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How long should a blog post be in 2024?

Ever found yourself confused over the length of a blog post, debating how long it should be? 500 words? 1,500 words? 2,000? More?! We've all been there. Cracking the ideal blog length code is more an art than science.

The goal is to steward epic reader experiences while levelling up those SEO wins. Not just obsessing over word counts.

That still leaves the optimal question around how long a blog post should be. And it’s one we’re going to answer with this guide to all things blog-post lengths.

What's the ideal blog post length?

How long is a piece of string? It’s a question that’s incredibly hard to answer, and it’s the same deal with blog posts. For some, the ideal blog post is 3,000 words of in-depth insights. For others, it’s a short, snappy 300 article that gets to the point quickly. 

Of course, there’s also that little elephant in the room called SEO. The reader should always come first, but there’s no denying that search engine optimisation plays a role. You want your blog post to rank, and that means doing things the search engines like. 

And let’s not get started on social media shares and backlinks to go along with that sweet web traffic. Hitting the sweet spot of blog post length is a delicate balance, and the truth is that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for what makes the ideal blog post length. 

Yes, traditionally speaking, search engines tend to favour longer blog posts. But Google is always evolving, and what it really likes is rich content that adds something to the reader’s life. 

But for now, if your aim is to feature in search engines, then focusing on slightly longer posts might still curry some favour. If, however, social sharing is your end goal, short, snappy posts tend to do the trick. 

Below is a typical association between the word count of a blog post and the type of content it's usually applied to:

Short-form content (300-1,000 words):

  • News articles or updates
  • Tips or quick how-to guides
  • Product descriptions or reviews
  • Social media posts

Mid-length content (1,000-2,000 words):

  • In-depth tutorials or guides
  • Listicles or compilations
  • Detailed product comparisons
  • Comprehensive FAQ pages

Long-form content (2,000-plus words):

  • Pillar pages or ultimate guides
  • Thoroughly researched reports or case studies
  • Authoritative thought leadership pieces
  • Content aimed at lead generation or establishing expertise

While the ideal length for a blog may fall between 1,500-2,500 words for SEO, it’s worth remembering that your focus should be on catering to your audience’s needs and the purpose of your content. After all, the best blog post length is one that provides value to your readers and accomplishes your content goals.

The power of word count in content types 

As we go further into the tricky topic of word counts, it becomes even more obvious that the number of words you put on a page is more about the audience you cater for and the types of content you want to create. 

Is your blog about updating readers with the latest news? In that case, shorter articles high in volume are likely to be the most successful. Let’s dig a little deeper into the world of short blog posts.  

Quick updates: the role of short posts

Imagine you’re running a tech blog and need to announce a new software update. A short blog under 300 words will do the job nicely. These posts are great for generating engagement, particularly for quick announcements or discussions to show that you’re on top of current trends. 

Indeed, if your goal is to generate a lively discussion and comments, an average blog post no longer than 275 words is recommended. These are the types of articles that are more akin to a quick chat over a coffee—the aim is to get to the point. 

As they say, however, every rose has its thorns, and short posts are no exception. Despite their brevity and aptness for quick updates, short posts often struggle to gain traction, especially when it comes to ranking on search engines. 

So, while short posts have their place in the blogging world, they might not be your best bet if your goals include SEO. But what of the other end of the scale? Let’s look at that next.

When more is more

Longer-form content gives you the chance to dig a little deeper. Articles longer in length educate readers while immersing them in a topic—one they likely already have an interest in. 

These pieces tend to range between 1,300 and 2,500 words. It’s enough to get into the meat and bones of a topic without hitting the seriously high word counts. Lengthy articles offer more than surface-level information, and they’re 3.5 times more likely to receive backlinks while also being associated with higher Google search result rankings. Plus, they lead to more time spent on the page by readers, indicating a higher level of engagement. But only if the content is good, of course. 

And this is sort of the point: you can have a 2,000-word article, and Google might even rank it. But it doesn’t matter if people aren’t engaged with what they are reading. The goal should always be to provide engaging content first and foremost. 

Get longer form content right while staying away from paddling the word count, and you’ll provide thorough, valuable articles that answers your reader’s questions.

Crafting long-form blog posts for maximum impact

If your content is more than 2,500 words, you can consider it a long read. When done to a high level, long-form content can be just what your brand needs to convey thought leadership and show readers that you know your onions. 

