When it comes to blogging, one of the biggest questions that bloggers face is how long a blog post should be. Some argue that shorter posts are more easily digestible and more likely to hold the reader’s attention, while others argue that Longer posts provide more value and are more likely to rank well in search engine results.

So, what is the ideal Length for a blog post? The answer is, it depends. One of the essential blogging best practices is to strike a balance between providing valuable information and maintaining a reasonable post length for the reader’s convenience. The ideal length for a blog post will vary depending on your audience, your topic, and your goals. In this article, we will take a closer look at the factors that can impact the ideal length for a blog post and provide some guidelines to help you determine the best length for your own blog posts.

We will examine the impact of blog post length on engagement, shares, backlinks, and search engine rankings. We will also discuss the pros and cons of short vs long blog posts and how to determine the best blog post length for your content.

Why does blog post length matter?

First, it’s essential to understand the impact of blog post length and word count on your blog’s success. From SEO to reader engagement, the length of your blog posts can play a significant role in determining the success of your blog. In this section, we will explore the various reasons why bloggers should pay attention to blog post length and word count and how it can affect the overall performance of their blog.

Blog post length is important for a variety of reasons.

Blog post word count impacts SEO

First, search engines like Google take into account the length of a blog post when determining its relevance and ranking. Longer Posts are generally seen as more comprehensive and in-depth, and therefore more valuable to readers. This can lead to higher rankings in search results, which in turn can lead to more traffic to your blog.

A study by SerpIQ found that the average word count of the top 10 search results for a given query is over 2,000 words. This suggests that longer articles tend to be more comprehensive and in-depth, which can make them more relevant to search engines, and therefore more likely to rank well in search results.

Blog post length affects reader engagement

Blog post length can affect the engagement and retention of your readers. Longer posts tend to keep readers on your site for longer periods of time, which can lead to more shares and comments on your post.

For example, a study by Moz found that longer blog posts are much more likely to get shared on social media. An analysis of 489,128 blog posts of various lengths showed that blog posts with 3,000 words or more got shared twice more frequently compared to shorter blog posts under 1,000 words.

Additionally, longer posts can be more likely to encourage readers to subscribe to your blog or follow you on social media, which can help to build a loyal readership over time.

Long in-depth blog posts can help establish credibility

Blog post length can also have an impact on the overall credibility and authority of your blog. Longer posts that are well-researched and well-written are often seen as more trustworthy and authoritative than shorter posts. This can help to establish your blog as a go-to source for information in your niche, which can lead to more opportunities for monetization and growth.

Despite the importance of blog post length, it’s important to note that quality is always more important than quantity. A longer post that is poorly written or lacks valuable information is less likely to be successful than a shorter post that is well-written and informative. Therefore, bloggers should focus on creating high-quality content that is both engaging and informative, regardless of its length.

How long should a blog post be?

A rule of thumb for blog post length is to aim for a minimum of 1,500 words or more.

Based on studies and general guidelines, it is commonly suggested that longer posts tend to perform better in terms of SEO. The idea is that longer articles tend to be more comprehensive, in-depth, and provide more value to the readers, which can make them more relevant to search engines and therefore more likely to rank well in search results.

Ideal blog post length in 2023

The ideal length for a blog post depends on the topic, purpose, and audience of the post. However, some general guidelines suggest that:

• Posts between 1,500 and 2,000 words tend to be considered “long-form” content, and are typically considered to be more comprehensive and in-depth than shorter posts. This length is ideal for in-depth guides, how-to’s, and in-depth analysis of a topic.
• Posts between 500 and 1,000 words are considered “medium-form” content, and are typically considered to be a good balance between length and readability. This length is ideal for news, opinions, and in-depth analysis of a topic.
• Posts under 500 words are considered “short-form” content, and are typically considered to be more digestible and easily consumable. This length is ideal for quick tips, lists, and short-form content.

It’s worth noting that these are general guidelines and that the ideal length for a blog post can vary. For example, a tutorial post that requires detailed instructions would benefit from a longer format, while a news post, on the other hand, should be shorter and straight to the point. Therefore, it’s important to consider the purpose of the post and the audience you’re writing for when determining the ideal length of a blog post.

