How Long Should a Blog Post Be in 2025? (Complete Guide to Blog Ideal Length)

A great blog post may contain all the super helpful information for readers online. But when writing content, how long should a blog post be to provide an amazing post to your target audience?

Google’s recent updates have placed a higher emphasis on the importance of quality written content that provides value to online readers. Your content marketing efforts should provide engaging, informative, and easy-to-read, well-organized blog posts with appropriate headings and subheadings.

When Google introduced the Panda in 2011, it kept a keen eye on website content quality, particularly focusing on relevance and value. Sites that were cannibalizing keywords and publishing thin content were placed on death row. In 2018, the Medic update shone the light back on content, particularly targeting health and fitness websites. Google’s E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) became the talk of the town for content marketers. Strict compliance with E-A-T became highly recommended.

And now with Google’s Helpful Update, content became the top-level priority for search engine rankings. This update placed an even heavier emphasis on content quality, relevance, and value than ever before.

While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the optimal length of blog posts, longer blogs have been observed to do much better than shorter ones. Not only do they generally rank better, but they also tend to generate more social media shares and attract more backlinks. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be writing long-form content with a 3,000+ average word count every time.

The key to successful blog posts is finding the balance between providing helpful content to satisfy readers and not lose their interest. The optimal length should be determined by the amount of information you need to cover to explain the topic fully.

In this guide, we’ll cover great tips on determining the perfect blog post length for your audience

In this guide:

• What is the Ideal Blog Post Length?
• Determining the Ideal Blog Post Length
• The Benefits of Long-Form Blog Posts
• How to Write Longer Blog Posts

Google currently has 86.86% of the search engine market.

What is the Ideal Blog Post Length?

After almost a year of experimentation on my very own website (It’s a Writer’s World), I’ve noticed that longer form content between 2000 to 3000 words produces the best results. When you stay within this average when writing blog posts, your content can become an authority piece on the topics, rank higher on Google search engine results, and get more social shares and backlinks.

However, I’ve also seen shorter posts on my blog (1500 to 2000 word count) that have performed quite well. My article on Online Reputation Management: How do you solve a problem like J&T Express? was ranking pretty high on search engines and getting a lot of organic search traffic for several years, and I have a hunch as to why.

Topic

First of all, the blog content topic was a hot one and covers a specific company—J&T Express—which has received a couple of complaints, especially during the pandemic, due to parcels damaged during the delivery process or never delivered at all. A viral video also spread like wildfire on social media and exposed one of their warehouses with employees throwing parcels carelessly into the delivery trucks.

In the screenshot above, it can be seen that most of the keywords this particular blog post is ranking for are brand keywords. With the company’s lack of digital presence, my blog post was ranking for keywords with high search volume, such as ‘J&T express’ and ‘JT Express problems.’

This leads to the conclusion that while longer posts may generally rank higher in search engine results, shorter articles can also do well if focused on specific topics and brands. Topics generating discussion and controversy will draw more attention; shorter blog posts can capitalize on that.

Market

The blog focuses on online reputation management, which is not as competitive as other aspects of digital marketing. Also, not so many marketers offer this service, especially in the Philippines. Some companies have integrated this service with PR (public relations) and media exposure, but there weren’t many like me who focused on building sustainable online reputation campaigns.

Structure

The blog post was written in a way that was easy for readers to understand and followed a logical structure. It covers why online reputation management is important and how companies like J&T Express can use it to their advantage, as well as the steps needed to create an effective online reputation management campaign.

So, the lesson here is that the perfect blog post length will vary depending on the topic, structure, and market you’re targeting. You should experiment with different sizes to determine what works best for your audience and industry. However, I would still recommend sticking to around the 2000-3000 words range if possible, as this is still the sweet spot for most content.

Determining the Ideal Blog Post Length

It’s essential to understand the correlation between blog post word count and the type of content that it’s commonly used for. While there is no hard and fast rule regarding the content length, there are general guidelines that can help you create content that resonates with your audience.

300-500 Word Count

Shorter blog posts, typically between 300 and 500 words, are commonly used for professional journalism (like news updates), brief product reviews, and social media posts. They are ideal for sharing on social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn, where brevity is key.

Short-form content is also great for capturing the attention of readers looking for a quick answer. Company announcements and news articles can also be short blogs that share the main details quickly and succinctly.

700-1000 Word Count

Medium blog post length is usually between 700-1,000 words and is ideal for how-to guides, listicles, and full review of products. These longer blog posts provide enough information to cover a topic thoroughly without overwhelming the reader with too much detail.

1500-2500 Word Count

Long-form blog posts, typically 1,500-2,500 words or more, are ideal for comprehensive guides, case studies, white papers, or any complex topic. Long-form blog posts with this article length provide in-depth information on a particular topic and require more research and analysis.

