Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Why Google Discourages Bite-Sized Content for LLM Ranking
Google’s Danny Sullivan advises against breaking content into bite-sized chunks solely to rank better with Large Language Models (LLMs). He emphasizes that content should be written for users, not algorithms. While such tactics might yield short-term gains, they are unlikely to be effective long-term as ranking systems evolve. Ultimately, human-focused content remains the best SEO strategy.
Optimixed’s Overview: Prioritizing User-Focused Content Over LLM Optimization Tricks
Google’s Stance on Content Chunking for LLMs
During a recent podcast, Danny Sullivan from Google clarified that the company does not support the practice of splitting content into smaller segments just to rank higher in search results powered by LLMs. He highlighted discussions with engineers confirming that this approach is not aligned with Google’s goals.
Why Bite-Sized Content Isn’t a Sustainable SEO Approach
- While some marketers may see immediate benefits from chunking content, these advantages are often temporary and situational.
- Ranking algorithms and LLM systems are continually updated to better recognize content designed for human readers, not just for machines.
- Efforts focused solely on manipulating ranking factors for LLMs may backfire as systems evolve, potentially wasting time and resources.
Focus on Creating Content for Your Audience
Sullivan’s advice reinforces a core SEO principle: write your content with users in mind. Instead of producing multiple versions of content tailored to specific ranking systems or LLMs, concentrate on quality, clarity, and usefulness. This approach ensures your content remains valuable regardless of changes in search technology.
