How Long Should a Blog Post Be? Ignore These 5 Myths That Are Killing Your Traffic

When I initially started blogging, I was continually pummeled with recommendations about the ideal blog post length. Some said short and sweet, while others advocated for long-form content. I spent endless hours modifying and testing, only to discover that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, there are some illusions concerning blog post length that, if believed, can severely affect your visitors. Today, I’ll dispel these beliefs using statistics and insights that go beyond the typical advice. Let’s dive in and discover the truth regarding blog post length, supported by my personal experiences and some startling data.

Key Takeaways

No set word count determines the optimal length for each blog post; it fluctuates.
Aim for at least 1,000-1,500 words to provide the required background and information.
The average word count of the top-ranked pages might be used as a standard.
Long blog entries give value to readers by answering all relevant questions about a topic.
Longer postings are more likely to be read and shared on social media.

Factors that Determine The Length of Blog Posts

Many factors can affect the quality and reach of a blog post. We’ve highlighted some of the most prevalent factors influencing the length of a blog post:

#1. The Niche or Industry You’re Targeting

Some marketplaces may demand more explanatory material, while others do not.

#2. Buyer Persona

What type of information do they prefer to read? What would they be looking for at their current professional level? Do they favor short or long texts?

#3. Stage in the Buyer’s Journey

Some material is more effective than others at each stage of the buyer’s journey.
Shorter blog entries, for example, are more appropriate at the awareness stage, near the top of the funnel. Longer blog entries, on the other hand, can be quite useful during the decision-making process.

#4. Search intent

Users’ search intent necessitates a methodical approach to content creation as well as a thorough understanding of how customers think and what motivates them to act.
Maybe their goal with a search is to read a 3000-word text; perhaps they have a question that can be answered in a few paragraphs.

#5. Keywords

Keywords can determine the length of a blog post.
It is nearly impossible to rank high for the term “digital marketing” in a short piece of content. However, if your keyword is something particular, such as “What is a URL sug”, a 1000-word post is sufficient.

How Long Should a Blog Post Be

A blog post is only one sort of content. There are general rules for how long online content should be, ranging from website text to social media updates. Here’s a handy reference to the optimal number of words for each sort of material that you may use in your content development planning:

Press Release: A simple announcement that uses a standard template to communicate in a clean, simple way
- 400-700 words

Read Also: How to Write a Good Restaurant Press Release (My Templates)

Update Articles: Short blog posts updating readers about a single issue, such as a policy change
- 400-600 words
News Articles: Educational posts that update readers on things like industry news or new developments
- 600-1,000 words
Use Cases: In-depth stories about the successes customers have achieved with the help of your business
- 500-1,500 words
Informational Blogs: The best blogs for SEO, and typically what digital marketers think about when they discuss blogs
- 1,000-1,500 words
Guides and How-Tos: Detailed handbooks that establish thought leadership and authority in specific areas
- 1,500-2,500 words
Pillar Pages: Also known as 10x content, these are long-form pages that establish foundational content for your business.
- 3,000+ words

500-word Blog Posts

There is a huge frequency of 500-word blog entries on the internet because they are an excellent marketing strategy for new businesses and brands, as well as brands that want to provide solutions to specific questions.

This blog post length also provides solutions to more basic and simple inquiries (such as “Is bold text good for SEO?”).
While 500-word blog posts have a lower search traffic, they are also less competitive, which can be beneficial to brands.

Some businesses utilize a 500-word blog post to promote their brand’s history, mission, goals, and products and services.
Others may focus on specific keywords or develop a more localized SEO approach.

A blog post of that length does not need to reinvent the wheel; rather, it should act as brand reinforcement and a unique approach to communicating with its audience.

1000 Word Blog Posts

It is critical to be thorough, and this cannot always be accomplished in a 500-word blog.
The 1000-word blog post answers simple inquiries that require more depth (for example, “Big Data for freelancers: know the apps that can help you”).

A blog length of 1000 words allows you to cite sources and go further into themes, further supporting your material.
This type of blog post provides you more authority. Writers can delve further into research and thought leadership resources that support their mission.

Often, keywords in a 1000-word blog post would not have worked with only 500 words.
Marketers and companies can use this length to provide technical material that has been tailored to specific personas.

2000-Word Blog Posts

When your brand requires comprehensive, in-depth, and extensive information, a 2000-word blog post is the best length.
This blog post length allows you to cover all facets of the subject and guarantee that you answer your readers’ search intent.

When you search for “how long should a blog post be for SEO”, you’ll notice that long-form blog posts perform better.
With so much stuff available online, customers are inundated with information that promises to be reliable. Long-form content can help you outperform your competitors and rank higher in the SERPs.

However, it is also a method to demonstrate your expertise and produce material that helps your readers develop trust in your brand.
The best content generated at this length should provide significant value in terms of research, facts, and analysis.

For example, “What is SEO?” is a popular search topic with highly sought-after keywords.
This topic requires a long-form post to cover it thoroughly and provide quality, “well-keyworded” material that will rank higher in the SERPs.

Posts of this length may include a guide or extensive lists and are frequently accompanied by a linked menu for ease of navigation and improved user experience.
Keep in mind that the reader does not want to have to work too hard, especially considering the length of the blog post.

If you want your readers to stick with you for the entire length of a long-form post, make sure your content is of the highest quality. Second, your text should be easy to read, with lots of white space, bullet points, subheadings, and high-quality photos to break things up.

