Understand the Importance of Word Count in SEO

Have you ever wondered how long you should keep the content or how detailed the outline should be?
Well, it depends on different factors and niches. However, if you look at it from an SEO perspective, there are other stories on “Google supports the long content” or “content should be short and well-written” but no one knows the correct answer. In the following discussion, we will talk about the importance of word count in SEO.

SEO Best Practices for Word Count

SEO is a moving target for marketers as search engine algorithms constantly update themselves. One strategy that works for you today may be ineffective in the coming days. However, some SEO practices are consistent and effective in every situation, and word count is one of them. Google or other SEO search engines do not specify any ideal word count; they only care about content quality. Your content must be engaging, exciting, and adequately answer the user’s query. 

For example, if you are writing a “How to” guide for tech devices, no one will tell you a 2000-word guide or to write a 500-word guide.
So what do you do?
In this case, you should focus on the intent of the content and how detailed you can guide your audience. Make your guide as precise and informative as possible by adding helpful material for each step. Moreover, you should also add any issues that users may face during the process. In this way, it does not matter whether your guide is 500 words long or 2000 words long. Your audience will only stay on your page if they get all the essential information according to the topic.

How to Decide Ideal Word Count?

Ryan Velez, Sr. Content Production Lead at NP Digital, states how word count requirements have evolved:

“Ideal blog length has always evolved over time. As a response to the wave of 750-word content, things expanded to be a lot more comprehensive, 2,500 words-plus. Now, with the wave of AI-generated content flooding the internet, word count doesn’t guarantee quality to the same degree. Combine that with the “TikTok Effect,” and ideal content size is smaller now and quicker to get to the point. Think 1,500 to 2,000 words.”

Today, search engine ranking and SEO marketing have become more competitive, so you must focus on providing comprehensive content of quality and quantity. Due to this, blogs are getting longer and longer, and it is even possible to write a blog with more than 3000 words as blogs have become 77% longer than they were ten years old, with an average of 1500 words.

Long Form Content vs Short Form Content

Let’s go through a comparison between long-form and short-form content. 

Long Form Content

First, we will see the impact of long-form content on SEO:

• Depth and Detail: Typically exceeding 1,000 words, long-form content allows for a comprehensive topic exploration, providing in-depth analysis and valuable insights.
• SEO Benefits: Search engines often favor longer content for its potential to include more keywords and context, which can lead to better rankings and increased visibility.
• Engagement and Sharing: Detailed articles encourage longer engagement times and are more likely to be shared, leading to higher traffic and potential backlinks.
• Authority Building: By offering thorough information, long-form content helps establish your brand or website as an authority in your niche, fostering trust with your audience.

Short Form Content

Now, let’s learn how short-form content can support your SEO efforts.

• Concise and Quick: Typically under 1,000 words, short-form content is designed for quick consumption, making it ideal for busy readers who prefer straightforward information.
• High Share-ability: Bite-sized pieces, such as blog posts, social media updates, or infographics, are often more shareable, allowing for broader platform reach.
• Immediate Impact: Short-form content can deliver quick insights or tips, making it practical for addressing specific questions or trends in a fast-paced digital environment.
• Versatility: It can be used for various formats, including social media, newsletters, and marketing materials, offering flexibility in content strategy.

FAQs

1. What is word count in the context of SEO?
Word count refers to the total number of words in a content. SEO is often analyzed to determine content depth and comprehensiveness, which can influence search engine rankings.

2. Does longer content consistently rank better in search engines?
Not necessarily. While longer content can provide more information and depth, quality and relevance are more important. Search engines prioritize content that effectively answers users’ queries, regardless of length.

3. What is the ideal word count for SEO?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. However, many studies suggest that blog posts between 1,000 and 2,500 words perform well in search results. The key is delivering value rather than hitting a specific word count.

4. How does word count affect user engagement?
Longer, well-structured articles can improve user engagement by providing comprehensive information. However, if the content is too lengthy without engaging, it may lead to higher bounce rates. Aim for clarity and relevance to keep readers interested.

5. Should I focus on word count or content quality?
First, prioritize content quality. A well-researched, informative, and engaging piece will naturally have a suitable word count. Avoid fluff to increase length; focus on what truly adds value to your audience.

6. How can I determine the optimal word count for my niche?
Analyze top-performing articles in your niche. Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or even manual searches can help you see what word counts are joint for high-ranking pages. Aim to match or exceed the depth of those articles while maintaining quality.

Is Long-Form Content the Answer?

Well, we determined that the longer the blog, the better your blog will perform on search engines. Long-form content has the following benefits:

1. Increased Depth and Detail

Long-form blogs allow you to explore topics in greater depth, providing comprehensive information that answers readers’ questions thoroughly. This enhances the value of your content and positions you as an authority in your niche, helping to build trust with your audience.

2. Improved SEO Performance

Studies show that 40% of people stay longer on your blog if you provide detailed information. Search engines often favor longer content because it tends to be more informative and engaging. Long-form blogs typically have higher word counts, which can include more keywords and related terms naturally, increasing the chances of ranking higher in search results. Additionally, they often attract more backlinks, boosting your site’s authority.

3. Higher Engagement and Lower Bounce Rates

Longer articles tend to keep readers on your page longer, increasing engagement metrics such as time on page and interactions. This can lead to lower bounce rates, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable and relevant to users’ searches.

4. Enhanced Shareability

Comprehensive, well-researched long-form content is more likely to be shared on social media and linked to other websites. This broadens your reach and helps drive traffic back to your site, further enhancing your visibility and credibility within your industry.

Downsides of Long-Form Blogs

No wonder long-form blogs can be great to improve search engine ranking and reach more audience, however, they have some downsides that we have given below:

1. Time-Consuming to Produce

Creating long-form content requires significant time and effort for research, writing, and editing. This can be a challenge for bloggers or teams with tight schedules, potentially leading to less frequent content updates.

2. Risk of Losing Reader Interest

If not well-structured or engaging, long-form blogs can overwhelm readers, leading to disengagement or high bounce rates. If the content drags on without maintaining interest, readers may abandon it before reaching the conclusion.

3. SEO Challenges with Over-Optimization

Long-form content can sometimes lead to over-optimization, where the desire to meet word count results in keyword stuffing or irrelevant information. This can negatively impact SEO performance and diminish the quality of the content.

4. Difficult to Promote

Promoting long-form content can be more challenging than shorter pieces. Readers often prefer quick, digestible content, making it harder to capture attention and generate shares on social media. Crafting compelling snippets or summaries is crucial for effective promotion.

Final Thoughts

No wonder understanding the role of word count in SEO is crucial for creating effective content. Aim for a balance of quality, relevance, and depth to optimize your chances of ranking well in search engines. You must remember that search engines prefer quality over quantity, if you provide accurate information, precise details, and the most relevant answer to the user’s search query, your content will definitely perform well regardless of word count. However, it is essential to keep the blogs engaging and lengthy and add more details to it to beat the modern SEO competition.