Really long pages

[NickM]

What are your thoughts on really long pages? Pages that attack a topic from every angle with strong, detailed, credible information. Let's say 1200+ words for argument's sake. Shouldn't a page like this beat a page with similar backlinks, but only 400 words? I have been working under this assumption and going back and adding more detailed content to pages I want to rank by making them more useful overall.

My current trend in building money pages is to list the top couple sites for the niche I'm targeting, followed by a little more n-depth info on the top site and why you should sign up there, followed by a shitload of useful content on every sub-niche of the one I'm targeting to please search engines and more curious (or indecisive) visitors.

But, I constantly see pages that literally have two sentences and an affiliate link continue to outrank my truly useful content with good backlinks. Let's not argue the merit of my sitebuilding or SEO prowess (like I know you will want to after the previous sentence). Do you believe that truly superior content is a catalyst to rankings success, or should I just buy more links?

[LadyHoldem]

The weight behind your site matters, and the keyword density matter. I'm not sure if that's argument of your prowess.. but the more words you add, the more you can dilute the keywords?

I had someone buy my first ever site, with 100's of content articles, then turn around and turn it into Texas Holdem Poker - All US Players Accepted! i thought she was dumb as hell at the time... deleting all my hard work!

Her mini site on my good and trusted domain made #1 for USA Casinos the week of UIGEA and a long time (and a lot of other related keywords) after that. The site still looks the same as it did then.

Funnyest part is she didn't even want that site, it was part of a package deal, she wanted itsabingo.com .. shrug. Smart lady she was anyway.

[LadyHoldem]

K well i just put the url there, the plugin added the groovy title n all.

[NickM]

but the more words you add, the more you can dilute the keywords?

Let's say I'm a pretty brilliant keyword stuffer...err, I mean SEO copywriter.