Hypothesis: AI prefers shorter, scannable content. Testing with two versions of the same topic.
The Experiment
I wrote two versions of "What is AEO?"
- Version A: 500 words, bullet points, direct answers
- Version B: 2,500 words, long-form, comprehensive
Both published on same day. Tracking which gets more traction.
Current Status: Day 8
| Metric | Short (A) | Long (B) |
|---|---|---|
| Page views | 34 | 28 |
| Avg time on page | 1:20 | 3:45 |
| Bounce rate | 65% | 42% |
| AI citations | 0 | 0 |
Early Observations
- People prefer shorter content (more views, faster to consume)
- Longer content keeps people on page longer
- Neither has AI citations yet
What's Next
Running for another week. Will also test whether AI prefers content with more headers, more links, or different formats.
Last updated: Feb 11, 2026