How Long Should a Blog Post Be for SEO in 2024

How long should a blog post be for good SEO in 2024? Many content creators want to know. There’s no perfect length for every post. It depends on what you’re writing about and who you’re writing for. To do well, focus on creating SEO content ideas that your readers find useful. It’s more important to write helpful content than to hit a specific word count.

This article explores these factors in detail, providing insights into how to determine the best length for your blog posts to maximize SEO benefits.

The Evolution of the Blog Post Length

Early Blogging Trends

In the early days of blogging, posts were typically short, ranging from 500 to 800 words, according to Neil Patel. However, as the digital landscape evolved, so did the preferences of both readers and search engines.

Shift to Long-Form Content

By the 2010s, long-form content became increasingly popular. Readers began to value in-depth articles that provided comprehensive information, and search engines like Google started to prioritize such content in their rankings. This shift led to a new standard where blog posts often ranged from 1,500 to 2,500 words.

Current Trends in Blog Post Length

For most blog posts, the ideal length is between 1,500 and 2,500 words. This range allows for thorough exploration of topics, inclusion of relevant keywords, and provision of valuable information to readers. However, the optimal length can vary based on several factors:

1. Content Type:
   • How-To Articles: These posts should be detailed enough to guide readers through a process, typically ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 words, depending on the complexity of the topic.
   • Listicles: These posts often perform well at around 2,000 to 2,500 words, as they provide comprehensive lists that are easy to read and share.
   • Pillar Pages: These cornerstone articles should be extensive, usually between 3,000 and 4,000 words, as they serve as authoritative resources on a particular topic.
2. Industry and Audience:
   • Different industries have varying standards for content length. For example, marketing and finance articles tend to be longer, while news and healthcare articles can be shorter due to the nature of the information being conveyed.
3. Search Intent:
   • The intent behind a search query can significantly influence the ideal length of a blog post. For instance, a query seeking a detailed guide will benefit from a longer post, while a query looking for quick answers may be satisfied with a shorter article.

Why Post Length Matters

SEO Benefits

Longer blog posts offer several SEO advantages:

• Keyword Inclusion: More words allow for the natural inclusion of a broader range of keywords and related terms, improving the post’s relevance for various search queries. For example, understanding what a website title is can help you craft better titles that incorporate relevant keywords, further enhancing your SEO strategy.
• Backlinks: In-depth articles are more likely to be cited by other websites, increasing the number of backlinks and enhancing the post’s authority.
• User Engagement: Longer posts can keep readers engaged for a more extended period, reducing bounce rates and signaling to search engines that the content is valuable.

Reader Value

Providing comprehensive information in a single post can enhance the reader’s experience. Detailed articles are more likely to be shared on social media and bookmarked for future reference, increasing their reach and impact.

Quality Over Quantity

While longer posts generally perform better, quality should never be sacrificed for length. A well-written, concise article that thoroughly addresses the topic will always outperform a longer, but poorly written, piece. Focus on creating valuable, engaging content that meets the needs of your audience.

How to Determine your Blog Post Length

1. Understand the Purpose of Your Blog Post

The first step in determining the ideal length for your blog post is understanding its purpose. Different goals may require different lengths:

• Informative/Educational Content: If your goal is to educate your readers on a complex topic, longer posts (1,500-2,500 words) are generally more effective. These posts provide in-depth information and comprehensive insights that help establish your authority on the subject.
• Engagement and Interaction: For posts aimed at sparking discussions or increasing engagement, shorter posts (600-800 words) might be more suitable. These posts are easier to read and digest quickly, encouraging comments and shares.
• SEO and Ranking: For improving search engine rankings, a mix of both long and short posts can be beneficial. According to HubSpot, the ideal blog post length for SEO is between 2,100-2,400 words. However, shorter posts should not be ignored as they can also rank well, especially when targeting less competitive keywords.

2. Analyzing Audience Preferences

Knowing your audience is crucial in determining blog post length. Audience preferences can significantly impact how well your content is received:

• Demographics: Younger audiences might prefer shorter, more concise posts due to shorter attention spans, while older audiences may appreciate longer, detailed content.
• Behavior Patterns: Use analytics tools to observe how your audience interacts with your current content. Metrics such as average time on page, bounce rate, and social shares can give you insights into their preferences.

3. Considering the Complexity of the Topic

The complexity of your topic plays a significant role in determining the length of your blog post:

• Simple Topics: For straightforward topics that don’t require much explanation, shorter posts (500-700 words) are usually sufficient.
• Complex Topics: More complex topics that require thorough explanations and multiple subpoints generally need longer posts (1,500 words or more) to cover all aspects adequately.

