Creating blog content can be challenging. Many factors affect the success of a blog post, including keyword usage, topic choice, images, structure, internal links, and length.
The ideal length of a blog post is determined by the number of words and how it will be indexed.
The Word Count and Search Rank Are Not Directly Related
Yes, you read that correctly. Many people believe that the number of words on a page impacts its ranking in search engines. This isn’t true.
While word count can play a role in SEO, it’s not the primary factor influencing rankings. There are other important SEO factors, such as keyword density and domain authority, that matter more. Word count can help in some situations but isn’t the only factor at play.
Data supports this. Backlinko, one of our favorite SEO blogs, analyzed 11.8 million Google search results and found no direct correlation between the number of words and search engine ranking. Pages with fewer words are just as likely to rank on the first page of search results as pages with more content.
Blog Post Length Factors
The length of a blog post depends on various factors. When deciding how long your post should be, consider the following:
A Blog Post Should Be at Least 450 Words
Yoast recommends at least 300 words per blog post, noting that Google tends to favor longer content. We recommend increasing the minimum to at least 500 words per post. Why? A blog’s purpose is to offer value to the reader, and 300-word posts often don’t provide enough depth to answer questions fully.
Backlinko’s study mentioned earlier found that the average number of words in a Google Top 10 result is 1,447. We’ll explore this further in a later post.
When deciding the length of a blog, try this technique: “Can I answer the question in X words?”
You want to deliver maximum value in as few words as necessary. The complexity of the topic will determine the ideal word count. For simpler topics, fewer words may suffice, while more complex subjects will require more content.
Page Purpose
The length of your blog post will depend on its purpose. For example, an “About Us” page doesn’t need to be very long. A brief description of your company, what you do, and why you’re in business may be enough. However, longer pages, such as “Ultimate Guides,” will require more content to provide thorough information.
Think about how much content your readers need. You don’t have to cram everything into one page; it’s about providing the right amount of information based on the topic.
Types of Content
The type of content you’re writing also affects blog length. For example, a “Guide to Small Business SEO Basics” will likely require a more substantial post because the topic is complex.
A 500-word post might be perfect for a short, less complex topic. On the other hand, more in-depth subjects may require longer content to adequately address the questions posed.
Ultimately, ask yourself: Is this content valuable?
Consider the Keywords and Content of Your Competitors
When writing your blog posts, look at your competitors’ content to ensure you’re offering something better. Analyzing the top-ranking pages for your target keywords can help you understand what works in your niche.
Focus on content quality, not just word count, to boost organic traffic. While word count can play a role in SEO, relevant, high-quality content is more important than simply meeting a specific length.
Benefits of Long-Form Content
When deciding on blog length, consider the advantages of long-form content:
1. Increases Time Spent on Page
Long-form content naturally takes more time to read. This increased engagement can positively impact SEO, as Google tends to favor content that keeps visitors on your page longer. It also gives you the opportunity to include more links to other valuable pages on your website.
2. Content Can Be Repurposed
Long-form content offers more opportunities for repurposing. Repurposing your content can be cost-effective for small businesses and save time.
You can turn a detailed blog post into podcast episodes, e-books, social media posts, and more. Repurposing content creatively helps you extend its reach across different platforms.
3. More Social Shares
Quicksprout published a study that found long-form content tends to get more shares than short-form content. The study showed that people prefer to share detailed content with higher value, rather than bite-sized articles.
On average, content exceeding 1,500 words received 68.1% more shares than shorter posts. More social shares mean more visitors to your site.
4. It Gets More Backlinks
Long-form content also tends to attract more backlinks. Quicksprout claims that websites with detailed, content-rich articles are more likely to earn backlinks. More backlinks can improve your site’s authority, helping it rank higher in search engines.
How Long Should a Blog Post Be?
While word count is an important factor, it’s not the only one. Focus on creating valuable, high-quality content that meets your readers’ needs. That said, 1,500 words is a good target for most blog posts.
Use these tips to help guide your next post. Remember, there’s more to SEO than just word count. But by creating well-rounded, valuable content, you’ll be on the right track to improving your rankings.
