A token is the basic unit of text an AI language model processes, typically representing a word fragment rather than a whole word, with model pricing, processing limits, and context windows all measured in tokens.
Understanding tokens helps explain practical AI system constraints, such as why a very long document might need to be summarized or split up before an AI system can process it within its available context window.
While primarily a technical AI development concept, token-level understanding is increasingly relevant background knowledge for SEO practitioners working with AI tools and evaluating AI search behavior.
We stay informed on underlying AI mechanics relevant to our evolving SEO Content Strategy service.