4,000 Word Count

Pillar pages and thorough site guides are the most common types of content that typically exceed 4,000 words. These posts are designed to cover a topic thoroughly and comprehensively, providing readers with a detailed explanation and analysis of the topic. They are often used to rank for competitive keywords.

Questions to Ask Yourself to Determine the Ideal Blog Post Length

There are a few questions you should ask yourself to determine the ideal blog post length and word count for your post:

#1 What’s your Blog Topic and How Comprehensive

Blog topics have different depths and details. The optimal blog post length will depend on the specific topic you are writing about and the amount of information that needs to be covered to make it a valuable and informative read for your audience.

For example:

• A blog post about veganism might require a more in-depth approach. You’ll need to explain why someone should consider going vegan, provide information on the benefits, how to transition, and tips for staying healthy while avoiding animal products.
• A list of the best hostels around the world may not require as many details. Readers will be mainly interested in getting a quick overview of each hostel.

The same concept applies to a general subject matter.

For example:

• A book blog may require longer posts as readers expect to read book reviews, author interviews, and discussions of literary themes and topics.
• A travel or fashion blog may require shorter posts focusing more on providing inspiration, tips, and advice rather than deep analysis or critique.

By understanding the depth of content expectations for different topics, you can more effectively choose the optimal blog post length and provide your audience with the information they are looking for in an engaging and informative way.

#2 Who is Your Target Audience?

Understanding your audience is critical to crafting content that resonates with them. The article length is just one aspect of your content that should be tailored to your audience’s preferences, interests, and needs.

Your Audience is New to the Topic

If your audience is new to a topic, they may require more background information to understand the subject matter. In this case, you should write a longer blog post that provides more context, definitions, and explanations.

For example, if you are writing a blog post about creating a website, you may need to provide many step-by-step instructions, screenshots, and links to other resources. This post would likely be longer and more in-depth to ensure the reader can follow along and understand the information presented.

Your Audience is Already Skilled and Knowledgeable

In this case, they may require less background information. In this case, you can likely write a shorter blog post that dives straight into the more nuanced aspects of the topic. For example, if you write a blog post about advanced SEO techniques, your readers are likely already familiar with basic SEO concepts. Therefore, you can focus on more specific and detailed tips and tricks to help them take their SEO to the next level.

Know your Audience’s Search Intent

You should also consider your audience’s intent. Are they looking for quick tips, in-depth guides, or a combination of both? For example, if you are writing a blog post about the best tools for social media management, your audience may be looking for a quick list of tools they can try.

In this case, a shorter blog post that briefly overviews each tool may be more appropriate. Alternatively, if your audience is looking for a more comprehensive guide to social media management, a longer blog post that goes into greater detail on each tool may be more appropriate.

By putting yourself in your audience’s shoes and considering their level of knowledge and intent, you can create a blog post tailored to their needs, interests, and preferences and choose the right average blog post length for your article.

#3 What is the Goal of Your Content?

It’s crucial to have a clear goal in mind for each blog post you write. Knowing the specific outcome you want to achieve will help you tailor your writing and optimize the length of the post. For example, if your goal is to rank on search engines, you’ll want to create a comprehensive, in-depth post that covers the topic thoroughly. This type of blog article will likely require a higher word count than a post to get social shares, which may be more visually focused and shorter in length.

To drive sales, you should create a blog post focused on a specific product or service. In this case, the length of the post will depend on the complexity of the product or service you’re promoting and the level of detail required to explain its benefits. By clearly understanding your goal, you’ll be able to determine the appropriate length for your blog post to achieve your desired outcome.

#4 What is the Average Blog Post Length of Pages Currently Ranking for Your Target Keyword?

Knowing the average length of other blog posts currently ranking for your target keyword is an important aspect of optimizing your blog post. Your competitors’ post length matters as it gives you insights into how Google rewards different content lengths for a particular keyword.

If the average blog post length of pages currently ranking for your target keyword is short, it may be worth experimenting with a shorter article to test how Google responds. Conversely, if the current top-ranking pages are long-form content and comprehensive, you will likely need to write an equally in-depth post that covers the topic thoroughly to compete. Learning how many words competitors have written about a keyword will also help you understand the kind of content and average blog post length expected to rank well for your topic.

To see how many words your competitors have written for your topic, you can start by conducting a quick search on Google using your target keyword and analyzing the top-ranking blog posts. Tools like the Detailed Chrome extension can also help you quickly assess the word count on each page. Personally, I use SurferSEO’s content editor—not only does it provide the post word length, but it also helps identify keyword ideas to be used throughout.

