Size Does Matter: Finding the Sweet Spot for Blog Post Length in SEO

Intro

In the vast world of digital content creation, there is a big question that many content creators struggle with: how long should your blog posts take to perform well in search engine rankings?

Some believe that short and sweet is the way to go, while others argue that long and comprehensive is better. In this guide at Rank Tracker, we will delve into the importance of blog post length for SEO purposes.

The Role of Content-Length in SEO

Before we delve into the specifics of blog post length, let's first understand why it matters in the realm of SEO.

Search engines like Google strive to deliver the most relevant and authoritative content to users' queries. In determining relevance and authority, one of the factors they consider is the depth and comprehensiveness of the content Articles that are longer and more detailed tend to provide more value to readers. They help cover topics in greater depth and answer more related questions. As a result, they often rank higher in search engine results pages (a.k.a. SERPs) and attract more organic traffic.

What is Short-form and Long-form Content?

Short-Form Content

Short-form content in SEO refers to content that ranges from 300 to 600 words. This length is considered appropriate to communicate basic information while still being concise for readers. However, it's crucial to remember that the ideal length can vary depending on the topic, industry, and audience preferences.

Some SEO experts suggest that short-form content can still be effective if it delivers value and provides answers to questions, even if it's shorter than the usual range. Ultimately, the goal is to create relevant and engaging content for a target audience.

Pros:

• Short posts are quick to read and may be more suitable for topics that don't require extensive explanation or analysis.
• They also allow for a higher frequency of publication which can be beneficial for keeping your blog fresh and active.

Cons:

• Short posts may struggle to provide the depth and detail that some users prefer.

Long-Form Content:

Long-form content in SEO typically refers to written content that is longer than 1,000 words. There is no set ideal length for content, as it depends on factors such as subject matter, audience preferences, and specific goals. Some long-form content may range from 1,000 to 2,000 words. While others can exceed 2,000 words and even approach 5,000 words or more.

Pros:

• Long blog posts have the space to explore topics in greater depth to provide comprehensive answers to complex questions.
• They also tend to attract more social shares which are important signals of quality and relevance to search engines.

Cons:

• Long-form content requires more time and effort to create and there is always the risk of losing readers' interest if the content becomes too meandering.

Analyzing SEO Best Practices Related To The Content-Length

So, what does the data say about the ideal blog post length for SEO? Numerous studies have attempted to answer this question, but the consensus seems to be that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Factors such as industry, audience preferences, and the specific goals of your content all play a role in determining the optimal length for your blog posts. However, some trends and patterns have emerged from the research.

For example, a study by Backlinko found that longer content tends to rank higher in Google search results, with the average first-page result containing over 1,800 words. Similarly, research by HubSpot found that longer blog posts (over 2,500 words) generate more organic traffic and inbound links than shorter posts. However, these findings should be taken with a grain of salt, as correlation does not necessarily imply causation. It's possible that longer posts perform better not because of their length per se, but because they tend to provide more value to readers and attract more backlinks and social shares as a result.

Finding the Sweet Spot: Determining Ideal Blog Post Length

Given the complexity and variability of factors influencing blog post length, how can you determine the sweet spot for your own content? Here are some useful tips to consider while determining the ideal length for a blog post:

5 Tips To Determine Ideal Blog Post Length

1. Know Your Audience:

Start by understanding the needs, preferences, and behavior patterns of your target audience. What types of content do they find most valuable? How much time are they willing to invest in reading your blog posts? By crafting your content to match your audience's expectations, you can guarantee that your posts will resonate with them and keep them engaged.

2. Conduct Keyword Research:

Keyword research is an essential component of SEO strategy. It helps you identify the topics that your audience is searching for. As you conduct keyword research, pay attention to the types of queries that are driving traffic to your site.

Match your content length with the intent behind the keywords you're targeting. This will help ensure that your blog posts are relevant and helpful to your readers.

3. Consider the Competition:

When analyzing the effectiveness of your content for your target keywords, it's important to take a look at the top-ranking pages on search engines. Check the length and depth of their content and see if it's mostly short or long in-depth guides. While it's not necessary to copy your competitors' content word for word. Just understand their approach to have an idea of what your audience is looking for.

4. Write the post and ensure its length:

Once you have a clear understanding of your audience, relevant keywords, and competitor strategies, you can start crafting your blog post. Begin by outlining the main points you want to cover and organizing your content in a structured and engaging way.

Once you've written the first draft, carefully review and edit it to eliminate any unnecessary information. Before publishing it, double-check the length of your post to ensure it meets the criteria you've set based on your research. In MS Word, check the post length (total words) at the bottom-left. For online checking, you can use tools like Sentence Counter. It provides an accurate word count of your blog post with an estimated reading time.

5. Test and Iterate:

Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different content lengths and formats to see what resonates best with your audience. Consider running A/B tests or publishing content of varying lengths and analyzing the performance metrics to identify patterns and trends. By continuously monitoring and adjusting your approach based on the feedback and data you collect, you can fine-tune your content strategy and maximize the impact of your blog posts on SEO.

Wrapping Up

The discussion on blog post length in SEO highlights the ongoing debate between short-form and long-form content. While both have their merits, the key lies in understanding your audience, conducting thorough keyword research, and analyzing competitor strategies.

The ideal blog post length varies depending on factors such as industry, topic complexity, and audience preferences. You must experiment and analyze data in order to find the sweet spot for your audience and maximize the SEO impact of your content.