4. Competitive Analysis

Analyzing your competitors’ content can provide valuable insights into what works well in your niche:

• Top-Ranking Posts: Look at the top-ranking posts for your target keywords and analyze their length. Tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs can help you identify the average word count of top-performing articles.
• Content Gaps: Identify areas where your competitors may be lacking. If most posts in your niche are relatively short, a longer, more comprehensive post can help you stand out and provide more value to your readers.

5. Utilizing Data and Analytics

Data-driven decisions are crucial for determining the optimal length of your blog posts. Here are some key metrics to consider:

• Average Time on Page: Longer posts tend to have a higher average time on page, indicating that readers are engaged with the content. However, ensure the content remains valuable and not just lengthy for the sake of it.
• Bounce Rate: A high bounce rate might indicate that your posts are too long or too short for your audience’s preferences. Experiment with different lengths to see what reduces the bounce rate.
• Social Shares and Comments: Track the engagement metrics to understand which lengths generate the most interaction. BuzzSumo found that posts between 1,000-2,000 words get the most social shares on average.

6. Experimentation and Flexibility

Content creation is not a one-size-fits-all process. What works for one blog may not work for another, even within the same niche. Here are some tips for experimentation and flexibility:

• A/B Testing: Experiment with different lengths for similar topics and track the performance. A/B testing can help you identify what resonates best with your audience.
• Regular Reviews: Periodically review the performance of your blog posts and adjust your content strategy accordingly. Be open to making changes based on new data and trends.
• Feedback Loop: Encourage reader feedback to understand their preferences better. Use surveys or direct comments to gather insights on what they find most valuable.

7. The Role of Evergreen Content

Evergreen content—posts that remain relevant and valuable over time—often benefits from being longer and more comprehensive. These posts can continue to attract traffic long after they are published:

• In-Depth Guides: Creating detailed guides (2,000+ words) on evergreen topics can establish your blog as a go-to resource. These posts should be well-researched and updated regularly to maintain their relevance.
• Listicles and How-Tos: Longer listicles and how-to guides (1,500-2,500 words) often perform well because they provide actionable insights and multiple points of value in one place.

8. SEO Considerations

SEO is a critical factor in determining blog post length. Here are some key considerations:

• Keyword Density and Placement: Ensure that your target keywords are naturally integrated throughout the post without keyword stuffing. Longer posts allow for more natural keyword placement.
• Internal and External Links: Use internal links to connect related posts on your blog and external links to reputable sources. This not only improves SEO but also enhances the reader’s experience.
• Structured Data: Use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and other formatting tools to make your content easy to read and scan. Well-structured content tends to perform better in search engine rankings.

Create High-quality, Long-form Content with Addlly AI

As we have explored, determining the optimal length for a blog post in 2024 involves balancing several factors, including content type, industry standards, and reader expectations.

While the general recommendation is to aim for 1,500 to 2,500 words, the most crucial aspect is to provide high-quality, valuable content that meets the needs of your audience.

This is where tools like Addly AI 1-Click Blog Writer and SEO Blog Copilot can be invaluable.

Key Features of Addlly.ai SEO Blog Copilot:

1. Effortless Content Generation:
   • Create blog posts by simply entering a topic, summary, or uploading a PDF. The AI will handle the rest, ensuring your content is comprehensive and engaging​.
2. SEO Optimization:
   • The tool provides real-time keyword research, optimizing your content for the latest search trends and ensuring it aligns with current SEO best practices. This includes generating meta details, FAQ schemas, and even AI-generated images to complement your content​
3. Customizable and Accurate:
   • Tailor your content’s tone and style to match your brand’s voice. Addlly.ai also integrates advanced fact-checking capabilities to ensure all information is accurate and reliable, enhancing your content’s credibility​
4. Versatile Content Formats:
   • Beyond blog posts, repurpose your content into various formats such as LinkedIn posts, Facebook updates, Instagram captions, and Google ad copy, all optimized for your target audience​
5. User-Friendly Interface:
   • The intuitive design allows you to easily navigate and utilize all features, from content creation to SEO optimization, making it accessible even for those with minimal technical expertise

Addlly.ai stands out by combining multiple state-of-the-art language models and providing a comprehensive suite of AI-driven tools tailored for SEO. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Addlly.ai can help you achieve better search engine visibility, drive organic traffic, and ultimately grow your online presence!

Conclusion

Determining the ideal length for a blog post in 2024 involves balancing several factors, including content type, industry standards, and reader expectations.

While the general recommendation is to aim for 1,500 to 2,500 words, the most crucial aspect is to provide high-quality, valuable content that meets the needs of your audience.

By focusing on quality and relevance, you can create blog posts that perform well in search engine rankings and resonate with readers.