These articles are research-rich, featuring a detailed outline that lets you prepare the layout and content effectively. The devil is in the details. Long-form blog posts need a clear structure, captivating storytelling, data-led insights in some cases and comprehensive explanations to keep readers engaged and coming back for more.

If you’re looking for inspiration, the Guardian tells some excellent stories with its long-form reads. Similarly, websites like HubSpot and Moz know their way around long-form content, especially when it comes to marketing practices and SEO advice. 

Long-form content has its place in blogging, and with improvements in technology, you can even add additional features like audio for anyone who doesn't fancy reading 10,000 words all at once. These types of extras have added another layer to long-form content. 

Research and keywords: laying the foundation

Just like a solid foundation is important to a sturdy building, detailed research and appropriate keywords are the bedrock of a high-quality blog post. They guarantee that your post thoroughly addresses the reader’s query and doesn’t contain unnecessary information. Less fluff, more flavour, if you will. 

Expanding posts with various viewpoints, statistical data and case studies enriches the content and enhances the credibility of your post. Including expert insights, concrete examples and multimedia are also valuable elements that elevate your blog post’s quality and demonstrate the practical application of your advice. A video, for example, can be a great way to increase engagement and give readers more ways to to interact with your article.

But how do you make sure your blog post is found by your target audience? Say hello to keywords. Comprehensive keyword research using tools and exploring related searches is key to selecting appropriate topics for content that meets SEO requirements. Incorporating ‘People also ask’ and ‘Related search terms’ from Google can increase the relevance of your blog and its potential to rank better in search engine results.

Regardless of the length of a blog post, your SEO game will need to be watertight to give any blog post the best chance of ranking. Tools like Semrush, Moz and Surfer can all help locate top-ranking keywords and opportunities.

Structure and readability: keeping readers hooked

If you’ve ever planned a journey that went off without a hitch, then you’ll have an idea of what’s required for a well-structured blog post. It’s easier for the reader to follow along and stay for the ride when you’ve put thought into how your blog post will look. 

For long-form content, a structured format is even more important and requires using headings, subheadings and a table of contents to improve readability and the overall user experience.

Enhancing the navigability of long blog posts can be achieved by using the following techniques:

  • Subheadings
  • Short paragraphs
  • Multimedia elements
  • White space
  • Clear formatting

Think of it as breaking down a complex puzzle into manageable pieces, guiding your reader through your post with ease.

Readability is further maintained by:

  • Keeping paragraphs short
  • Incorporating bullet points and lists for key points
  • Including relevant visuals
  • Varying sentence structure to engage the reader

This is a conversation with your reader, where you present your points in an engaging and digestible manner.

With a strong foundation laid and a clear structure in place, you’re well on your way to crafting a captivating long-form blog post. But finding balance between length and engagement is a delicate dance. 

Balancing length with engagement: finding the middle ground

It’s always worth remembering that writing a long blog post isn’t a sprint to hit a word count. It’s a finely tuned balancing act—on one side, you have the ideal blog post length for SEO and comprehensive coverage. On the other, you have the need to maintain reader engagement.

Keep it conversational

Coming up with a catchy headline and writing in a conversational tone can significantly improve reader engagement. After all, people like to read in a similar way to how they’re spoken to. If you try to sound too clever, they’ll often switch off, feeling like you’re talking to them in a way that's unnatural or condescending.

Encourage feedback

Asking questions and encouraging comments and feedback can also build reader interaction and deepen engagement with the blog content. It creates a two-way conversation, making your blog a platform for discussion, not just a broadcasting channel.

However, the length of a blog post should aim for thorough coverage of the topic instead of meeting a predetermined word count, prioritising content quality and relevance. Don’t fill up quotas; provide value. Do this, and you’ll be well on your way to crafting excellent content.

Creating blog posts of all lengths is no easy feat. Other than needing to write to a high level, both writers and readers need to consider other aspects. For instance, writing blogs can be time-consuming. 

Longer pieces especially require more time and effort, with the right preparation going into the writing process. A level of dedication is required, and there are some aspects to consider. For starters, longer content may not be as shareable as shorter content. 

Staying on topic can also be more challenging. You need more effort to keep everything on course and reach the desired destination.

Don’t let these challenges deter you. There are ways to navigate them. One method is linking back to older content. This can help visitors discover new long-form posts and enhance their search engine performance. Some longer-form content can also be broken up into more digestible posts so it’s easier to share them across social media. 