For example, you’re writing a blog post about “healthy breakfast recipes.” Suppose the average post length for “healthy breakfast recipes” is over 2000 words and covers various topics such as vegan, gluten-free, or keto breakfast recipes. In that case, it may be a good idea to aim for a similar content length and level of detail in your blog post. However, if the blog length is shorter and only covers a few specific breakfast recipes, you can aim for a shorter blog length but ensure that your content is comprehensive and valuable.

By analyzing the competition, you can optimize your blog length to ensure that it meets the expectations of your target audience and search engines. This will give you a better chance of ranking well for your target keyword.

71% of bloggers say SEO is the most important source of traffic.

The Benefits of Long-Form Blog Posts

Most content marketers will recommend writing longer posts for a good reason. Aside from ranking well on Google and other search engines, long-form content can generate more readers’ engagement. Longer articles draw readers in and keep them engaged for longer periods. In fact, 40% of people stay longer on the page with long-form blog posts.

Naturally, longer blog posts will take more time to read. The average time blog readers spend on your website can send positive signals to search engines that your blog post is relevant and high quality. Thus, it tells Google you’re worthy of ranking in a good position. Long posts equate to more page views, social shares, and backlinks.

Research has revealed that longer blog posts with 1,000 to 2,000 words produce a whopping 77% more backlinks and 56% greater social shares than any post under 1,000 words. This makes it an excellent tool for boosting your credibility as a writer—be it through guest blogging or creating posts on your own blog. The likelihood of gaining engagement is significantly higher when valuable content is included that others can benefit from.

Long-form content drastically improves search engine optimization(SEO). Search engines strive to provide all users with reliable, accurate information that is easily accessible. Unfortunately, a 300-word blog post will rarely be detailed enough to gain visibility on the web. To ensure your blog posts are optimized for SEO performance and have better chances of ranking higher in search results, focus on comprehensive content that demonstrates value and trustworthiness.

If you want to see massive growth in organic traffic and increase your chances for conversion, you must show up for widely searched keywords. Although writing 700 more words may feel tiresome, the rewards will be huge. So go ahead and make sure those extra words are included—they’ll pay off.

Long-form content also helps establish authority and thought leadership in the industry, especially if you answer readers’ questions and provide more details. Longer-form content means you’ve spent time researching and understanding the topics. The concept of thought leadership is crucial for any business as it helps build trust and credibility, which are essential components in determining customer loyalty.

How to Write Longer Blog Posts

Now that you see the benefits of writing longer blog posts, let’s take a look at some tips on how to write them:

Step 1: Conduct comprehensive research before you start writing

Conducting comprehensive research before writing your blog post is crucial for producing high-quality content. By doing background research, you’ll understand your topic thoroughly, which will help you produce accurate and informative content.

To conduct comprehensive research, you should start by identifying reputable sources. These may include academic journals, industry publications, books, and reliable websites. Consider interviewing experts in the field to obtain unique insights and perspectives on your topic.

For instance, if you’re writing a post on increasing website conversions, you could research conversion optimization strategies, such as A/B testing, improving website design, or using social proof. You could also explore case studies and examples of businesses successfully increasing their website conversions.

In addition to researching your topic, it’s important to understand your audience and their interests. Consider their demographics, pain points, and interests, and use this information to tailor your blog post to their needs.

Step 2: Choose strategic keywords to use in your blog posts

It’s important to research and find keywords relevant to your topic that your audience is actively searching for. This can help improve your blog’s search engine rankings and attract more visitors to your website.

One of the best ways to find strategic keywords is through keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz. These tools can help you identify popular long-tail keywords, as well as their search volume and competition level.

Once you’ve identified your keywords, it’s important to use them strategically in your blog post. Be sure to include your keywords in your blog post title, meta description, and within the body of your post. However, don’t overuse your keywords, as this can lead to your content being penalized by search engines.

Another important aspect of using strategic keywords is to ensure they are relevant to your content. For instance, if your blog post is about content marketing for small businesses, make sure the keywords you choose are specific to this topic, such as “content marketing for small businesses” or “content marketing strategies for startups.”

Step 3: Create a brief and detailed outline of your blog posts

A good blog post is structured and organized. To ensure that your post flows well and is easy to follow, create a brief and detailed outline before you start writing. An outline is a crucial step in the blog post writing process, as it allows you to map out your thoughts and ideas and organize them in a logical sequence. This will save you time and effort, as it helps prevent writer’s block and keep your writing focused and on track.

When creating an outline:

• Start by identifying the main points or arguments you want to make in your blog post. This will be the backbone of your post, ensuring you stay on topic throughout the writing process.
• Once you have identified the main points, you can begin brainstorming supporting evidence or examples that will strengthen your argument and provide context.

