Best Word Count for SEO

A page’s total word count can greatly affect SEO rankings and organic traffic. Studies record an average of 1,500 to 2,500 words for any ranking blog post. On average, those with 1,477 words are found on the first page of search engines like Google.

However, long words automatically do not mean much traffic. Quality matters; people will always prefer well-written articles that convey real value rather than very long pieces.

Determine the proper word count for SEO by considering your audience, the complexity of the topic, and how much competition exists in your niche. Need help figuring out where to start? Read through our guide to find out!

Data-Driven Insights: The Connection Between Length and Ranking

Do you know the minimum word count in SEO? Marketing has long discussed the need for perfect word count and articles of a certain length to rank well in search engines.

Some time ago, the recommended web page length was approximately 750 words, but now it is suggested to have search results pages be at least 1,500 to 2,000 words.

According to the latest study, content length has a fantastic function related to ranking better in search engine results pages. 

First, HubSpot states that the ideal blog posts should be 2,100-2,400 words, and Backlinko shares articles of 1,000-2,400 words and gets 56.1% more shares on social media. On the contrary, backlinks are mostly naturally earned by articles of more than 3,000 words.

However, it is worth noting that since longer articles most often rank higher and often perform better, it doesn’t mean shorter ones cannot rank well, either. 

HubSpot analysed their top 50 articles and found that even posts under 1,500 words can still perform well in search rankings. They say that blogs don’t need to be long.

Tailoring Content-Length to Specific Formats

Crafting Impactful Blog Posts: Best Practices for 2024

When you write blog posts, it’s crucial to think how long they should be. The ideal length of a blog post is between 1,500 and 2,500 words. This gives you enough space to talk about the topic in detail, helping your readers learn more about the subject.

Why Length Matters:

• More Information: Longer posts let you dive deeper into subjects. This means you can give your readers useful information and answer their questions, which is Google values for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T)
• More SEO-friendly: Google favours longer texts because they shout expertise very frequently, which means more visibility to your blog!

How to Write An Excellent Blog

Choose a Clear Topic

Starting with a clear topic is crucial for engaging your readers and boosting your SEO. Select a subject that interests your audience and aligns with your niche. Research shows that 70% of consumers prefer to learn through articles rather than ads, emphasising the value of informative content.

Outline

Creating an outline before writing is important to having a well-organised post. Listing main points ensures a good flow. Readers like reading easy-to-read content because it requires less effort.

Use Fun Examples or Stories

Add interesting examples or stories to support your points. Research studies have proven that storytelling leaves an information imprint in your memory for as long as 22 times, making the person remember it.

Use Pictures 

Adding pictures will explain the topic visually, making your blog very catchy. Articles with images are viewed 94% more than those without images; therefore, adding visuals is a critical requirement to attract and retain readership.

Conclusion

It is essential to summarise your major ideas and prompt readers to think or act. A good conclusion leaves a lasting impression.

Effective Landing Pages and Product Descriptions: Less is More

Why Short and Sweet Works

• Easy to Read: People want to know right away. A simple-to-read copy will translate into short descriptions, which will have people learn about your product more quickly.
• Focus on Key Details: You can literally describe the key points in just a few words. And obviously, that communicates to someone why they should buy it!
• Less Confusion: More information needs to be clear. A concise approach keeps the message clear and direct.

Landing Page and Product Description Writing Tips

• Engaging headline: Begin with a catchy headline, something that grabs people’s attention so easily and makes them read through.
• Use simple language: Write so that everyone can easily understand. Use very simple words and phrases.
• Highlight Benefits: Explain how your product can help the reader. What makes it special? Why do they need it? Add Clear Call-to-Actions: Tell your reader what to do next! Use CTA or words like “Buy Now” or “Learn More” to guide them.
• Include Images: Pictures of your product help readers visualise what they are getting. Good pictures make the product look more attractive.
• Organised: short paragraphs with bullet points. Scannable: Readers can get what they need to know quickly.

Why Word Count Alone Won’t Guarantee Rankings

Ranking at the top of Google is more than just word count. Sometimes, content needs as many words as possible. However, the point remains that Google rankings are much more quality-based than quantity-based.

Let’s look at why that is so and how quality writing can make all the difference.

Content Quality vs. Length

Engagement Matters

Moving on from above, let’s weigh in on engagement matters. Let’s say your 1,000-word post was precious to your readers and you spent more time on the page. 

Google’s search algorithm is simply assuming that your longer content is valuable. A 3,000-word post that bored your readers or was wasted out at once will not rank as high.

Relevance is the Key

Answer what the users are asking. A piece of content marketer with a short, very focused word count will probably perform better than a longer, unfocused one. 

For example, if some search engine results query asks “how to bake a cake,” a clear 1,000-word guide that includes easy steps and tips may likely perform much better than a 3,000-word, broader article losing focus.

Examples of Success

Take, for example, a blog on gardening. That 3,000-word essay on how many words about all vegetables, including tomatoes, will just not be as useful as that single 1,000-word article on how to grow tomatoes. That is if the shorter piece is a pleasure to read and stuffed with good advice.

User Experience

Quality content will have the right structure, be fascinating, and have a good appearance to attract people to spend quality time on your page. A positive user experience ensures shares, possibly more backlinks, and organic traffic, enhancing your ranking in search results.

Aligning Word Count with User Intent

When writing for the web, the optimal word count for your article will depend entirely on what your readers are looking for. This is called “user intent” and aids in your decision as to typical word count, how much word count matters, and how long your content should be. Let’s break it down!

Understanding User Intent

This means that user intent represents a person’s intention when hunting for something through the web. Is one line sufficient to search intent, or would it be better to have unnecessary words for a more elaborate solution? If you know that, you know how much to write.

• Easy Topics: If the reader is looking for a simple “how-to” where “how to tie your shoes” is an idealised prototype, then a 1,200-word piece can be adequately long. This is because an easy answer presents little redundancy.
• Complex Topics: If the reader is interested in a relatively complex topic, such as “How to start a garden,” they would need a longer article. For example, posts that are 3,000 words or more can be an excellent source of information on different kinds of plants, tools one might need to execute them, and tips for success.

How to Determine the Best Word Count for Your Content

Competitor Analysis

If you want to rank high on Google by having your articles, then it’s worth checking out your competitors. This is called competitor analysis. By taking a look at the top-ranking pages for the keywords that you are going to target using short-form content, you can figure out how long their articles are.

How to Do Competitor Analysis

To conduct competitor analysis, you must collect data using SEMrush, Ahrefs or Google Search Console. Using these tools, you can easily find the ideal word count of the best articles about your topic, thus targeting relevant keywords with a similar or high word count and competing better!

Content Structure

Once you know what the right target word count really is, you will get into a pretty good position to structure and create content around that well. Now, here’s how:

• Headings: Divided sections could be created by utilising headings. This way, of course, the reader would know that contents are placed under a particular heading, and he would easily locate information.
• Add bullets: If there are lots of items or tips, separate them with bullets. This will be easier on the reader’s eyes and mind.
• Internal Linking: They link to other pages on your website from your blog post. Internal linking helps readers find more related information and keeps them on your site longer.
• Keep Your Paragraphs Brief: Short paragraphs are easier on the eye than a block of words. Aim for 2-4 sentences per paragraph.

The Best Word Count for SEO 2024

The ideal word count for your writing depends upon what your readers want. Smaller articles are ideal for simple topics, but longer pieces work better on complicated topics. Consider user intent to create content that meets your readers’ needs.