As a blogger (or if your business has a blog), you already know that creating engaging and valuable content is critical to building a loyal readership and growing your online presence. However, the question that troubles most bloggers is, “How long should my blog posts be?”
The answer is complex and can vary depending on multiple factors, such as the type of content you create, your target audience, and, most importantly, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) considerations.
But don’t worry; we have a simple SEO trick that can help you determine the ideal length of your blog post. Bloggers who use this trick see an increase in the number of readers, an improvement in their search rankings, and, ultimately, a boost in their online engagement.
So, if you want to create blog posts that meet your audience’s needs and rank higher on Google, keep reading and learn more about this easy SEO trick!
How Long Should Blog Posts Be?
For SEO purposes, a blog post should ideally be (at least) 300 words long, even to be considered the “bare minimum.” This is because search engines like Google need enough content to understand what your post is about and how it should be indexed.
In previous years, 300–600 words were considered a general standard. But times (and algorithms) change, and today, a 300-word blog post most likely won’t provide enough value to your readers or cover a topic in enough depth, which can impact reader engagement and sharing. Anything less than 300 words is still considered “thin content,” and doesn’t rank in comparison to longer blog posts.
On the other hand, blog posts that are around 1500 to 1700 words long generally hit the sweet spot. They are long enough to provide comprehensive coverage of a topic and short enough to keep readers engaged without overwhelming them (more on this later). These posts also have enough content for search engines to understand their relevance, helping your post rank well for target keywords.
The “true” ideal blog post length
What if you’re operating in a niche where deep dives, tutorials, or highly technical explanations are the norm? That’s where longer blog posts come in, ranging from 1750 to 4000 words. These posts allow you to cover complex topics in great detail, establishing your authority and expertise.
Readers in these niches often expect and appreciate this level of detail, and search engines favor in-depth, well-structured content, meaning these longer posts might rank higher (if your SEO is on point).
Remember, the length of your blog post should ultimately be dictated by your audience’s needs and the topic’s complexity. Aiming for a specific word count range can help guide your writing, but it shouldn’t limit your ability to create valuable, engaging content.
What’s The SEO Trick?
The simple SEO trick is to use ‘long-tail keywords’ in your content. Seriously, that’s the trick!
Long-tail keywords are usually three- to four-word phrases that are specific to your product or service. These phrases have lower search volumes but are more specific and targeted to a particular niche or topic. They’re highly valuable for SEO because they’re more likely to draw in qualified organic traffic.
Incorporating these long-tail keywords into your blog posts helps search engines understand the content better, and at the same time, it also aligns with the user’s search intent. Despite being low in search volume, these keywords are typically associated with higher conversion rates.
Therefore, The trick is to identify and integrate these specific phrases naturally into your content, ensuring that your blog posts are reader-friendly and SEO-friendly.
This SEO trick simplifies the process of optimizing your blog posts, making it less dependent on the length of content. By focusing on long-tail keywords, you cater to specific user queries and improve your chances of being found by the right audience. It’s about relevance, not just volume.
However, while this strategy can help optimize your content regardless of length, it doesn’t negate the benefits of long-form blog posts. Long articles allow for more detailed, comprehensive coverage of a topic, which can boost your authority and credibility in your field. It also provides ample opportunities for incorporating these long-tail keywords naturally within your content without appearing robotic or using black-hat SEO tactics like “keyword stuffing.”
Hence, while optimizing for long-tail keywords, it’s wise to balance this with creating in-depth, high-quality content to reap the benefits of both strategies. So again, how long should a piece of content really be?
Determining The Ideal Length of a Blog Post
Determining the average word count that works best for your blog posts per your niche requires investigative work and analysis.
Here’s how you can go about it:
- Analyze top-performing content in your niche: Use SEO tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to find the top-ranking content for your target keywords in your niche. Then, look at the word count of these blog posts. This will give you an idea of the average length of posts performing well in your niche.
