Whether you want to start a blog for your business or improve your current blog’s performance, one of the key things to consider is how long a blog post should be.
Business blogs can help you improve your website’s search engine optimization (SEO) metrics while also helping you build a core and dedicated following of customers. However, you must think carefully about how long each of your blog posts will be.
Blog post length can affect bounce rates, reader engagement, and SEO. But since every blog is different, your optimal blog post length may not be the same as other blogs.
Keep reading for a guide on how long a blog post should be.
What we’ll discuss:
- Why blog post length matters?
- Who is the audience you’re writing for?
- What is the goal of your blog post?
- What is the style of your blog?
- What is the standard in your industry?
- Writing high-quality blog posts that fit the ideal word length.
- What are the downsides of long-form blog posts?
- How to determine your blog post length in 5-steps?
- Best blogging platforms for you
Why blog post length matters?
Choosing an optimal blog post length comes with several benefits for your blog and your website.
One of the main reasons businesses begin blogs is to improve their performance on search engines by optimizing their website for Google’s algorithm. This process is called SEO, or search engine optimization.
Marketers tend to focus on keyword research and backlinks when it comes to SEO, but content length can also play a big part in signaling to Google that your blog post is better than the competition.
While SEO is an important part of blogging, a great blog post will consider its readership. Customers also care about blog post length.
Creating incredibly short posts may turn off readers who want a more in-depth exploration of the topic. On the other hand, posts that ramble on for thousands of words can become repetitive, dull, and unclear.
Because of how much your content length is tied to both SEO and reader satisfaction, you must think carefully about the length of your posts when you start a blog.
What is the ideal blog post length for SEO?
While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all ideal blog post length for SEO, as it can vary based on the topic and the intent of the content.
For example, you wouldn’t want to create a 1,200 word article answering the question “How tall was George Washington“.
You also wouldn’t want to create a 300 word article that you are promoting as “The ultimate guide to trading stocks, bonds, and mutual funds“.
Here’s a general guideline for different types of blog posts and the ideal length:
| Type of blog post | Ideal length for SEO |
| Short blog posts | 300 – 600 words |
| Standard blog posts | 700 – 1,000 words |
| In-depth blog posts | 1200+ words |
- Short blog posts: These are typically used for quick updates, news, or brief commentary. They can be effective for certain types of content but may not have as much impact on SEO.
- Standard blog posts: These are the most common and versatile blog post lengths. They offer enough space to provide valuable information, address a topic in reasonable depth, and incorporate relevant keywords.
- In-depth blog posts: For complex topics or comprehensive guides, longer posts are often better. They can provide more detailed information and demonstrate expertise in a subject. Longer content often ranks well in search engines.
Keep in mind that the quality of the content is just as important, if not more so, than the length. Search engines prioritize content that provides value, relevance, and a positive user experience. Therefore, it’s essential to focus on meeting the user’s intent and delivering high-quality information.
Who is the audience you’re writing for?
Understanding your target audience, focusing on the reader’s perspective, and grasping their intent are all valuable strategies for crafting blog posts of the right length. Place yourself in their shoes and consider the depth of information they seek and desire to obtain. This approach aids in selecting the optimal blog post length that aligns with your content.
Furthermore, it’s crucial to assess your audience’s level of expertise, whether they are novices or advanced in the subject matter. Their level of knowledge guides you in determining whether extensive background information is necessary before delving into the topic, how deeply you should explore the subject, and the word count required to convey your message effectively.
What is the goal of your blog post?
Your specific goals may mean that your ideal blog post length is different than the average we discussed.
How long a blog post should be if your goal writing blog posts is to engage with readers and create content that they will want to read:
- According to Medium, a blog’s success shouldn’t be based on the number of times a blog post is visited but rather on how long readers stick around to consume the content.
- If your blog post is more focused on building a strong community and a better relationship with your clients, user engagement will likely be your focus, too.
- Medium found that the ideal post should take roughly seven minutes to read. For most people, this will come to around 1,600 words.
How long a blog post should be if your goal is to create shareable content to improve your social media performance:
- A blog can be a wonderful way to create buzz around your social media accounts and improve your digital presence as a brand. For some digital marketers, this may be the main reason to start a blog.
- According to a Moz study, posts that range from 3,000-10,000 words in length tend to get the most shares, particularly on Facebook.
What is the style of your blog?
According to SEO expert Neil Patel, longer posts of over 1,000 words have become the standard for most bloggers. While bloggers in the past used to frequently write short blog posts of around 500 words, this has become less common.
Shorter posts may suit your needs and your subject matter better than longer articles. There are plenty of blog styles out there. If you write lighthearted personal posts, for instance, your word length might sometimes be much shorter than the “ideal” length we mentioned above.