Remember that the journey of writing any content might be challenging, but with the right strategies, it can lead to SEO and social success. 

Using blog length for SEO success

Long-form content can rank well in search engines, with longer articles more likely to draw more links and shares due to their in-depth topic analysis. This, in turn, boosts your SEO.

And while Google says that word count isn't a direct factor in ranking posts, articles with a minimum of 600 words tend to be valuable, and creating content that aligns with this can favour your SEO targets. If you give Google what it wants, then you’ll likely get something in return. But what does it want? 

Well, that’s always changing. But as a rule of thumb, it loves valuable, comprehensive content that meets the reader’s needs. Again, the goal should be on providing readers value before giving them word counts. 

Focus on the substance and value of your blog content rather than solely targeting a high word count for SEO success. Incorporating appropriate internal links, at least two to three per post, can also further boost your blog’s SEO potential.

While achieving SEO success is a primary goal for many, remember that it’s also important to look beyond the numbers. Quality always trumps quantity.

Beyond the numbers: quality over quantity

In the race to hit the ‘ideal’ blog post length, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters—quality. To engage readers, blog posts must answer their questions thoroughly and contain only content that adds value, offering purposefulness in every segment.

Aligning blog content with search intent involves analysing top-ranking articles’:

  • Length
  • Tone
  • Structure
  • Visual elements

Enhancing readability through bullet points and short paragraphs can give your good blog post the edge it needs.

Delivering consistently high-quality content has several benefits:

  • It reinforces brand reputation
  • It contributes to cultivating a loyal readership
  • Long-form content has the potential to be repurposed across different media platforms, giving you more bang for your buck.

Remember that it’s worth focusing on creating content that delivers value to customers, avoiding an excessive focus on hitting a specific word count. After all, content quality does not equate directly with length.

Tailoring your blog post's length to your audience

Your audience is the heart of your blog, and understanding their preferences and level of expertise will often determine the length of blog posts that engages them.

The ideal blog post length should be shaped by the user’s search intent and the complexity of the topic, promoting content alignment with audience needs. This is especially true for long-form content like comprehensive guides, in-depth tutorials or definitive industry reports where extensive detail and accuracy is required.

Varying the lengths of blog posts according to audience consumption patterns is central to maintaining reader engagement and delivering value. For maximum reader engagement, you need to continuously assess and adapt the blog post length in response to audience feedback and changing preferences.

Measuring the effectiveness of your blog's word count

How do you know if your blog post length is hitting all the right notes? By measuring its effectiveness. Analysing engagement metrics and performance provides those all-important insights into the ideal length for future blog posts, as it examines preferences for various content lengths.

Long-form content, in particular, is associated with increased ‘time on page’, suggesting a better user experience, which is a factor Google uses to assess the quality of a web page. The longer people spend on your content the better—especially if it encourages them to visit other parts of your website. 

Then there’s competitor analysis, which involves:

  • Comparing the length of a blog post with those of top-ranked posts on similar queries
  • Helps in deciding an effective blog post length
  • Keeping an eye on what your successful competitors are doing and learning from it while providing your own take.

Interestingly, articles exceeding 2,500 words have been noted to generate the highest amounts of organic traffic among various blog post lengths. And blog posts with word counts over 1,500 have been shown to receive 68.1% more tweets compared to those with fewer than 1,500 words. So, it looks like longer-form content is where it’s at, as long as that’s what your aim is. In other words, if the content calls for it, make it longer. But if you can say it in fewer words, then don’t make the article longer for the sake of it.

2024 and the ideal blog post length

The ideal blog post length strikes a delicate balance of comprehensive, SEO-optimised text and audience engagement. By aligning your blog post length with user intent, your content goals, and your audience's preferences, you'll create resonant experiences that drive both search visibility and a genuine reader connection.

Ultimately, quality and value should reign supreme over arbitrary word counts.

If you want help getting this balance right, Conturae is your go-to. Whether you’re aiming to boost SEO with in-depth articles or engage your audience with snappy, shareable posts, Conturae can help you achieve your goals.

Our unique blend of expert human writers and AI-fuelled tools streamline your content creation process, optimise text for search engines, and ensure your readers stay engaged. So what are you waiting for? Contact Conturae today to discover how we can help you tailor your blog posts to perfection!