When it comes to content marketing, few topics spark as much debate as the length of the “perfect” blog post. Some people swear by longer blog posts, arguing that more words mean more depth, more content for search engines to crawl, and a better overall user experience. Others believe that shorter, snappier content is the way to go, capturing attention quickly without overwhelming the reader. So, which is it? Let’s take a look at the facts and see if we can unravel this mystery.
The Numbers Behind Blog Post Length
Over the years, we’ve seen a trend emerge in content marketing that ties blog post length to SEO success. But before we dive into conclusions, let’s explore a few key statistics:
- The average first-page result on Google contains around 1,500 words. (Source: Backlinko)
- Content longer than 7,000 words tends to get more than 3 times the number of shares and links. (Source: MarketingCharts)
- The average blog post length has grown to over 1,400 words. (Source: OrbitMedia)
- Longer posts (around 2,000 words or more) tend to rank higher and show up more often in the top 10 results. (Source: CapsicumMediaworks)
- Surprisingly, shorter content can sometimes have a stronger correlation with first-page rankings, especially in the top five results. (Source: CognitiveSEO)
- There is a strong correlation between content length and the number of backlinks a post can attract. (Source: HubSpot)
- On the flip side, posts longer than 10,000 words can hurt rankings if they don’t address the searcher’s intent properly. (Source: SurferSEO)
However, here’s the kicker—content that’s too long can easily slip into the trap of fluff, where you’re stretching things out just for the sake of hitting a word count. And, as we know, no one likes reading unnecessary filler.
So, What’s the Ideal Length?
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the “perfect” blog post length. Several factors come into play, including your industry, search intent, website domain authority, and even how well your content meets user needs.
Industry Niche Matters
Different topics will demand different levels of detail. For example, a post explaining how to make a peanut butter sandwich might do just fine with 200 words, but a comprehensive guide on building a house from scratch? That’s going to take a lot more. So, understanding the depth of information needed to adequately address a topic is key to determining the right length.
Search Intent is Key
When creating content, it’s crucial to consider the intent behind the search. Some people want a quick answer, while others are looking for something more thorough. If you can provide the perfect balance between detail and brevity, you’re on the right track. And, yes, even short-form content can rank well if it perfectly matches the searcher’s intent.
Your Website’s Authority
Even if you produce a 3,000-word post packed with valuable insights, your website might struggle to rank if it doesn’t have a solid backlink profile or strong domain authority. This is why SEO is a mix of quality content and other factors like backlinks and site health.
Internal Linking Matters
Sometimes, a shorter post with lots of internal links can outrank a long one that’s isolated. These internal links show search engines that your content is well-connected, which can improve rankings.
Content Length and Google Rankings: What the Stats Show
Let’s break down some interesting trends in content length when it comes to Google rankings. According to a recent analysis, the average content length of the top 10 search results in Google is around 2,200 words. But here’s the thing: longer posts tend to get more shares, which is a good thing for SEO.
How Length Affects Page Views and Shares
Articles with under 1,000 words typically get around 3.47 shares and links, but as the word count increases, so does the number of shares. Posts between 1,000-2,000 words average 6.92 shares, and those with over 3,000 words see 11.07 shares on average. This suggests that, while short articles might get more immediate attention, long-form content tends to get bigger bursts of attention when it does get shared.
The Correlation Between Word Count and Backlinks
The data also shows a strong correlation between longer blog posts and the number of backlinks they acquire. This makes sense because detailed, well-researched content naturally attracts more links from other websites. But remember—just being long isn’t enough. You need to ensure that your content is high-quality, informative, and shareable.
So, What’s the Ideal Length?
The reality is that the ideal blog post length isn’t a simple number. Some topics demand depth and long-form content, while others are better served by quick, concise answers. Here’s the takeaway:
- User Intent Matters Most: If your post answers the query better than others, whether it’s 100 words or 10,000 words, you’ll rank better.
- Aim for Both: A balanced content strategy should include both short-form and long-form articles. Short content is great for answering specific questions quickly, while long-form content helps establish authority and drive more backlinks.
- Quality Over Quantity: While longer content can help with rankings, it won’t matter if it’s filled with fluff or irrelevant information. Always focus on the quality of the content first and foremost.
The Importance of Content Types
As important as length is, it’s not the only factor that drives engagement and SEO performance. The type of content you produce also plays a significant role. For instance, content types like listicles, how-to posts, videos, and quizzes tend to get more shares and links than plain articles.
This makes sense because these formats are highly engaging, visually appealing, and easy for readers to digest. Additionally, research-backed content or opinion-forming articles that are longer and well-written tend to attract more links, too.
If you want your content to perform well, don’t just focus on the word count—think about how you can format it to be engaging and shareable.
Promoting Your Content: Don’t Forget the Effort After Publishing
Here’s the hard truth: most content on the internet doesn’t get shared or linked to. According to studies, around 75% of content never gets shared, referenced, or linked to at all. So, no matter how well-written your blog post is, it’s not enough to just hit “publish.” You need to actively promote your content to make sure it gets seen by the right people.
Whether it’s through social media, email marketing, or outreach to other websites, promoting your content is crucial. The more you promote, the better chance your content has to get shared, build backlinks, and improve SEO rankings.
AI and Content Creation: A New Era
With tools like ChatGPT and other AI technologies on the rise, content creation is becoming easier, but that also means more competition. To stand out, you’ll need to focus on creating unique and creative content rather than just aiming for a certain word count. AI can certainly help with writing, but it’s your unique approach to the topic that will make your content shine in a crowded online space.
Final Takes: The Perfect Blog Post Length? It Depends!
In 2024, the ideal blog post length for SEO isn’t about simply hitting a magic number. Instead, it’s about understanding the purpose of your content, the search intent behind the queries you’re targeting, and the quality of the information you’re providing.
Whether you’re writing short, punchy posts or long, comprehensive articles, make sure your content is valuable, easy to read, and thoroughly answers the questions your audience is asking. Use both short and long-form content as part of a balanced strategy, and always focus on quality over quantity.
And remember, once your content is live, the real work begins—promote it, engage with your audience, and watch it grow. If done right, your content can help you earn backlinks, build authority, and improve your search engine rankings—regardless of length.