No! At least based on Google's published guidance, AI SEO hacks such as LLMS.txt aren't required to appear in AI-powered search experiences like Google AI Overviews.
Over the past year, many creators have suggested that tactics such as LLMS.txt, excessive content chunking, or publishing separate pages for every keyword variation are essential for improving visibility in generative search. However, Google has consistently emphasized that there isn't a separate set of ranking factors specifically for AI Overviews. Instead, the same fundamentals that support traditional SEO—creating original, people-first content; maintaining a strong technical foundation; and satisfying user intent—continue to matter.
That doesn't mean files like LLMS.txt are harmful. They may have niche use cases for certain AI systems, but Google has not stated that they are required for AI Overview visibility. In many cases, websites appearing in AI-powered search don't rely on AI-specific hacks at all.
From my own observations, the pages that were more frequently referenced in AI search shared common characteristics: they covered the complete user journey, organized information with headings, tables, and FAQs, and included original insights that were easy to understand and reference. Those factors appeared to have a greater impact than any AI-specific optimization tactic.
If your goal is long-term visibility, focus on becoming a reliable source rather than chasing shortcuts. Comprehensive topic coverage, clear structure, original experience, and technical SEO are more sustainable strategies than relying on unverified AI SEO hacks.
If you're interested in a real-world example, read my case study on "Google AI Overview Case Study: Why One Article Was Cited While Others Weren't." In it, I compare an article that appeared in Google AI Overviews with several that didn't, explain the patterns I observed, introduce my SOURCE Framework for AI-ready content, and break down what Google's official guidance says about optimizing for AI-powered search.