Interlink Declares End of Human-Oriented HTML, Embraces AI-Oriented Markdown -- World's First (Our Research) AI-First Site

Interlink Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Toshima Ward, Representative Director: Masashi Yokoyama, hereinafter Interlink), a provider of specialized (and rarely used) services for advanced users, announced on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, that its corporate website (https://www.interlink.or.jp/) has been transformed into an "AI-First Homepage" optimized for AI. Abandoning the conventional structure based on human-oriented HTML files, and deleting HTML files with very few exceptions, all pages have been migrated to Markdown files (.md), creating a corporate site that generative AI and AI agents can directly read with ease.

Top screen of the AI-oriented homepage

【Background and Objectives】

In recent years, with the proliferation of tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, users are increasingly entrusting information gathering to AI. In response to these changes, Interlink has fundamentally re-evaluated its entire corporate website to adopt an information structure that is easily and accurately readable by AI.

Interlink has been providing internet connection services since 1995 and has consistently challenged industry norms, such as discontinuing phone support in 2006, closing its offices and transitioning to a fully remote system in 2020, and introducing a four-day workweek. This AI-First Homepage is another new challenge in this vein: "We've Stopped Making Homepages for Humans."

【Features of the AI-First Homepage】

The AI-First Homepage, launched today, eliminates HTML files for all pages except for a very small number of forms and member-only pages, migrating entirely to Markdown files (.md). Additionally, an "llms.txt" file for AI agents has been installed, and a JSON API providing service information in a machine-readable format has been released. For human users, a single HTML file with an MD viewer is provided to format and display Markdown. When viewed through the MD viewer, it appears as follows:

Top screen of the human-oriented homepage as seen in the MD file viewer

It would have been possible to make www.interlink.or.jp easily viewable for humans with a viewer. However, that would be precisely "for humans." We have prioritized .md files, which AI reads by default, with the human viewer as an option.

Interlink anticipates that browsers will eventually incorporate .md file display functionality. At that time, our top page will naturally become easily viewable. In other words, browsers that can display our homepage beautifully will serve as indicators of .md-compatible browsers.

Naturally, a significant drop in SEO rankings due to the elimination of HTML files was a concern. We proceeded with this decision despite acknowledging the risk.

【World's First Initiative (Our Research)】

To Interlink's knowledge, the initiative to almost entirely eliminate corporate website HTML files and reconstruct the entire site around Markdown is a world-first endeavor. While the adoption of llms.txt is spreading, Interlink has gone a step further, fundamentally redesigning the site file structure itself for the AI era.

llms.txt is a new site guidance file for AI agents proposed by Jeremy Howard (Answer.AI) in 2024. Its adoption is growing among overseas tech companies such as Anthropic, Cloudflare, Stripe, and Vercel. Building on this trend, Interlink has taken it a step further by reconstructing its entire corporate site file structure on a Markdown base.

【Comment from Masashi Yokoyama, Representative Director and President】

Many companies focus on "how to effectively use AI." Interlink's approach is the complete opposite. We are "all-in on getting AI to use us effectively." We are creating an environment that is not only easy for humans to work in but also easy for AI to work in. This decision is made with an eye toward a future where humans will no longer work.

In an era where AI agents search, compare, and cite information, corporate websites should also be designed with this premise. This initiative is not merely a site renovation but an adaptation to the next-generation web standards. We aim for Interlink's site to be recognized as a superior source from which AI agents can cite information most stress-free and accurately.

【Benefits Not Just for AI, But Also for Humans】

The AI-First approach is not solely for AI. The lightweight structure, free from excessive decoration, is expected to improve page loading speeds. Information such as pricing and specifications will also be easier to grasp clearly, primarily through text and tables. Furthermore, the JSON API facilitates easier integration with comparison sites and external systems.

【Scope of Implementation on April 1st】

As of April 1st, the following will be implemented:

・Markdown conversion of the entire corporate website ・Installation of llms.txt / robots.txt ・Release of JSON API ・Provision of MD viewer ・Publication of press release and declaration

On the other hand, items that cannot be expressed in .md files or functions that are premise on human operation, such as FAQs, member-only menus, application forms, and maintenance/outage information, have been excluded from the scope or are subjects for future consideration due to their impact and high importance. We plan to proceed with phased expansion while balancing topicality and safety.

【Interlink Co., Ltd. Official Website】

https://www.interlink.or.jp/

【Company Profile】

Interlink Co., Ltd.

A long-established ISP that began services in 1995, the dawn of the internet in Japan, now in its 31st year. In 2000, it launched its domain name registration business and was certified as the 8th ICANN-accredited registrar in Japan in October 2006. In January 2014, it became the first registrar partner in Japan for Google to accept registrations for the Japanese new gTLD ".みんな" (minna), and in the same year, began operating the new gTLDs ".moe" and ".earth". In October 2015, the number of domains handled exceeded 1,000 types, making it the largest in Japan. The company actively supports venture companies through the Femto Growth One Investment Limited Partnership and Femto Growth Three Investment Limited Partnership, and hosts initiatives such as the Otaku Senryu Award and the annual Red Feather Community Chest fundraising campaign in the virtual world of Second Life as part of its social contribution activities. On June 1, 2020, the company closed its head office and transitioned to a nomad work (telework + WeWork) system. A trial of the four-day workweek system began on May 16, 2022. https://www.interlink.or.jp/new/2022/0510.html