How Long Should a Blog Post Be?

With search engines in constant flux, it’s easy to feel like your blog posts need a little extra oomph. Maybe more research, including quotes, stats, and journal articles — the works. Or perhaps more definitions for those still somewhat baffling AI overviews. And definitely more keywords to bring in traffic. But you can’t keyword stuff, so you'd better add another paragraph or two to space them out. 

Before you know it, that simple blog post is longer than a Draco Malfoy fanfic, and you’ve been squinting at your laptop for days. But at least your audience loves it, right? 

Not necessarily. Writing more isn’t always better, especially if you’re just rambling or talking about the wrong things. And everyone seems to have a shorter attention span these days.

So, how long should a blog post be in 2025? There’s no set rule. It all comes down to the subject, the value you’re giving, and, most importantly, what your audience actually wants.

Benchmarks (Not Rules) That Actually Help

Learning how to write your blog posts effectively starts with choosing the perfect length. Without this step, you might add too much filler or, even worse, leave out key information. 

To Boost SEO

Search engine algorithms have sky-high expectations for blog posts. Google, for instance, rewards authoritative and trustworthy content written by experts. That’s a lot of boxes to check in each piece. 

For search engine optimization (SEO), aim for around 1,500 to 2,500 words per blog post. This provides you with sufficient space to share in-depth information without straying into encyclopedia territory. 

Plus, longer posts let you add a reasonable number of keywords and internal links to make your content easier to find. Just don’t get too carried away. A jumble of odd keywords — like “horse brush affordable” and “does horse need haircut” — will only hurt your SEO ranking. 

For Engagement

Sometimes, you care more about hooking humans than algorithms. Grab their attention with snappy blog posts of 800 to 1,500 words. 

This length is perfect for skimming, especially on a smartphone. It’s also easy for readers to share with friends who might not want to commit to an enormous article. 

Resist the urge to go too short, though. A blog of 500 words might seem like the perfect bite-sized read, but it probably doesn’t give you enough space to talk about your topic with nuance. 

By Content Type

Genre also plays a huge role in content length, just like it does for novels. That's why you won’t find many romance books as long as a Game of Thrones saga. 

Quick news items often range from 600 to 1,000 words. A comparison post — like “Apple vs. Samsung” — is also typically concise, with 1,000 to 1,800 words being the norm. That way, readers can easily see how different products or brands stack up.

Thought leadership pieces work best at 1,200 to 2,000 words. That’s enough space to share your hard-won wisdom without getting too lecture-y. And how-to guides are typically the meatiest of all, with word counts of 1,500 to 3,000 or even longer. Be sure to add images or even a short video so your audience can follow along. 

Factors That Drive Ideal Length

Okay, so you’ve seen a few broad ranges for different content formats. But how long should a good blog post be for your website specifically? Like basically everything in marketing, the answer is: It depends. Sorry.

Content quality is a big part of the equation. Obviously, you want all your blog posts to be stellar. But not every topic is equally complex or deep. 

For instance, a lighthearted post about the best squeaky toys doesn’t need much detail. Are the toys cute and sturdy enough for a Rottweiler to play with? That’s probably enough to satisfy most readers. Pillar pages can also be relatively short. They cover general concepts and link to a spiderweb of in-depth pages.  Meanwhile, medical conditions and technology are usually more complex. Try explaining diabetes in 500 words, and you risk leaving out life-saving information. 

Consider your target audience, too. Passionate hobbyists don’t need as much context, but they often relish long-form content. For example, a 2,000-word post with campfire cooking anecdotes and tips is a backpacker’s dream.  But casual browsers just want the gist — no elaborate backstory, thanks. 

Building on that, try to predict what readers want from your content based on their search intent. Someone searching for “what to feed a hamster” wants an informational guide, while “hamster food near me” is clearly transactional.

You should also explore your competitors’ content creation strategies. If the top-ranking how-to guide is a juicy 3,000 words, don’t try to get away with 1,000. Clearly, there’s a lot of ground to cover. 

