Google’s recent updates have placed a higher emphasis on the importance of quality content that provides value to online readers. Your content marketing efforts should be focused on providing engaging, informative, and easy-to-read blog posts that are well-organized with appropriate headings and subheadings.
When Google introduced the Panda back in 2011, Google kept a keen eye on content quality for websites 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 has 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 (2022), 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 as to how long should a blog be, longer blog posts have been observed to do much better than shorter ones. Not only do they generally rank better, but they also tend to generate more shares and attract more backlinks. But that doesn’t mean you’ll need to write a 3,000+ average word count post every time.
The key to successful blog posts is finding the balance between providing enough information to satisfy readers and not losing their interest. The post length should be determined by the amount of information you need to cover to fully explain the topic.
In this guide, we’ll cover several tips on how to determine the perfect blog post length for your audience.
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 long-form content between 2000 to 3000 average word count 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 had 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.
First, 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 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 they are focused on specific topics and brands. Topics that are generating discussion and controversy will draw more attention and the shorter blog post can capitalize on that.
Second, the focus was online reputation management which is a space that 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.
Lastly, the blog post was written in such a way that it was easy for readers to understand and it follows a logical structure. It goes from why online reputation management is important and how companies like J&T Express can use it to their advantage to the steps needed in order 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 and market you’re targeting. You should experiment with different sizes to determine what works best for your audience and industry. But 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 ideal blog post length, there are general guidelines that can help you to create content that resonates with your target audience.
300-500 Word Count
Shorter blog posts that are typically between 300-500 words are commonly used for news updates, brief product reviews, and social media posts. Short posts 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 who have a short attention span and are looking for quick, easy-to-digest information. Company announcements and news articles can also come in the form of a short blog where the main details are shared quickly and succinctly.
700-1000 Word Count
Medium blog post length is typically between 700-1,000 words and is ideal for how-to guides, listicles, and more in-depth product reviews. 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 that are typically between 1,500-2,500 words or more are ideal for comprehensive guides, case studies, and white papers. Long-form blog posts with this article length provide in-depth information on a particular topic and require a higher level of research and analysis.
4,000 Word Count
Pillar pages and thorough guides are the most common types of content that typically exceed 4,000 words. These types of posts are designed to cover a topic in a thorough and comprehensive manner. Pillar posts are designed to provide readers with a detailed explanation and analysis of the topic and are often used to rank for competitive keywords.
15 Types of Content Marketing (It’s Not Just About Blogs)
Content marketing comes in all shapes and sizes, with each one having the potential to reach a different audience and achieve different goals. So, if you feel your content marketing could use little mixing things up, check out these 15 types of content marketing that just might be the perfect addition to your strategy.
There are a few questions you should ask yourself to determine the ideal blog post length and word count for your post:
What’s your Blog Topic and How Comprehensive
Not all blog topics require the same level of depth and detail. The ideal 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, as you will need to explain the reasons why someone should consider going vegan, as well as provide information on the benefits of this lifestyle choice, how to transition to a vegan diet, and tips for staying healthy while avoiding animal products. On the other hand, a listicle of the best hostels to stay in around the world may not require as much detail, as 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 may expect to read book reviews, author interviews, and discussions of literary themes and topics. However, a travel or fashion blog may require shorter posts that are more focused on providing inspiration, tips, and advice for readers, rather than deep analysis or critique.
By understanding the depth of content expectations for different types of topics, you can more effectively choose the optimal blog post length and provide your audience with the information they are looking for in a way that is both engaging and informative.
Who is Your Target Audience?
Understanding your audience is critical to crafting content that resonates with them. The blog post length is just one aspect of your content that should be tailored to your audience’s preferences, interests, and needs.
If your audience is new to a topic, they may require more background information to understand the subject matter. In this case, you might need to write a longer blog post that provides more context, definitions, and explanations. For example, if you are writing a blog post about how to create a website, you may need to provide a lot of step-by-step instructions, screenshots, and links to other resources. This type of post would likely be longer and more in-depth to ensure that the reader can follow along and understand the information presented.
On the other hand, if your audience is more advanced in their knowledge of a particular topic, they may not require as much 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 are writing a blog post about advanced SEO techniques, your readers are likely already familiar with basic SEO concepts. Therefore, you may be able to focus on more specific and detailed tips and tricks to help them take their SEO to the next level.
In order to determine the appropriate length for your blog post, you should also consider your audience’s intent. Are they looking for quick tips, in-depth analysis, 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 that they can try out. In this case, a shorter blog post that provides a brief overview of 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 that is tailored to their needs, interests, and preferences, and choose the right average blog post length for your article.
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 with the goal of getting social shares, which may be more visually focused and shorter in length.
If your goal is to drive sales, you may want to create a blog post that is 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.
Ultimately, by having a clear understanding of your goal, you’ll be able to determine the appropriate length for your blog post to achieve your desired outcome.
What is the Average Blog Post Length of Pages Currently Ranking for Your Target Keyword?
Knowing the average length of other blog posts that are currently ranking for your target keyword is an important aspect of optimizing your own 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 in order to compete.
Learning how many words competitors have written about a keyword will also help you to understand the kind of content and average blog post length that is 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, it also helps me identify keywords to be used throughout.
