An inductively heatable aerosol-generating article for an inductively heating aerosol-generating device is provided, the article including: an aerosol-forming rod segment having a cylindrical shape with a constant outer cross-section including an elongate susceptor element and an aerosol-forming substrate surrounding the susceptor element so as to define the cylindrical shape of the rod segment, the susceptor element including at least one narrower portion at each extreme end of the susceptor element, and the narrower portion at each extreme end including a reduced transverse cross-section as compared to one or more portions of the susceptor element along a length extension of the susceptor element including a maximum transverse cross-section of the susceptor element. A method is also provided for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-forming rod segments in a continuous rod-forming process including usage of a continuous susceptor profile having reduced transverse cross-sections at periodically spaced positions along its length extension.