And don’t be afraid to mix up your formats. Adding images and videos can enhance the user experience, encouraging readers to continue scrolling. 

Start With Intent: Map Length to the Reader’s Job-To-Be-Done

Given the extreme variation in average content length from one search term to the next, there’s only one solution. Content length should be based on the keyword being targeted.

With more customers glued to video and AI, it’s natural to wonder, “Is blogging still relevant?” The answer is yes, but only if your blog posts help readers accomplish something. 

Figure out what your audience wants to achieve when they land on your site. A shopper researching a pricy Christmas gift might relish a 2,000-word product comparison that lays out all the specs. Meanwhile, a prospect interested in your services may only need a 1,000-word case study to buy confidently. 

Keyword research can help you make an educated guess about your readers’ intentions. For example, a blog post related to “dead car battery” should be snappy — people stranded in parking lots need advice ASAP. But someone searching for “best video editing software” may love an in-depth guide. 

Quality Signals Over Word Count

It’s tempting to focus on length as you create a blog post strategy, but don’t forget about the rest of the equation. No matter how long your content is, it should still be meaningful and, most of all, good. 

Outline your content structure before you start writing. Organize information neatly with H2s and H3s so readers can easily navigate to the content they need. Bullet points and a smattering of bold text will also make your content more scannable. 

Once you’re ready to draft, aim for a mix of original insights and research. That mortifying client mix-up or a lesson you learned the hard way is great blogging material. Just back up your stories with some strategic citations from reputable sources.

Visuals matter, too. A few professional photos can help break up walls of text and intrigue visual learners. 

How To Determine Blog Length by Goal

Along with your audience’s goals, consider what you want your content marketing to accomplish. These objectives will help you determine how much to write. 

Rank & Earn Links

In the discovery phase, it’s all about getting attention. Longer, in-depth blogs will make your site a go-to resource for both search engines and humans. 

Boost your ranking by discussing all the relevant entities, such as products and people, and adding an FAQs section. You can also take a look at related queries and include the answers in your post. 

Successful content creators often link to genuinely useful, detailed posts. This tells the algorithms that your content is valuable, boosting your ranking. It’s free blog post promotion. 

Convert Readers 

The last thing you want to do is distract — or bore — your audience before they can make a purchase. Keep your mid- and bottom-funnel content short and free of fluff. Address all the typical objections from prospects, like “Will this actually solve my problem?” Short comparisons and case studies of 1,500 words or less also build trust quickly.

Thought Leadership 

Give yourself enough space to express your brand voice and explain your points clearly. Simple arguments may only need 1,000 words to unpack, while more complex ones could require triple that. 

Metrics To Validate You Chose the Right Length

Don’t just assume that you’ve landed on the correct word count. Use data to determine if you’re reaching your goals, or if it’s time to go back to the drawing board. 

Trying to climb the search rankings? Track progress with these metrics:

• Backlinks
• Clicks
• Impressions
• Query coverage
• Rankings

For engagement, look at how long your visitors spend on the page and how far they scroll. The click-through rate (CTR) to linked posts also gives clues about engagement. A high rate means they love your voice and can’t get enough of it. 

If boosting conversions is a priority, monitor how many people click your call-to-action (CTA) button. You should also count assisted conversions, such as the number of sales each post helped you generate. 

Use this data to find the sweet spot for your blog posts. If people start scrolling but abandon the page halfway, your content may be too long. But if you get a lot of clicks to other pages, readers are clearly hungry for more information.  

Elevate Your Blog Strategy With Proven SEO Expertise

Using the same word count for all your blog posts may seem tempting, but that simplicity comes at a cost. Without adjusting your content length, some posts will be way too long, while too-short ones leave readers with more questions than answers. 

Considering your audience’s needs and interests will help you find the right length. Once you’ve got a number in mind, you can hire content writers to handle the heavy lifting. At Composely, our experienced writers assist with everything from keyword research to SEO optimization. 

Get in touch to learn more about how we can help you grow your blog.