How Long Should Your Blog Post Be for SEO in 2024?

How Long Should Your Blog Post Be for SEO in 2024?

When it comes to optimizing your blog posts for SEO, determining the ideal length isn’t a one-size-fits-all equation. The answer varies depending on a variety of factors specific to each individual post.

To understand why blog post length matters, let’s talk about Google. Google’s main goal is to rank websites that provide valuable content matching users’ search queries. So, the length of your blog post is crucial  — it needs to satisfy what users are looking for.

As a rule of thumb, aim for at least 600 words. Google tends to favor posts that meet this minimum length because they’re more likely to offer substantial information.

But figuring out the perfect length requires some effort. In today’s article we’ll guide you through the process!

What exactly is the ideal length, though? It’s not as simple as a number. The real question is: how do you know when it’s too short or too long?

Consider this scenario: someone searching for “what is the number of States in the USA” likely wants a quick, direct answer — nothing too extensive. On the other hand, a search like “the history of the 50 American states since their foundation” demands a more detailed exploration, easily exceeding 1,000 words to cover all aspects comprehensively.

Now, let’s determine the length of your blog:

1. Understanding user intent: Start by understanding what your users are looking for. Search your topic on Google and see what type of content appears. This gives you a blueprint of what Google considers effective. Including related questions can also enrich your post and keep readers engaged;
2. Competitor analysis: Google ranks your blog against others. Analyze the top results for your target keyword. If most are around 1,000 words, you might get away with a shorter post. But if competitors are hitting 5,000 words, prepare for a more extensive write-up. Longer posts generally offer more comprehensive insights, but beware of overwhelming your readers;
3. Offering valuable content: SEO experts often recommend writing more than your competitors to ensure your post stands out. However, avoid padding your content just to increase word count. Quality matters — your goal should always be to provide helpful, relevant information;
4. Reader engagement: Long posts can be a double-edged sword — they can be informative but risk losing reader interest if not structured well. Before embarking on a marathon post, ask yourself: does this search query need such depth? A 15,000-word guide on “how to choose a blog post length” might be excessive — you’d lose readers before they reach the end!

Quick steps to determine how long your blog post should be:

Finding the right length for your blog post can greatly impact its SEO success. Here’s how you can quickly determine the ideal length:

1. Identify your keywords: Start by identifying 3-5 keywords, including secondary ones. These keywords will guide your content and help you understand what users are searching for.

1. Understand user intent: What do users want to know when they search for your keywords? Are they looking for a quick answer or in-depth information? This will dictate how long your post should be.

1. Analyze competitor content: Take a look at the top-ranking blog posts for your keywords. How long are they? What topics do they cover? Identify any gaps or areas where you can offer more comprehensive information.

1. Explore “Also Asked” and related queries: Google’s “also asked” and related queries sections can provide valuable insights. Include these topics in your post to enhance its relevance and depth.

1. Outperform competitors: Aim to outperform existing blog posts in terms of length and content quality. Ensure your post not only matches but exceeds what’s already available, fulfilling users’ needs without them needing to seek additional sources.

Long Vs. short blog posts

The debate over blog post length for SEO often centers on whether longer content always performs better. However, successful bloggers have shown that shorter posts can be effective too, especially when they directly address specific user queries.

Consider the user’s intent when determining your blog’s length. For complex topics like choosing the best refrigerator, a detailed comparison might require a longer article. On the other hand, simple queries like the difference between refrigerator and freezer can be adequately addressed in a shorter format.

Tailor your blog length to fit the depth of information required by your keywords. This flexibility allows you to cater precisely to your audience’s search intent and maximize SEO impact.

Optimizing blog length for SEO

When optimizing for SEO, the length of your blog post should align with the complexity of the topic you’re covering. For instance, a comprehensive guide on making French toast would naturally be longer to include various recipes, cooking methods, and serving suggestions.

Before crafting your post, conduct thorough keyword research using tools like Keysearch. Analyze the top-ranking posts to understand their length and content strategy. Identify any gaps in their coverage — such as missing details on non-dairy milk alternatives for French toast recipes — to make your content more valuable to readers.

How to check competitor blog length

To determine how long your competitors' posts are, use tools like Word Counter Plus or Ahrefs Chrome extension. These tools allow you to quickly assess the word count of top-ranking articles. Exclude comments to focus solely on the main content length, ensuring accurate comparisons.

Blog post length trends and insights

In 2021, Oberlo discovered that the average blog post length ranged from 1 500 to 2 000 words, marking a significant increase from the average of 880 words observed seven years ago.

Similarly, OrbitMedia's research indicates a growing preference for long-form articles in recent years.

