Why Do Recipe Sites Have Long Stories Before the Recipes?

it's story time...
Figure 1: Mega stories - small recipes - Stories about how the recipe came into existence seem to be the heart of the food blogger's arsenal.

It can be incredibly frustrating when you’re looking for a quick recipe, only to find yourself endlessly scrolling through someone’s life story. So, why do so many recipe sites insist on lengthy introductions? The reality is, for many bloggers, it's not just about sharing personal memories—it’s about business.

1. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

One of the biggest reasons behind those long stories is SEO. Search engines like Google rank content based on length and richness. The more content a site has, the more likely it is to show up when you search for a recipe. For food bloggers, this visibility is crucial because it brings in traffic—and traffic means ad revenue and affiliate clicks.

Unlike those blogs, The Real Naked Swedish Chef is run solely by me, with no ads to clutter your reading. I make no income from this site, so if you enjoy the content and want to support, feel free to click the Amazon links when shopping for kitchen items, or consider donating using the buttons in the header or footer. Or, check out the merchandise as it becomes available. But rest assured, this site will always remain free of intrusive advertising.

2. Monetisation and Ads

For most food bloggers, the stories aren’t there to create a personal connection—they're a strategy to maximise income. The longer the post, the more ads can be placed throughout the content. Every time you scroll past those ads or click on a link, the blogger earns a little bit of money. They also include affiliate links for products, which generate revenue when people buy through those links.

At The Real Naked Swedish Chef, I focus on real food and honest recipes, not on monetisation. There’s no hidden agenda here—I want to help you cook healthier meals without being bombarded by pop-ups and product placements.

3. Personal Connection?

Many food blogs claim to offer a personal connection, telling you stories about how the recipe came from their grandmother or their travels abroad. While some of these might be genuine, the majority are tailored to keep you on the page longer, feeding into SEO.

My personal connection? It comes through social media. Join the conversation on my Facebook page, or interact with others in The Real Naked Swedish Chef group. That’s where I connect with you and share more of my personal food journey.

4. Can You Skip the Story?

While the long stories can be annoying, some blogs offer a "Jump to Recipe" button to save time. It's a nice feature, but it still doesn’t change the fact that much of the content is designed for monetisation.

Here at The Real Naked Swedish Chef, the recipes come first. No fluff. No filler. Just what you need to start cooking healthier meals. However, if you ever want to support what I do, you can always use my Amazon links when shopping for your kitchen needs.