As of December 2025, Google’s ranking systems continue to prioritise content that comprehensively addresses a searcher’s query, but the optimal length isn’t fixed; instead, Google’s RankBrain and, increasingly, its Gemini-powered AI models assess content *relevance* and *depth* relative to the competitive landscape for each specific keyword.
Currently, Google Search Console data for Australian websites shows a correlation between higher rankings and content exceeding 1500 words for many competitive keywords, however, this isn’t a universal rule. Google’s AI-powered understanding of Search Intent, now significantly enhanced in 2026, means shorter, highly focused content can rank well for informational queries with straightforward answers. Platforms like Semrush, available to Australian businesses with tiered subscription pricing starting from AUD$129.95/month, utilise AI to analyse the ‘content gap’ – identifying what information competitors *aren’t* providing. Semrush’s Keyword Magic Tool, as of December 2025, can estimate optimal content length based on top-ranking pages for a given keyword in Australia. In 2027, Google has announced further integration of AI-generated summaries directly within search results, potentially reducing click-through rates to longer-form content if the AI summary sufficiently answers the user’s question.
Ultimately, Google’s systems function by evaluating content based on its ability to satisfy user intent, using AI to determine the necessary depth and breadth of information, rather than adhering to a specific word count.