HubSpot's analysis suggests that the sweet spot for blog posts to rank well in SEO lies between 2 100 to 2 400 words. Interestingly, their highest lead-generating posts averaged around 2 500 words, indicating a correlation between content depth and audience engagement.

Further studies by HubSpot categorized optimal word counts for various blog types:

• Pillar Pages: 4 000 words
• Listicles: 2 300 to 2 600 words
• How-to Posts: 1 700 to 2 100 words
• What Is Posts: 1 300 to 1 700 words

Medium's research by Mike Sail found that blog posts holding readers' attention for approximately 7 minutes tend to be around 1 600 words long.

Ryan Robison's analysis of top-ranking Google posts suggests an average length of 1 140 to 1 285 words, possibly influenced by high domain authority sites favoring concise content. However, typical bloggers aiming to improve SEO may need more substantial posts.

Semrush reports a significant increase in the time bloggers spend crafting posts, from 2 hours in 2014 to an average of 6 hours in 2020.

Moreover, long-form content generally garners eight times more page views, three times more social media shares, and nine times more leads compared to shorter content pieces.

Semrush also notes that bloggers earning $50k annually find their most successful posts are approximately 2 400 words long. Additionally, content exceeding 3 000 words is 3.5 times more likely to attract backlinks, enhancing SEO performance.

Strategies for structuring long blog posts

1. Headings: Utilize H2, H3, and H4 headings to organize content effectively. Clear headings help readers grasp key points at a glance, aiding them in deciding if your post meets their needs.
2. Media: Incorporate images and videos strategically to break up text and maintain reader engagement. Visual aids not only enhance comprehension but also cater to diverse learning preferences.
3. White space: Maintain ample white space between sections to visually separate topics and enhance readability. White space reduces visual clutter, making it easier for readers to navigate through your content.
4. Short paragraphs: Given the prevalence of skim reading, use concise paragraphs to facilitate easier navigation through your post. Shorter paragraphs help readers find information quickly and efficiently.
5. Bold and italics: Use bold and italics sparingly to highlight essential information and key takeaways. Overusing these formatting tools can diminish their effectiveness, so reserve them for emphasizing critical points.

By incorporating these strategies, you can optimize your blog posts not only for SEO but also for enhanced reader engagement and retention.

Strategies to extend your blog post length

Many of my clients are eager to optimize their blog post length for SEO, yet they often struggle to surpass the 600-word mark. Let's face it, when you're brainstorming about French toast, there's only so much you can initially think to write, right?

To help you expand your blog post length and enhance your chances of ranking on Google's first page, follow these effective tips:

1. Explore "People also ask" on Google: Utilize these questions as headers, FAQs, or as comprehensive sections within your content.
2. Utilize "Related search terms": Incorporate these terms as headers or expand them into FAQs to enrich your post.
3. Identify gaps in competitor content: Review competitors' posts to see if there are unanswered questions or areas they could have covered better. Check comments for queries that remain unaddressed.
4. Leverage Quora insights: Explore Quora to uncover additional questions people are asking about your topic. Incorporate these questions and provide detailed answers in your blog.
5. Use examples liberally: Illustrate your points with relevant examples throughout your post to enhance clarity and engagement.
6. Structure with headers: When writing instructional content like recipes, use headers for each ingredient or step to elaborate effectively.
7. Explore relevant affiliates: Consider mentioning relevant affiliates where appropriate in your post to add depth and value.

5 Tips for crafting an SEO-optimized blog post

1. Choose realistic keywords: Focus on longtail keywords (3+ words) that you can realistically rank for. Aim for 3-5 keywords per post.
2. Analyze competitor content: Assess what information your competitors cover, identify missing details, evaluate media usage, and gauge readability.
3. Optimize for SEO: Ensure your post adheres to proper URL structure, incorporates keywords naturally throughout, and thoroughly addresses user queries.
4. Include a concise summary: Wrap up your post with a summary that synthesizes key takeaways for your readers.
5. Use RankMath for SEO setup: Enhance off-page SEO by incorporating internal and external links and crafting a compelling meta description for Google.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect length for your blog post isn't just about hitting a word count — it's about delivering value and meeting your readers' needs. For 2024, focus on quality and relevance to optimize your content for SEO.

While 600 words is a good baseline, the actual length should be guided by the complexity of the topic and the depth of information required. Analyze competitors, understand user intent, and ensure your content is comprehensive and engaging.

Long-form content can be effective, but it's crucial to maintain reader interest. Use headings, media, white space, and concise paragraphs to keep your content accessible. Always prioritize valuable, relevant information over merely increasing word count.

By following these guidelines, you can create blog posts that rank well on search engines and resonate with your audience, keeping them informed and engaged. As SEO trends evolve, staying adaptable and focusing on quality content will help your blog thrive.