Word Count for LLM SEO Content

How long should an article be when optimizing for AI-driven search? The short answer is: There’s no magic number. Instead of targeting an arbitrary word count, modern SEO (especially for LLMs) emphasizes comprehensiveness, relevance, and depth. Google’s own experts have confirmed that word count is not a direct ranking factor. This means writing 3,000 words just for the sake of length won’t earn you a better spot in search or AI answers; what matters is whether your content fully satisfies the reader’s query. Seriously, we once ranked a 2,000-word article in featured snippet in under 30 days for a competitive keyword.

In the age of AI summaries and answer engines, even a moderately sized, well-crafted piece can outperform a long but shallow one.

Why Length Isn’t King:

• Quality over Quantity: Google’s John Mueller has stated plainly that “word count is not a ranking factor”. In practice, this means there’s no SEO bonus for bulk. AI-driven search agents prioritize content that clearly and accurately answers a question. A short piece that is spot-on and authoritative will be preferred by LLMs over a meandering word salad. Research supports this: one study showed that beyond a certain point (around 1,000 words), longer posts actually correlated negatively with backlinks – a sign that very long content can be bloated and less useful. Rather than chasing length, focus on ensuring every section of your content adds unique value.
  
  
• Answer the Query Fully: The goal is to cover the topic completely, not fluff. In practice, that often means covering all relevant subtopics or answering common follow-up questions. For example, if you’re writing about “how to tie a tie,” you might need multiple paragraphs to explain each knot. If you’re writing about something narrower, a few paragraphs might suffice. The key is meeting user intent. Think: would the reader feel satisfied and informed? If yes, you’re good, whether that takes 500 words or 2,000.
  
  
• LLM Summaries Consider Information Density: AI search (like ChatGPT or Google’s AI features) tends to summarize based on significance, not how far down the page the info is. If you bury a vital point deep in a 2,000-word article, an AI answer may never surface it. It’s better to be concise and punchy. Often, sections of 200–400 words, each targeting a specific subtopic, strike a good balance. This way, if an LLM snippet is generated, it has immediate access to the key points.
  
  
• Focus on Content Depth: Longer word counts might be justified if your topic truly requires detail – for instance, a technical tutorial or comprehensive guide. But even then, ensure every sentence serves a purpose or you risk the piece becoming thin content. Use bullet lists, diagrams, or examples instead of padding with fluff. In SEO terms, think about covering intent rather than hitting an arbitrary length. Are you answering the who/what/when/where/why/how that searchers need? Are you including relevant examples or clarifications? These factors add meaningful words, whereas filler text does not.
  
  

Practical Tips:

• Audit Competitor Content: Look at top-ranking articles for your keyword. How long are they? What do they cover? Often, the ideal length is what’s needed to out-inform them on each point. If top answers cover 1,000 words across 5 sections, your article should at least match that depth (but again, don’t add words just for length).
  
  
• Add Depth, Not Fluff: If you find yourself writing a long section and realizing it’s mostly common knowledge or padding, stop. Instead, consider if there are angles or specifics you’re missing. For example, add relevant stats, expert quotes, or unique examples. These enrich content naturally.
  
  
• Break Content into Sections: Regardless of total length, structure matters (see content formatting above). Use headings to create digestible pieces. This helps the reader (and the AI) process longer content more easily. In the era of “AI citations,” clear structure can sometimes compensate for length by highlighting your best insights in each section.
  
  
• Review for Completeness: After drafting, ask yourself: Does this fully answer the question or cover the topic? If yes, stop and finalize. If you find gaps, add targeted subsections (which increase length organically).
  
  

In summary, there’s no required word count for LLM-optimized content. The focus should be on richness and clarity of information. As one SEO expert quipped, if word count were a ranking factor, “the fluffiest English majors would rule the search results” – obviously not the case. Instead, think of writing to satisfy intent. Provide clear, accurate answers and structure your content so LLMs can easily extract those answers. When that’s done, your ideal word count will fall out naturally – long enough to be comprehensive, but no longer.