For example, let’s say you’re writing a blog post about “healthy breakfast recipes”. If the average post length for “healthy breakfast recipes” is over 2000 words and covers a wide range of topics such as vegan, gluten-free, or keto breakfast recipes, then 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, giving 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 to write longer posts for a good reason. Aside from ranking well on google and other search engines, long-form content can also generate more engagement from readers. Longer articles tend to draw readers in and keep them engaged for longer periods of time. 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 spent by blog readers on your website can help send positive signals to search engines that your blog post is relevant and high quality. Thus, it tells Google that you’re worthy to rank in a good position. Long posts equate to more 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. This could likely be because users find more value in lengthy posts, prompting them to share it with their network or use it as a reference. By including valuable content that others can benefit from, the likelihood of gaining engagement is significantly higher. 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 which demonstrates value, and trustworthiness and provides more value. If you want to see massive growth in organic traffic and increase your chances for conversion, it is essential that you 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. Lastly, long-form content also helps establish authority and thought leadership in the industry especially if you get to answer readers’ questions and provide more detail. 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 to build trust and credibility, which are essential components in determining customer loyalty.Case Study: Photo Editing Service’s Organic Traffic Grows by 32.87% in 5 Months
This company was struggling with its organic traffic and getting new leads. What’s more is that they are planning to lower the costs of their Google Ads campaign—which is currently the main driver of their customer acquisition. So, they needed a more cost-effective way to grow their customer base and generate enough leads cheaply.
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:- Conduct comprehensive research before you start writing
Conducting comprehensive research before you start writing your blog post is crucial for producing high-quality content that resonates with your readers. By doing background research, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of your topic, which will help you produce accurate and informative content. Moreover, this knowledge will help you to create a well-structured post that adds value to your readers.
To conduct comprehensive research, you should start by identifying reputable sources to draw information. These may include academic journals, industry publications, books, and reliable websites. You should also consider conducting interviews with experts in the field to obtain unique insights and perspectives on your topic.
For instance, if you’re writing a post on how to increase website conversions, you could research the different 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 that have successfully increased 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. By aligning your content with your readers’ interests, you’ll be more likely to engage them and encourage them to share your post.
- Choose strategic keywords to use in your blog posts
Choosing strategic keywords is an essential part of any successful blog post. It’s important to research and finds keywords that are relevant to your topic and 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.”
- Create a brief and detailed outline of your blog posts
A good blog post is one that 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 ultimately save you time and effort, as it helps to 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 and will help ensure that you stay on topic throughout the writing process. Once you have identified the main points, you can then begin to brainstorm supporting evidence or examples that will help to 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 provide a clear statement of what the post will be about. The conclusion, on the other hand, should provide a summary of the main points and a clear call to action for the reader.
To make your outline more effective, consider using bullet points or numbering to break down each main point into smaller, more manageable sub-points. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you cover all the necessary information in your post.
Make sure you use subheadings to break up your post and keep it easy to read. This will make it easier for readers to skim and quickly find the information they are looking for.
Finally, refer back to your outline as you write to ensure that you don’t stray off-topic. This will help you stay focused, organized, and on track throughout the writing process.
- Use images to break up paragraphs
Using images in your blog posts is a great way to make your content more 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 images that are interesting, informative, and visually appealing.
There are several types of images you can use 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, while charts and graphs can be used to present data or statistics. Illustrations can 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 so that it loads quickly, and including relevant alt text and image titles for accessibility and SEO purposes.
- Vary sentence structure
Bullet points and numbered lists can make it easier for readers to scan and absorb the information in your blog post. They can help to break up large blocks of text, making the content more visually appealing and easier to read. Additionally, they provide a clear structure for your content, helping to keep your writing focused and organized.
When using bullet points and lists, it’s important to keep them concise and to the point. Each point should be a brief summary of 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.
- Write readable text in active voice
Use language that is easy to read and understand. Avoid using jargon or technical language that might be difficult for the average reader to understand. Instead, focus on writing clear, readable sentences in 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, “The cat chased the mouse” is written in active voice, while “The mouse was chased by the cat” is written in passive voice. 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. This will help to make your blog post easier to read and more engaging for readers.
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!
- Don’t forget to add your original perspective
While it is important to do research and gather information on the topic you are writing about, it’s also crucial to inject your own unique perspective into the content. By putting your own spin on the topic, you are adding value and making it more interesting and engaging for your readers.
One way 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.
Another way to add your own spin is to challenge conventional thinking or offer a new perspective on a topic. This can be done 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.
Ultimately, providing originality in your blog posts is what 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!
In a nutshell, 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 usually 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 result in increased 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 services 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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BLOGGING FAQs
What is the best blogging platform?
The answer to this question will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Some of the most popular blogging platforms include WordPress, Blogger, Wix, Squarespace, Ghost, Medium, Tumblr, and Typepad. Each platform has its own unique features that may be better suited to certain types of blogs. Do your research to find the best one for you.
What is the ideal blog post length?
The ideal blog post length will vary depending on your goal and the topic you are writing about. Generally, it is recommended that short posts should be at least 500 words in order to provide comprehensive coverage of a topic and increase engagement. However, for posts that are aiming to rank on Google, the ideal length is usually around 2000–3000 words.
What is the 80/20 rule in blogging?
The 80/20 rule in blogging states that 80% of your content should focus on providing value to your readers and 20% should be used for promotional activities. This means that the majority of blog posts should provide useful information and resources, while a small portion can be used for self-promotion or advertising. Adhering to this rule will help to build trust with your readers and keep them coming back for more.
What are the don'ts of blogging?
When it comes to blogging, there are some common mistakes or “don’ts” that you should always avoid. These include not proofreading your content, using too many adverts or promotions, copying other people’s content without permission, posting irrelevant content, and promoting yourself too much.
Why do many bloggers fail?
Many bloggers fail because they lack consistency. If you want to succeed at blogging, it is important to be consistent with your posts and content. This will help build trust with your readers and increase engagement over time. Additionally, many bloggers neglect to optimize their blog for SEO or use effective promotional techniques, which can be instrumental in driving organic website traffic.
