Across 2.1M pages analyzed, depth out-correlates word count with rankings 2–4x. Yet publishers keep chasing 3,000-word targets. Here's what's actually working in 2026.
Only 4.5% of AI Mode sessions end in a click. AI Overviews already cut clicks by 34.5%. If your SEO dashboard still revolves around organic clicks, you're tracking the wrong thing.
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools scans for 100+ SEO issues. Free. Lighthouse audits Core Web Vitals. Free. Bing lets you submit 10K URLs a day. Free. The whole stack costs $0 — if you know what to use.