In a recent episode of Search Off the Record, Google’s Search Liaison Danny Sullivan shared that structuring content solely for AI consumption is not a best practice — and it won’t be rewarded by Google’s ranking systems.

So, what does this mean for Australian brands and marketers?

Let’s break it down.

What Is Bite-Sized Content and Why Is It a Problem?

“Bite-sized” content refers to:

• Very short sections (often just a sentence or two)
  
• Content heavily focused on answering specific queries for AI summaries
  
• Question based headings with minimal detail beneath them

While this layout may seem appealing in the age of AI summaries (like Google’s SGE or ChatGPT’s answers), Google’s algorithms aren’t built to prioritise this style especially when it sacrifices quality, depth or user experience.

“We don’t want people to be producing content in a certain way because they think that's what our systems want.” - Danny Sullivan, Google Search Liaison

Will Bite-Sized Content Hurt Your Rankings?

Potentially, yes especially if your content:

• Lacks depth or meaningful value
  
• Prioritises machines over real users
  
• Sacrifices natural structure or readability

While fragmented content may temporarily surface in AI summaries, Google is actively evolving its systems to better detect and reward human-centric, useful content.

What Australian Businesses Should Do Instead

Whether you're a Canberra-based SME or a national eCommerce brand, your content strategy should now prioritise:

✅ 1. Write for People, Not Just Bots

This mantra is more relevant than ever. Think about what your audience genuinely needs, and aim to provide comprehensive, relevant and well-structured answers.

✅ 2. Maintain Depth and Context

Don’t shy away from long-form content. Detailed explanations, use cases, visuals and internal links help users and Google understand the full picture.

✅ 3. Use AI to Assist, Not Drive Strategy

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini can help speed up research or ideation. But they shouldn’t dictate your structure or replace expert insights.

✅ 4. Prioritise Local Relevance

In Australia and especially in markets like Canberra  your content should reflect local nuances, regulations and search intent. This level of specificity signals trust and authority to search engines.

What This Means for SEO in 2026 and Beyond

As AI evolves, so too does the SEO landscape. But Google’s stance remains consistent: reward content that helps people. Optimising for short-term AI exposure at the expense of user value is a losing game.

If you're building your digital presence in Australia, your focus should be on:

• Trust-building content
  
• Real user insights
  
• Brand consistency
  
• Long-term visibility

Need Help Future-Proofing Your Content?

At PupDigital, we help businesses across Canberra and Australia navigate the changing digital landscape with content strategies that put people first and still deliver results.

Let’s chat about your SEO goals for 2026.