What’s the Ideal Blog Post Length for SEO?
What’s the Ideal Blog Post Length for SEO?
Blog Article
What’s the Ideal Blog Post Length for SEO?
By Leslie Jones, Senior SEO Consultant at Adore SEO, Cardiff
Let’s be honest — in the world of SEO, word count debates can spark more drama than a Cardiff derby. One agency says “keep it short and sweet,” while another churns out 5,000-word essays every week. So what’s the truth? How long should your blog posts actually be?
Here at Adore SEO, we’ve helped everyone from high-street retailers to top-tier law firms boost visibility and climb Google’s ranks. We don’t just guess — we analyse, test, and adapt. And the reality is: yes, word count matters, but not in isolation.
So, does word count affect SEO?
In short: absolutely. But it’s not about quantity alone. It's about pairing length with purpose, authority, and user value.
According to a 2024 SEMrush study, the average word count of pages that rank in the top three search results is around 1,447 words. That’s no accident. Longer content tends to offer deeper insight, keep users on-page longer, and earn more backlinks — all powerful SEO signals.
That said, simply padding content won’t help. Google’s ranking algorithms (especially under its EEAT framework — Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) can spot fluff from a mile off.
How long should blog content be in 2025?
Let’s break it down by type:
Short-form blogs (300–700 words): These are fine for quick updates or news flashes, but rarely rank well for competitive terms.
Mid-length content (750–1,200 words): The sweet spot for most blog posts. Long enough to develop ideas, short enough to keep attention.
Long-form blogs (1,500–3,000+ words): Ideal for pillar content or evergreen guides that aim to dominate high-value search terms.
At Adore SEO, we generally recommend aiming for a minimum of 1,000 quality words per blog — assuming the topic warrants that depth. If you're covering a complex or high-competition subject, 2,000+ words might be necessary.
What about product or service pages?
For service pages or product listings, shorter content can work — but not too short. Pages with under 300 words typically underperform.
Instead, aim for 500–1,000 words that clearly describe the offering, answer customer queries, and show Google that you know your stuff. Supplement with FAQs, customer reviews, and comparison tables where appropriate.
Quality > Word Count, Every Time
Let’s be clear: your goal should never be to hit a word count just for the sake of it. Every sentence must add value.
That’s why Google introduced EEAT. If your content demonstrates genuine experience, is written by a knowledgeable author, and offers trustworthy insights, it will almost always outperform shallow copy — regardless of length.
So if you’re writing a blog about, say, choosing the right local solicitor, make sure it sounds like it came from someone who’s been there, done that, and helped dozens of clients do the same.
Keyword use has evolved — don’t stuff, strategise
There was a time when jamming “Cardiff plumber” into a sentence 12 times would shoot you to the top of Google. These days? You’ll just get penalised.
Today’s SEO is about semantic relevance. Use your primary keyword naturally — and surround it with supporting terms (LSI keywords) that help Google understand the context. For example, if you're writing about "organic skincare," related phrases like “paraben-free,” “natural ingredients,” or “eco-friendly packaging” add depth and relevance.
Structure matters more than you think
A solid blog structure is your best mate. Use clear headings, subheadings, bullet points, and visuals to break things up.
Think of it like a Cardiff Bay coffee shop menu — no one wants to dig through an essay to find the oat milk lattes. Make it skimmable, easy to follow, and easy on the eye.
Long-form & evergreen = SEO gold
Longer blogs perform well not just because of their word count, but because they signal investment and authority.
According to HubSpot, companies that blog with consistent long-form, evergreen content see 3.5x more traffic than those that don't. So if you want to rank for competitive searches like “SEO agency Cardiff” or “digital marketing tips 2025,” you’ll need more than 500 words and a nice header image.
You’ll need depth, data, and a reason for someone to stick around — and link to you.
Final Word from Cardiff
At Adore SEO, we’re not in the business of content for content’s sake. We build high-performing blog strategies tailored to your sector, your audience, and your goals. Whether it’s a punchy 800-word how-to or a 3,000-word cornerstone guide, every piece is written with purpose, authority, and Google’s ranking signals in mind.
Need help building blog content that actually moves the needle? Get in touch with Adore SEO — Cardiff’s trusted voice in all things content, SEO, and digital growth.