It’s also important to create an introduction and conclusion for your post. The introduction should grab the reader’s attention and clearly state what the post will be about. As for the conclusion, it should summarize the main points and a clear call to action for the reader.

To make your outline more effective:

• Use bullet points or numbering to break down each main point into smaller sub-points. This helps you stay organized and ensure you cover all the necessary information.
• Use subheadings to break up your post and keep it easy to read. This will help readers skim and quickly find the information they are looking for.
• As you write, refer back to your outline to ensure you don’t stray off-topic. This will help you stay focused, organized, and on track throughout the writing process.

Step 4: Use images to break up paragraphs 

Using images in your blog posts is a great way to make your content visually appealing and engaging. Images can break up long blocks of text and provide a visual representation of the information you’re presenting, which can help to clarify concepts and make your content more memorable.

Choose high-quality, relevant images that support the content of your blog posts. Avoid using stock images that are irrelevant to your topic or low-quality images that are blurry or pixelated. Instead, take the time to find or create interesting, informative, and visually appealing images.

You can use several types of images in your blog posts, including photographs, infographics, charts and graphs, and illustrations.

• Infographics are a great way to present complex information in a visual format.
• Charts and graphs can be used to present data or statistics.
• Illustrations help to clarify concepts or provide a visual representation of an abstract idea.

When using images in your blog posts, it’s also important to optimize them for the web. This means compressing the file size to load quickly and including relevant alt text and image titles for accessibility and SEO purposes.

Step 5: Vary sentence structure 

Bullet points and numbered lists make scanning and absorbing the information in your blog post easier for readers. They can help to break up large blocks of text, making the content more visually appealing and easier to read. They also provide a clear structure for your content, helping keep your writing focused and organized.

When using bullet points and lists:

• Keep them concise and to the point. Each point should sum up the idea you want to convey.
• Avoid using lengthy paragraphs as bullet points, and try to limit each point to one or two lines at most.

For example, if you’re writing a blog post about the benefits of a particular product, you might use bullet points to list each feature and highlight the benefits of each one. Or, if you’re writing how-to blog posts and list posts, you might use numbered lists to break down the steps in the process.

Step 6: Write readable text in active voice 

Use language that is easy to read and understand. Avoid jargon or technical language that might be difficult for the average reader to understand. Instead, focus on writing clear, readable sentences in an active voice. This will help to make your content more engaging and interesting for readers.

Active voice is when the subject performs the action in a sentence. For example:

• Active: The cat chased the mouse.
• Passive: The mouse was chased by the cat.

Active voice often sounds more direct and energetic, making it easier for readers to follow along with your content.

In addition to using active voice, try to keep your sentences short and simple. Long, complex sentences can make it difficult for readers to understand the content of your post. Aim for sentences that are no longer than two lines at most.

Keep in mind that over 60% of searches are now conducted on a mobile device. On smaller screens, paragraphs become more condensed and appear longer. If you feel an idea is getting too lengthy while writing it on your desktop, it will look even lengthier on one’s phone screen. Don’t be scared to press ‘enter’ and divide those ideas into multiple parts for improved readability!

Step 7: Don’t forget to add your original perspective  

While it is important to research and gather information on the topic you are writing about, injecting your unique perspective into the content is also crucial. Putting your own spin on the topic adds value and makes it more interesting and engaging for your readers. Here’s how:

Share Personal Experience

One idea to add your own voice is to share personal experiences or anecdotes related to the topic. This helps to make the post more relatable and humanizes the content. For example, if you are writing about the benefits of a certain exercise routine, share your personal experience of how it has helped you.

Offer a New Perspective

Another way to add your own spin is to challenge conventional thinking or offer a new perspective on a topic. You can do this by sharing your own research or analysis or by presenting an alternative viewpoint that is not commonly discussed. By doing this, you are offering something new and valuable to your readers that they may not have found elsewhere.

Remember that providing originality in your blog posts will set you apart from other bloggers and keep your readers coming back for more.

Dominate the First Page Google Search with Long Form Content!

The ideal blog post length will vary depending on your goal and the topic you are writing about. For example, if your goal is to rank higher on Google search for a particular topic and increase organic website traffic, then a long-form blog post will be more beneficial. The best length for blog posts to rank on Google is around 2000–3000 words. This gives you enough room for comprehensive coverage of the topic, allowing you to use more keywords and phrases related to your niche.

In addition, longer content will help establish your website as an authority in your industry and make it easier for readers to trust what you are saying. This will also increase engagement, as readers are more likely to spend more time on your website if they can find all the information they need in one place.

At It’s a Writer’s World SEO and Content Marketing Agency, we provide SEO and content writing services to help you create long-form content that will dominate the first page of Google search results. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business succeed!

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