If you create content for your business, it’s likely you’ve wondered – how long should a blog post be for SEO and engagement?
The truth is, there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all answer, but there are best practices backed by data and strategy. And for businesses, marketers and website owners, the right blog length can be the difference between ranking first on Google’s search results and being buried under competitors.
At Maxweb, we help businesses create content that balances quantity, quality, SEO and user experience. In this blog, we’ll explore why blog length matters, what the ideal word count is and how you can make your posts perform better.
Does Blog Length Matter?
Blog length isn’t just about filling space. It has an impact on SEO, user engagement, and, therefore, (indirectly) your brand authority. For starters, search engines, like Google, typically favour longer and more in-depth content that thoroughly answers user queries. This is because longer form blogs (like this one!) can cover topics more comprehensively, and therefore have a greater chance of ranking for multiple keywords and search phrases.
Readers want real value, so if your blog is solving a problem efficiently and providing them with the information they’re looking for, they’ll probably stay longer. The time someone spends on your website pages and relevant engagement signals (like clicking links) also boosts your website’s ranking.
Longer posts also help to position your brand as an expert. They’re shareable, link-worthy and perfect for evergreen content strategies. What’s more, as Google continues to refine its Helpful Content Update and EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness guidelines), it seems quality and depth are going to actually matter more than ever.
What’s the Ideal Blog Length for SEO?
Google hasn’t published an exact number, but research and industry data have given us some insights. According to SEMrush, high-performing blogs typically range from 1,500 to 2,500 words. But why?
- Longer content allows for more keyword diversity and topic depth
- There is more opportunity for backlinks – a critical ranking factor
- Internal linking to related services and external links to trusted sources is often easier
That said, quality does beat word count. A well-structured and concise 800-word guide can outperform a waffling and complicated-to-follow 2,000-word blog. Your goal should always be to satisfy the search intent quickly and effectively, instead of meeting a specific number of words.
Different Blog Lengths for Different Purposes
Not every blog requires 2,000 words. For example, short blogs of around 300-600 words are ideal for company news, quick updates and announcements. These can be easily shared and are especially useful for time-sensitive content. Medium blogs (800-1,200 words) are perfect for lists, how-to guides and introductory topics. It provides the writer with enough space to answer specific questions in detail without overwhelming the reader. For pillar content and evergreen resources, choose long-form articles (2,000+ words). These can become future reference points for your audience and are very beneficial when it comes to SEO authority building.
For best results, we recommend a strong content strategy that combines all three types of blog lengths. That way, you can cover user intent at all stages of the buyer’s journey.
Top Tips for Writing Effective Blog Posts
No matter the length of your blog, you should consider:
- Readability: Your H2 and H3 headings, bullet points and short paragraphs are really important for user experience.
- Visuals: Images, infographics, and videos can help you improve engagement.
- Keywords: Avoid stuffing keywords into your content, just scatter them naturally.
- Linking: Internal and external links (if relevant) should be used. Think relevant service pages, reference studies, official guidelines and reputable sources.
- Meta titles and descriptions: Very underestimated and important for subtly influencing click-through rates.
Does Blog Length Affect Conversions?
While SEO and ranking are important for your business, the ultimate goal of your blog post is likely to be conversion. For example, a newsletter sign-up, a product purchase or even just an enquiry. Longer blogs help to build trust and authority. This can lead to higher conversion rates, especially for complex products and services. But, if your audience is looking for a quick answer, such as service details or pricing information, a shorter and more direct blog could convert better. This is why it’s crucial to match the blog length with the user intent.
To do this effectively, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the reader in the research stage? If so, long-form and educational content works best.
- Is the reader ready to buy? Short and benefit-driven content with clear CTAs may perform better.
There is another thing to consider, though: social sharing. In fact, the length of your blog can influence how often your content gets shared. Studies show that long-form posts tend to get shared more frequently because they offer more insights and are therefore perceived to be more valuable. That’s not to say that short and punchy posts don’t go viral. In the past, we’ve seen those who deliver quick tips and trending news perform very well.
The key thing to remember is to make your content useful. Think engaging headlines, shareable visuals and memorable quotes. Shareability comes down to relevance and value, not blog length.
Quality Over Quantity
Ultimately, your blog posts should be long enough to provide value. For most businesses, this typically ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 words. But your ultimate goal should be meeting user intent and delivering actionable insights. If you’re serious about SEO and content marketing success, however, partnering with a team of experts can help you. This is where we come in, crafting strategies that combine quality, structure and SEO optimisation with the aim of boosting both rankings and conversions.
Ready to level up your content? Explore our SEO services and get in touch. More than just about the strategy, we can also take care of the creation and writing of your blog posts so that you can sit back and enjoy what you do best.
Posted on Monday, September 1st, 2025 in SEO.