5 Myths About Blog Post Length That Is Killing Your Traffic

Myth 1: Short posts always perform better

One of the most common misconceptions is that shorter postings are usually preferable because people have short attention spans. While attention spans are shorter, this does not necessarily imply that shorter is better. HubSpot found that blog entries with more than 2,000 words rank higher in search engines. Longer posts add content, and depth, and are frequently perceived as more authoritative.

When I began producing longer content, I observed a substantial improvement in my blog’s search engine rankings and general traffic. People spent more time on my website, engaged with the content, and shared it more often.

Write longer posts if the topic demands it. Focus on offering overall value.

Myth 2: All posts should have the same length

Another prevalent myth is that all blog posts should have the same length. This uniform approach can make your blog feel monotonous and does not appeal to your audience’s diverse interests. According to Orbit Media, the optimum blog post length varies greatly based on the topic and the audience’s requirements.

Example: If you’re publishing a fast news update, a shorter post may suffice. However, a comprehensive guide to a complex subject should be lengthier and more detailed.

Change the length of your blog entries depending on the topic and the value you need to deliver.

Myth #3: Long posts will lose reader interest

There is concern that long postings would lose reader interest. However, if your content is interesting and valuable, readers will stay. According to a Medium study, the ideal length for a blog post is about 7 minutes of reading time or approximately 1,600 words. People are willing to spend time reading larger pieces of content if they believe it is worthwhile.

I used to fear that writing longer posts might turn readers off. However, by focusing on storytelling, dividing up the text with subheadings, and including graphics, I kept my readers interested from beginning to end.

Keep your content intriguing, well-structured, and visually appealing to keep readers interested in lengthy postings.

Read Also: I Doubled My Traffic Overnight By Using This Curated Content Hack

Myth #4: SEO Favors Longer Posts

While lengthier content can perform better in search engines, SEO is more than just word count. Quality, relevance, and user engagement are important considerations. Google’s own rules state that material should suit the needs of the user query, regardless of length. Shorter, high-quality posts can also do well if they adequately address the user’s query.

A well-optimized 800-word post that explicitly addresses a frequent topic can rank equally as high as a longer post if it is relevant and interesting.

Key Takeaway: Create high-quality material that effectively responds to user queries, regardless of length.

Myth #5: All long posts are high-quality

A long post does not imply that it is of great quality. Filling a post with fluff to meet a word count can be counterproductive. Backlinko found that extensive, well-researched, and in-depth posts tend to rank higher. The key is depth and worth, not simply length.

I previously published a 3,000-word post to improve my SEO, but it was crammed with superfluous material. It didn’t work properly because it wasn’t actually useful. After focusing on quality and relevancy, my pieces received more engagement and ranks.

Make sure your long postings contain useful, well-researched information, not just filler.

Read Also: How To Humanize AI Content: Tricks for Adding Personality and Engagement

How to Write a Long-Formed Blog Post

If you’re used to writing short blog articles, creating a 1000+ word post may appear difficult.
You might be wondering how long it takes to compose a post of roughly 1000 words.
Everything depends on your experience and the keyword you’re writing about.

If you’re new to blogging and unfamiliar with the topic, writing a 1000-word blog post could take you 3-4 hours or longer. However, if you’re an experienced writer and an expert on the subject, you may complete a 1000+ word blog post in an hour.
To improve your writing speed, consider these tips:

Doing all of your research before you begin writing.
Create a clear outline to help you.
Turning off phone notifications might help remove distractions.
Drafting your blog post on Google Docs rather than immediately in WordPress.

However, it is not all about achieving the word count and creating your piece as quickly as possible. It is also highly crucial to handle the following factors:

#1. Readability

Your blog content must be easy to read for users. But the longer your blog post, the more difficult it is to keep your readers interested, and no one wants to read it. To improve the readability of your blog articles, keep your sentences short, use fewer phrases in each paragraph, and use simple terms rather than tough ones.

#2. Uniqueness and usefulness

If your blog post has the identical content as every other post on the subject, Google has no incentive to display it to searchers on the first page. Do your study and make sure your blog post is unique.

#3. Accuracy and authority

Google favors well-researched and accurate articles, which are more likely to get links from other bloggers. The more backlinks your blog post receives, Google will recognize your site’s authority on the subject.

#4. Promotion method

It is pointless to spend days (or even weeks!) crafting a fantastic long-form piece if it is not read by anyone. Learning how to market a blog post is equally vital as learning how to write one.
If you can strike a balance between creating long, informative posts and knowing how to promote them successfully, you will be able to create a successful blog that will continue for many years.

The Importance of Templates in Optimizing Blog Post Length

Using a Blog Post Planning Template will help you format your material properly, ensuring that you cover all of the important elements without adding unneeded fluff. This template helped me stay focused and give constant value, which improved the performance of my blog.

Ready to streamline your blog post creation process and ensure your content is optimized for success? Download our comprehensive Blog Post Planning Template now to start crafting engaging, SEO-friendly blog posts that resonate with your audience and drive traffic to your site.

Lamphills-Blog-Post-Planning-TemplateDownload

Conclusion

Understanding the myths around blog post length might help you improve your content strategy and increase visitors. Focusing on quality, relevance, and audience interaction allows you to develop content that performs effectively regardless of length. Have you been struggling to discover the ideal blog post length? Which tactics have you found to be effective? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments section.