Nevertheless, be sure to avoid posts that are less than 300 words, as this is considered “thin content.”
What is the standard in your industry?
Every industry is different, so the answer to “How long should a blog post be?” may vary for you.
In some industries, longer articles may be the norm, while other professions may thrive on shorter posts. This is usually because the complexity of the subject matter and the habits of readers can change from niche to niche.
As Neil Patel further notes, the business with the highest ideal word count is the sales industry, which generally prefers posts of 2,500-2,700 words. Blogs related to gadgets, on the other hand, tend to thrive with posts of just 300-500 words.
For most industries, however, the ideal blog post length tends to sit between 1,500 and 2,000 words.
Be sure to research your industry to ensure you’re following the relevant trends within it.
Writing high-quality blog posts that fit the ideal word length
Unless you work in a specific industry, chances are, the ideal blog post length for you is between 1,000 and 2,000 words. Blog posts of this length are usually considered long articles. Many people in the digital marketing industry might refer to articles of this length as “long-form.”
What is long form content?
Long-form content is typically at least 700 to 2,000 words — but it can be much, much longer. Unlike shorter posts, long posts give bloggers the chance to delve more deeply into a topic.
Not only do long-form posts promise to improve your SEO, but they also give you the opportunity to expand on your topic and offer quality as well as quantity to your readers.
What are the benefits of long form blog posts?
Besides the SEO benefits, long-form blog posts can:
- Keep your readers on your website for longer.
- Encourage social sharing.
- Start conversations.
- Improve your chances of building backlinks.
- Give your brand a more distinct voice.
What are the downsides of long-form blog posts?
- Time and effort: Creating long-form content is time-consuming and requires extensive research, writing, and editing. It may not be feasible for all content creators.
- Reader attention: Long-form content may overwhelm or discourage some readers, especially those looking for quick answers or concise information.
- High bounce rates: If not structured well, long-form content can result in higher bounce rates as readers might leave the page before engaging with the content.
- Load time: Longer articles with numerous images and multimedia elements can slow down page load times, affecting user experience and SEO.
- Limited sharing: Long-form content may be less shareable on social media platforms, as it may not fit the preferred length for sharing.
- Niche audience: Long-form content is more suitable for niche topics or industries with highly engaged and knowledgeable audiences. It may not be appropriate for all subject matters.
How to determine your blog post length in 5-steps?
Step 1: Define your goals
Clarify the purpose of your blog post. Are you informing, persuading, or educating your audience? Your goals will guide your content length.
Step 2: Know your audience
Understand your target readers. Consider their interests, expertise, and content preferences. Tailor your post length to their expectations.
Step 3: Research and competitor analysis
Research your topic and analyze similar content. Identify the average length of successful posts on the same subject.
Step 4: SEO and keywords
Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords and phrases. Longer, in-depth content tends to perform better for competitive keywords.
Step 5: Set minimum and maximum length
Based on your research, establish a range for word count (e.g., 800 to 1,500 words). Prioritize quality and adapt based on performance.
Best blogging platforms for you
Do you want to start a blog? Here are two popular platforms that make it easy to publish high-quality blog content without any coding knowledge.
- WordPress is one of the best blogging platforms available. With WordPress hosting from Bluehost, you will get with 24/7 support, professional themes, and help with useful plugins to optimize your blog.
- HubSpot has a blog tool that makes it easy to start a blog or multiple blogs on one subdomain.
Conclusion
The answer to “How long should a blog post be?” isn’t always an easy one. The ideal post length can depend on several factors, including your business goals and your industry.
For SEO purposes, we recommend sticking with posts that fall somewhere between 1,600 and 2,000 words.
At Bluehost, we offer high-quality professional marketing services so you can get your website or blog up and running in no time. Whether you are just getting started and need to register a domain name, or you’re ready to get blogging today, we can help!
FAQs about blog post length
Aim for blog posts around 1,500 to 2,500 words. This length provides sufficient space to explore topics in-depth, capture reader interest, and satisfy search engine algorithms for better visibility.
Yes, complex subjects may require longer posts, while simpler topics can be covered effectively in shorter posts. Tailor length to provide comprehensive information without unnecessary padding.
Shorter blog posts are more shareable on platforms like Twitter, while longer posts with valuable insights garner attention on Facebook and LinkedIn. Shareability depends on platform dynamics and content quality.
Yes, concise blog posts can offer quick insights, solve specific problems, and engage readers effectively. Prioritize providing valuable information regardless of post length.
Absolutely, striking a balance between informative content and reader engagement is crucial. Longer posts need engaging formatting, subheadings, and visual elements to keep readers interested.
Long-form posts often rank well in search results and provide comprehensive value. However, user engagement also depends on content relevance, clarity, and addressing readers’ needs.
