How long should a blog be?

By Leann Priebe, November 27, 2024, at 9:45 AM

Ever caught yourself wondering, “How long should my blog be?” You’re not alone. Is 500 words enough? Should it be 1,500? Or somewhere in between? The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The ideal length depends on how much value you’re delivering and how thoroughly you’re addressing your audience’s questions.

While there are general best practices for blog length, the key takeaway is this: quality always beats quantity. Let’s break down what Google says about blog length, some tried-and-true best practices, and how to find the sweet spot for your content.

What does Google say about blog length?

Google makes one thing clear: word count is not a direct ranking factor. What matters more is whether your content is high-quality, relevant, and useful. Thin content—blogs that are short and lack depth—rarely perform well because they don’t meet user expectations.

But here’s where blog length comes in: longer blogs often rank better because they provide the space to fully answer questions, add context, and explore multiple angles of a topic. This ties directly into Google’s E-E-A-T principles:

• Experience: Does the content reflect firsthand experience?
• Expertise: Does it show deep knowledge of the topic?
• Authority: Is the author or source credible?
• Trustworthiness: Can users rely on the content and its source?

So while writing a long blog just for the sake of length won’t help, creating comprehensive, well-thought-out content can give you a competitive edge.

Best practices for blog length

There’s no magic number for SEO, but certain blog lengths tend to work better for different types of content:

• Short Blogs (300–600 Words): Ideal for quick updates, announcements, or simple topics that don’t need much depth. However, these are less likely to perform well in search rankings.
• Medium Blogs (800–1,200 Words): This sweet spot works for most blogs. It’s long enough to dig into details without overwhelming your reader. Perfect for how-tos, listicles, and general thought leadership.
• Long-Form Blogs (1,500+ Words): Best for in-depth guides, competitive keywords, or complex topics. Long-form content often performs better in search rankings because it keeps readers engaged and delivers more value.

How to find the right blog length

When deciding on blog length, consider two main factors:

1 – Answer Your Audience’s Questions

Think about what your audience is searching for. If it’s a straightforward question, a short blog might do the trick. But for more complex topics, longer, detailed content is key. Your goal is to fully answer their questions and leave no gaps.

2 – Research Your Competition

Check out what your competitors are doing. If they’re publishing 1,000-word blogs, aim for 1,500—and make yours more engaging and in-depth. Remember, you don’t need to beat the entire internet, just the players in your niche.

Quality wins over length

At the end of the day, there’s no magic word count that guarantees success. The best blog length is simply what it takes to fully cover your topic, meet your audience’s needs, and outperform your competitors.

Longer content is great for competitive topics, but the real secret is this: prioritize quality above all else. When you focus on creating content that provides real value to your readers, you’re not just writing for rankings—you’re building trust and delivering solutions. And that’s a win-win for you and your audience.