Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Blog Post Length Matters
- Ideal Blog Post Lengths for High Performance
- Types of Blog Posts and Their Ideal Lengths
- Tools to Determine Optimal Word Count
- Breaking Up Long-Form Content
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
Imagine this: You've just written what you believe to be the most comprehensive blog post on your eCommerce site. Aside from putting in the time and effort, there's one big question on your mind: Is the length of your blog post optimal for high performance? If this scenario sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many content creators and marketers face this exact dilemma.
Recent trends and studies have shed light on the factors contributing to the effectiveness of a blog post, emphasizing length as a critical element. In this post, we’ll delve into the average length of a high-performing blog post in 2024, explore why length matters, and provide actionable insights to help you maximize the impact of your content.
Why Blog Post Length Matters
To understand the importance of blog post length, it's essential to grasp the multifaceted nature of a blog post’s effectiveness. Factors like topic relevance, tone, level of detail, and length all play crucial roles. However, recent analytics tend to favor longer posts for several compelling reasons.
Google’s Favor for Long-Form Content
Search engines like Google prioritize content that comprehensively covers a topic, known as content depth. This means longer posts often have an edge because they can explore a subject more exhaustively, providing valuable information that satisfies user intent better than shorter posts. As a result, these longer posts tend to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Lower Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC)
Producing and maintaining content can be resource-intensive. Longer, comprehensive blog posts can attract the same amount of traffic as multiple shorter posts, thus lowering your overall marketing spend and CAC. Additionally, maintaining one long post over time is less labor-intensive than managing several shorter ones.
Enhanced User Engagement
High-quality long-form content tends to engage users for extended periods, increasing the likelihood they will interact with other parts of your site. Longer posts also offer more opportunities to include calls-to-action (CTAs), driving further engagement.
Increased Social Media Shares
Comprehensive posts, often labeled as "ultimate guides," naturally attract more social media shares. These posts are not only valuable due to their completeness but also appeal to a broader audience, amplifying their reach.
Ideal Blog Post Lengths for High Performance
General Guidelines
So, what’s the sweet spot for blog post length in 2024? Although studies provide varying insights, a consensus points towards longer-form content being more effective. Here are some findings:
- OkDork and BuzzSumo Analyses: Recommend blog posts to be at least 2,000 words, as these are more likely to go viral.
- Moz and BuzzSumo Research: Suggest that posts should be a minimum of 1,000 words, noting that beyond 2,000 words, the benefits tend to diminish.
- CoSchedule Study: Revealed that the most shared and top-ranking articles average about 4,066 words.
Keyword-Specific Length
When determining the optimal length for a blog post, consider the topic and the user intent. For instance, simpler queries ("How long do pugs live?") may demand shorter, succinct answers. In contrast, comprehensive topics ("Guide to owning pugs") are better suited for longer-form content.
One effective strategy is to analyze the top ten results for your target keyword and aim to write a post that is about 10% longer than the average length of these competitors. This ensures you provide more depth and potentially cover more search queries related to the topic.
Types of Blog Posts and Their Ideal Lengths
Listicles
Listicles, which thrive on sites like Buzzfeed, are popular for their readability. Generally, effective listicles range between 2,300 to 2,600 words. This length allows you to include detailed descriptions for each list item, adding value for the reader.
Pillar Pages
Pillar pages serve as comprehensive resources on broad topics and often exceed 4,000 words. These pages act as foundational content for your site, extensively covering a subject and linking to related, more specific posts. Given their length and depth, pillar pages can significantly boost your SEO.
How-To or DIY Posts
These posts, designed to help users achieve specific results, typically fall between 1,700 and 2,100 words. The length should be sufficient to provide step-by-step guidance without overwhelming the reader. Ensure to use structured data to improve chances of appearing in Google’s Rich Results.
Product Reviews
Product reviews generally range from 1,000 to 2,000 words. Detailed reviews offer readers comprehensive insights into the product, which can increase the likelihood of conversions, especially if the post targets affiliate sales.
Tools to Determine Optimal Word Count
Several tools can help you determine the ideal word count for your blog posts:
- Surfer SEO: This software can generate content plans and suggest optimal word counts based on competitive analysis.
- Free Online Tools: Use free tools to find and average out the word counts of the top-ranking pages for your target keyword.
Remember, if these tools are showing up in search results, they’re likely doing something right in terms of content length.
Breaking Up Long-Form Content
Maintaining readability in long-form content is vital to keep readers engaged. Here are some practical strategies:
- Short Paragraphs: Limit paragraphs to two or three sentences and separate each with a line break.
- Interstitial Elements: Break content with CTAs, images, graphs, or tables after every few paragraphs.
- Numbered/Bulleted Lists: Use lists to present information concisely.
- Subheadings: Organize content with subheadings for easier navigation.
Conclusion
In summary, while there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the optimal blog post length, aiming for at least 2,000 words appears to be a good starting point for high performance in 2024. Longer posts provide content depth, engage readers, and attract more social media shares, all of which contribute to better search engine rankings and lower marketing costs.
As your readership and site traffic grow, ensure you have the necessary systems in place to handle this increased demand efficiently. Using tools like Linnworks can help you manage inventory and fulfill orders, allowing you to focus on producing top-quality content.
FAQ
What is the ideal length for a listicle?
Listicles should generally be between 2,300 to 2,600 words to provide adequate detail for each list item.
How long should a pillar page be?
Pillar pages are extensive resources and should generally exceed 4,000 words, providing comprehensive coverage of a broad topic.
Do shorter blog posts perform well?
Shorter posts can perform well if they precisely meet the user intent, such as providing a quick answer to a specific question.
What tools can help determine the ideal blog post length?
Surfer SEO and free online tools for analyzing top-ranking pages can help determine the optimal word count for your blog posts.
How can I make long-form content more readable?
Use short paragraphs, break content with interstitial elements, and organize information with subheadings to enhance readability.
By following these guidelines and tailoring your content length to your audience’s needs, you can significantly improve the performance of your blog posts in 2024.