- Look at reader engagement: Assess your blog posts’ comments, shares, and overall engagement. Often, longer posts that comprehensively cover a topic or subject matter will receive more engagement. But this isn’t always the case if your audience prefers shorter articles and content, which will be reflected in your engagement metrics.
- Experiment and observe: Try creating blog posts of varying lengths and tracking their performance over time. This can help you see what your particular audience prefers regarding post length.
By taking these steps, you can start to understand the “ideal” blog post length for your specific niche.
Remember, though, that quality should always be your primary focus. Length is just one factor among many that can influence your blog’s performance.
Should I worry about audience retention?
Yes, technically, but in reality, it’s more complex than that.
The amount of time users stay on your blog post is an important metric because it indicates the relevance and quality of your content. If readers find your post valuable, they’ll stick around and read to the end (even with a short attention span). But they’ll click away quickly if it doesn’t provide any value or is boring/confusing.
Search engines also consider audience retention, as it helps them understand the user experience of a page. So, if your post is engaging from start to finish and doesn’t drive people away, you’ll score higher in search engine rankings.
That said, you don’t need to worry too much about the length of your blog post for audience retention. Readers will hang around regardless of the post’s length if the content is high quality and relevant. While keeping your posts short is generally recommended for a better user experience, it shouldn’t be done at the expense of content quality.
At the end of the day, the optimal blog post length is “as long as needed to provide value.” If you can do that in 500 words, then great. But if your topic requires a higher word count, feel free to go for it. Focus on providing readers with quality content, and the length of your posts will take care of itself.
As long as you provide value and keep readers engaged throughout, you should have no problems keeping them around, regardless of post length. The key is to prioritize quality over quantity every time.
Additional Benefits of Long-Form Articles
Long-form articles offer a plethora of additional benefits that contribute significantly to your blog’s success. For starters, they tend to keep visitors on your page for longer periods. This not only indicates to search engines that your content is relevant and valuable, but it also increases the chances of visitors exploring other areas of your website, which boosts overall site engagement.
Moreover, comprehensive posts are more likely to be shared on social media platforms. When readers find a piece of content that thoroughly answers their questions or provides deep insights, they’re more inclined to share it with their network. This expands the reach of your written content and potentially attracts more visitors to your blog.
Another significant benefit of longer-form content is the increased potential for earning backlinks. Backlinks, links from other websites back to yours, are a major ranking factor for search engines. Other website owners are more likely to link to a comprehensive, in-depth post as it offers more value to their audience.
Thus, longer posts can help improve your website’s SEO, amplify your online presence, and boost your authority in your niche.
What if I don’t have time to write?
Creating high-quality, long-form content does require a significant investment of time and effort. As a business owner or professional, you may need help consistently producing rich, detailed content alongside your other responsibilities. Outsourcing may be the ideal solution if you’re in such a situation.
Employing professional writers, like the team at Sunrise Virtual Assistant Services, can help. These experienced professionals will take the time to understand your niche, audience, and specific content requirements. And, be able to craft engaging and relevant articles that resonate with your readers while optimizing for SEO.
This way, you can ensure a steady stream of high-quality content for your blog. All without having to dedicate extensive personal time and resources.
Main Points
There is no magic number for the ideal word count of blog articles. The ideal length of a blog post can vary depending on your audience, niche, and the complexity of your topic. That being said, the overarching principle is to prioritize quality and value above all.
Regardless of the content length of your blog posts, ensuring they are engaging, well-researched, and provide value to your readers is what truly matters.
If you’re finding it challenging to dedicate the required time and effort for longer articles or even shorter content, Sunrise Virtual Assistant Services is here to help. Our team of skilled writers and strategists can craft relevant, SEO-optimized, keyword research backed, high-quality content that resonates with your audience, freeing up your time to focus on other crucial aspects of your business.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for superior content creation and content strategy development. We’re committed to helping your brand thrive through the power of exceptional content.
