Split long articles into more pages?

[killeraces]

I've read somewhere that a web article should have at least 250 words on them. If 250 words is the minimum, what is the maxium, and more importantly, what number is optimum?

Would it be better SEO-wise if I split a 1,000 words article into a two-page 500 words article? Or perhaps a four-page 250 words article?

Thanks!

[whoisgregg]

One of the speakers at the last WW made an excellent point about splitting articles across multiple pages. Basically, he pointed out that a split article will get inbound links to it's different parts, diluting the benefit that article could see in SE rankings.

If a good article is on one page, regardless of length, then all the links will point to the same page and maximize the benefit in SE rankings.

[killeraces]

That is a good point. I never considered that. Thanks!

However, wouldn't people generally link the the first page of a multiple page article? (Unless it is one of those step-by-step instructional articles where the article may get diluted).

[whoisgregg]

I think that people will link to whatever page they read something they think is valuable. It would be the rare reader who concerns themselves with linking to the best page for the site.