How to Determine the Best Content Length for SEO

What’s the best content length for SEO? That’s probably one of the most asked questions of online marketers and content creators.

As you might expect, the magic number varies quite a bit depending on whom you ask. Don’t worry, though. I’m here to help by sharing some ballpark numbers to aim for.

Let’s start with some research from Hook Agency, which claims the best content length for SEO in 2023 is between 1,760 and 2,400 words:

Let’s face it. That’s a lot of copy. So, here’s another question: Is all that effort you put into writing your awesome posts worthwhile?

For many of us, it takes a solid two or three hours to create a piece of good content that approaches the 2,000-word mark.

Is more content better for SEO? Or are you wasting your time?

Few people can plop in their chairs, bust out a 2,000-word article in an hour, and get on with their day.

Could it be that your 2,000-word articles aren’t even worth the time and effort you put into them? I’ll answer that question for you.

Then, I’ll give you a surefire formula for not wasting your time when you write articles—a powerful method to help your articles rank on top.

If you’re ready to stop wasting time, start ranking high, and optimize your content length for SEO, read on.

Long vs. Short-Form Content: What Works Best?

Here’s a short answer: It depends on your goal.

Every piece of content you publish has a different purpose.

Long-form content (usually over 1,000 words) can be great for in-depth articles, guides, and white papers. This type of content allows you to dive deep into a topic, provide valuable insights, and showcase your knowledge and expertise.

Additionally, long-form content tends to perform better in search engines, but that doesn’t mean Google favors higher word counts.

On the other hand, short-form content (300 to 600 words) can be great for social media posts, certain blog posts, and email newsletters. Short-form content lets you convey a message quickly and succinctly. It’s also more shareable.

Now, if you’re talking about content length and SEO, the answer’s a little more complex.

Ahrefs suggests you should be asking what length best satisfies searchers’ needs.

According to Ahrefs, the best content length for SEO depends on what’s ranking. You also need to look at what format is ranking (for example, guides, listicles, or tutorials). From there, you can create a search-focused outline by identifying content gaps.

Ahrefs has a keyword explorer tool to help with this, but you may prefer to use Ubersuggest.

Aside from SEO, creating content that resonates with your target audience, provides value, and aligns with your goals is essential.