tag Header Generator
An X-Robots-Tag header generator writes the server code that sends indexing rules with any file, including PDFs and images that can't hold a meta tag. Choose rules such as noindex or nofollow, choose the files they apply to, and this free tool writes the code for Apache or NGINX, using the same patterns Google shows in its documentation.
What is a x-robots-tag header generator and when should you use it?
Some files, such as PDFs, images and spreadsheets, have no HTML head for a robots meta tag. The X-Robots-Tag header carries the same rules in the server's response instead. It is set in the server configuration, so it can cover whole groups of files at once. For HTML pages, the Robots Meta Tag Generator is usually simpler, and server redirects are covered by the .htaccess Redirect Generator.
How do you use it?
- Choose the rules.
- Choose the file types or a single file.
- Pick Apache or NGINX.
- Copy the code into your server configuration and test one file's response headers.
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Result interpretation & practical applications
When evaluating the output of the x-robots-tag header generator, review the parsed metrics against your specific site architecture. Outputs are formatted for direct implementation into your HTML source, web server configuration, or Google Search Console audit files.
Always inspect generated values for contextual nuance. Automated tools highlight structural patterns, but manual verification confirms that technical directives align with your overarching SEO strategy.
Technical rules and limitations
- Any rule allowed in the robots meta tag can be sent as an X-Robots-Tag.
- A user agent can be named before the rules.
- Several X-Robots-Tag headers can be combined.
- Files blocked in robots.txt can't have their headers read.
Google's robots meta tag, data-nosnippet and X-Robots-Tag specifications
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
- Blocking the files in robots.txt as well, so Google never sees the header.
- Putting a single-file Apache rule in the wrong folder.
- Forgetting to reload NGINX after editing.
No tool can promise how a search engine will crawl, index, or rank your pages. This tool generates and validates code against documented technical specifications; you determine where to deploy it, and you should always test changes on staging environments first. Google publishes extensive guidelines in Search Central on evaluating third-party SEO tools and advice. Learn more about our technical testing standards on our about us page, or explore full site audits on our pricing page.
Related free tools & workflows
Browse all Advanced On-Page SEO Tools →Technical SEO Audit Workflows
Indexability & Crawling
Redirects & HTTP Headers
Authoritative Technical Documentation & Standards
This tool executes logic aligned with official technical documentation and search engine webmaster standards:
- Google Search Central X-Robots-Tag documentation
Google Search Central: Robots Meta Tag and X-Robots-Tag HTTP Header
Primary engineering source and technical documentation.
- IETF RFC 9110 HTTP Header standards
IETF RFC 9110: HTTP Semantics and Header Fields
Primary engineering source and technical documentation.
X-Robots-Tag Header Generator questions
When should I use the header instead of the meta tag? ↓
For files without HTML, such as PDFs and images.
How do I check it works? ↓
Look at the file's response headers in your browser's developer tools.
Can I target only Googlebot? ↓
Yes. Add googlebot as the user agent.
Is this tool free? ↓
Yes. It is completely free to use and requires no registration or subscription.
Does this tool visit my website or store my files? ↓
No. It executes entirely in your local browser runtime. Your inputs and results are never stored or logged on our servers.
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