Minimum blog post length for SEO

There is no set minimum length for a blog post in terms of SEO. However, if you want to write SEO-friendly blog posts, it’s generally recommended that you aim for at least 300-500 words to ensure that your post is comprehensive enough to cover the topic you’re discussing and provide value to the readers. Additionally, having a minimum of 300 words will also make it more likely that the search engines will be able to understand the main topic and purpose of the post, and therefore be more likely to rank it.

However, it’s important to note that the ideal length of a blog post for SEO can vary depending on the topic and the competition for the keywords that you are targeting. For some keywords, longer articles with more than 2,000 words may be necessary to rank well in search results, while for others, a shorter article with 300-500 words may be sufficient.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to make sure that the content is high-quality, informative, and engaging, and that it provides a positive user experience. While the length of the post is important for SEO, it’s not the only factor that search engines take into account when ranking pages. It’s also important to make sure that the post is well-written, well-researched, and optimized for your targeted keywords, as well as that it’s properly structured and easy to read.

Short vs long blog posts

Blog posts can range from short, quick-hit pieces to in-depth, long-form articles. While the recommended word count is 1,500 words or more, shorter blog posts have their benefits as well.

Pros of short blog posts (500-1000 words):

• Short blog posts are easy to read and consume, which can make them more engaging for readers with shorter attention spans.
• They can be quicker and easier to write, which can save time for bloggers.
• They can be more appropriate for news-style posts or quick-hit pieces that are meant to be easily digestible.

Cons of short blog posts (500-1000 words):

• Short blog posts may not provide as much value as longer posts, making it harder to establish authority and credibility on a topic.
• They may not be as effective for SEO, as they may not have enough content to be considered comprehensive and in-depth by search engines.
• They may not be able to cover a topic as thoroughly, which can limit the potential for engagement and retention.

Pros of long blog posts (1000-3000 words):

• Long blog posts tend to be more comprehensive and in-depth, which can make them more valuable to readers and search engines.
• They can establish authority and credibility on a topic, which can increase engagement and retention.
• They can be more effective for SEO, as they tend to be more comprehensive and in-depth, and therefore more likely to rank well in search results.

Cons of long blog posts (1000-3000 words):

• Long blog posts can be more difficult to read and consume, which can make them less engaging for readers with shorter attention spans.
• They can be more time-consuming to write, which can be a disadvantage for bloggers with limited time.
• They may not be as appropriate for news-style posts or quick-hit pieces, as they may not be as easily digestible.

Studies and stats about the ideal word count for blog posts

When it comes to determining the ideal length for a blog post, it can be helpful to look at studies and statistics that have been conducted on the topic. These studies provide insight into how different lengths of blog posts perform in terms of things like engagement, shares, backlinks, and search engine rankings.

• A study by Buzzsumo found that articles with a word count of 3,000+ received the most social shares on average.
• A study by Medium found that articles with a reading time of 7+ minutes received the most claps on the platform.
• A study by Moz found that longer content tends to receive more backlinks than shorter posts.
• A study by SerpIQ found that the average word count of the top 10 search results for a given query is over 2,000 words.
• According to a study by Orbit Media, the average length of blog posts has increased from around 600 words in 2014 to over 1,000 words in 2018.
• According to a study by Content Marketing Institute, long-form content (articles over 1,500 words) generates 9x more leads than short-form content (articles under 1,500 words)
• According to a study by Forbes, long-form content is shared more often on social media than short-form content.
• According to a study by CoSchedule, long-form content typically receives more shares, links, and comments.
• According to a study by QuickSprout, long-form content receives an average of 77.2% more links.
• According to a study by SEMrush, longer articles tend to rank higher on Google for long-tail keywords, as they provide more context and information on the topic.

Please note that these are just a sample of studies and statistics available and it’s important to keep in mind that these studies tend to come from the content marketing industry and the results may not be generalizable to other industries.

How to determine the best blog post length

Determining the best blog post length can depend on several factors. Here are a few questions to consider when determining the word count you should aim for.

Which goal are you looking to achieve?

