Short vs. Long Content in AI Overviews: The Data Says Both Work

12/03/25
Source: Data & Studies – SEO Blog by Ahrefs by Despina Gavoyannis. Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Debunking Content Length Myths for AI Search Visibility

Content length has minimal impact on whether a page is cited in AI search overviews. Both short content (under 1,000 words) and long-form content (over 2,000 words) can be equally effective. Instead of chasing arbitrary word counts like 10,000+ words, focus on concise, clear content that directly answers user queries and matches the content format to its intent.

Optimixed’s Overview: Why Quality and Relevance Trump Word Count in AI Content Citations

Extensive Analysis Reveals Minimal Correlation Between Word Count and AI Citation Frequency

Recent studies and widespread advice have suggested extremes in content length—either ultra-long 10,000+ word guides or very brief 250-500 word posts—are necessary to succeed in AI-driven search visibility. However, a comprehensive analysis of over 174,000 pages cited in AI Overviews shows these assumptions are largely unfounded.

  • The average word count for cited content is approximately 1,282 words, slightly above typical Google organic ranking content averages.
  • More than half (53.4%) of cited pages contain under 1,000 words, debunking the myth that only long-form content gains AI citations.
  • The Spearman correlation between word count and citation position in AI Overviews is near zero (0.04), indicating no meaningful link.

Content Type and Intent Should Guide Length, Not Arbitrary Targets

Different content formats have varying median word counts, reflecting their purpose and user expectations:

  • Listings, core pages, and user-generated content: typically under 400 words and still frequently cited.
  • Articles and audio transcripts: tend to exceed 1,000 words but vary widely in length.
  • Product pages and transactional content: do not require lengthy text to be referenced in AI overviews.

This shows that matching content length to format and user intent is far more important than hitting an arbitrary word count.

Key Recommendations for Effective AI-Optimized Content

  • Answer queries directly and early: Provide clear, concise information upfront without burying the main point.
  • Prioritize structure and clarity: Use headings, declarative sentences, and easily scannable formatting to enhance readability.
  • Write for humans first: Engagement signals from readers are critical to search visibility; no one reads excessively long content in full.
  • Trim fluff: Include only as much content as necessary to thoroughly cover the topic.

Ultimately, the data underscores that quality, relevance, and user-focused clarity determine AI citations—not sheer word count. Content creators should focus on delivering value and matching format to intent rather than chasing misleading length metrics.