A longer chain may be preferable when its transmitters demonstrate stronger memorization, legal understanding, trustworthiness, or clearer transmission links than those in the shorter chain.
Example: A six-link route has a narrator whose precision is questioned, while a seven-link route consists of strong preservers. The latter may offer stronger evidence despite being numerically lower.
The pursuit of elevation is not a contest to minimize digits. A reduced number of links and the actual strength of a route must be weighed together.
Thus a higher chain is not invariably a more authentic chain.