When determining the best blog post length, it’s important to consider your goals for the post. Different goals can have different requirements when it comes to the length of your blog post. Here are a few examples of goals that can impact the recommended blog post length:

• Organic ranking: If your goal is to rank well in search engine results, a longer post may be more appropriate. According to a study by SerpIQ, the average word count of the top 10 search results for a given query is over 2,000 words. This suggests that longer articles tend to be more comprehensive and in-depth, which can make them more relevant to search engines, and therefore more likely to rank well in search results. Additionally, a study by Moz found that longer content tends to receive more backlinks than shorter content, which can help to boost the visibility and rankings of your post.
• Lead generation: If your goal is to generate leads, longer posts may be more appropriate. According to a study by Content Marketing Institute, long-form content (articles over 1,500 words) generates 9x more leads than short-form content (articles under 1,500 words). Longer posts can provide more detailed information, making it more likely that readers will want to learn more about your product or service, which can increase the chances of them becoming a lead. Shorter posts can be effective as well, but with a different approach. Shorter posts can be used to provide a sneak peek or a teaser of a longer post or a product, piquing the readers’ interest and encouraging them to learn more.
• Social shares: If your goal is to increase social shares, longer posts may be more appropriate. According to a study by Buzzsumo, articles with a word count of 3,000 or more received the most social shares on average. Additionally, a study by Forbes found that long-form content is shared more often on social media than short-form content. Longer posts can provide more value to readers, making them more likely to share the post with their friends and followers.
• Comments: If your goal is to increase comments on your posts, longer posts may be more appropriate. Longer posts tend to be more comprehensive and in-depth, which can make them more engaging and thought-provoking for readers. They can also provide more opportunities for readers to ask questions or share their own thoughts and opinions, which can increase the chances of them leaving a comment.
• News-style posts: If your goal is to provide quick updates or news on a topic, shorter posts may be more appropriate. News-style posts should be straight to the point and provide the latest information on a topic in a brief and easy-to-digest format.
• Quick-hit pieces: If your goal is to provide a quick tip, trick, or piece of advice, shorter posts may be more appropriate. Quick-hit pieces should be easy to read and provide value in a brief and concise format.

How long are the competing blog posts that are currently ranking at the top?

When you are trying to rank for a specific keyword or topic, you will want to take into account what is currently ranking well in the search results. This can provide valuable insight into the type and length of content that search engines consider to be relevant and authoritative for that keyword or topic.

Here are a few reasons why considering the length of competing blog posts is important:

• It can give you an idea of the minimum length that is typically required to rank well for a specific keyword or topic. If you notice that most of the top-ranking posts for a specific keyword are at least 2,000 words, you’ll know that you’ll need to create a post that is at least that long to have a chance at ranking well.
• It can also give you an idea of the ideal length that is typically required to rank well for a specific keyword or topic. For example, you may notice that the top-ranking posts for a specific keyword are all around 1,500 words. This can give you an idea of the ideal length for your post to rank well.
• It can provide you with an idea of what type of content is currently ranking well for a specific keyword or topic. This can include things like the level of detail, the use of images and videos, the use of headings, and the overall format of the post.
• It can also help you identify what types of information and angles are missing from the existing content on the topic, giving you an opportunity to create a unique and valuable piece of content for your audience.

Who is the audience you’re writing for?

Understanding your audience is one of the most important steps when determining the best blog post length. If your audience tends to have shorter attention spans, shorter posts may be more appropriate. If your audience is more interested in in-depth analysis and comprehensive information, longer posts may be more appropriate.

For example, if your audience is made up of busy professionals with limited time, shorter posts may be more appropriate. These readers may not have the time or inclination to read longer, in-depth articles, and may prefer shorter, more easily digestible posts that they can quickly scan and consume.

If your audience is made up of hobbyists or enthusiasts, the best length may vary depending on the topic. For example, a post on a technical topic such as photography or gardening may require a longer format to provide detailed instructions and explanations. On the other hand, a post on a more light-hearted topic such as travel or food may be more suited to a shorter format.

Conclusion

Sure, here are a few paragraphs for a conclusion to an article about how long a blog post should be:

In conclusion, determining the ideal length for a blog post is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It depends on the audience, the topic, and the goals of the post. The key is to understand that different types of content and different lengths will work for different audiences. It’s important to focus on your target audience and their preferences.

When it comes to blog post length, it’s important to remember that quality is more important than quantity. A shorter post can be just as valuable as a longer post if it provides value, useful information and a good user experience. The same goes for a longer post, it’s important that it’s not just filled with fluff, but with comprehensive and valuable information.

In the end, it’s important to experiment with different post lengths and see what works best for your audience and goals. Use analytics tools to track engagement and make data-driven decisions about the ideal length for your blog posts. By understanding the ideal length for your blog post, you can create more effective and engaging content that can help you achieve your goals.