How much content do I need before posting a blog?

When SEO first started out, large amounts of content weren't as necessary as heavy optimization with keyword filler and a massive quantity of links, but these techniques are outdated. Google likes an even balance of quantity and quality, with plenty of fresh, original content that engages visitors while utilizing effective SEO methods.

The amount of content a blog post should contain may vary depending on the amount of information available about a certain topic. Typically, a blog post of 1,000 words or more will rank better than a shorter blog post that doesn't cover a topic as extensively.

How Content Length Affects Organic Rankings

There are several reasons why the length of a blog post is a crucial element of SEO. The simplest explanation is that Google likes longer content because it allows it more easily understand what your content is about. The more information there is, the more context there is, resulting in a higher chance of ranking for terms related to the topic, even if you're not necessarily targeting them.

Unlike the old days of keyword stuffing practices, lengthy content places an emphasis on producing fresh content with natural instances of keywords appearing throughout the text. Google will pick up these particular keyword instances and incorporate them in organic rankings.

In fact, one of the main benefits of writing longer content is that you have a better chance at ranking for long-tail variations of broad keywords that competitors may not have ever discovered. Because of this, along with other relevant keywords, Google may place you higher in rankings for these keywords in addition to others.

How to Keep Long Blog Posts Consistently Readable

The main problem with longer content is maintaining readability. You need to make sure that your content is structured in a way that keeps readers engaged all the way through to the end of the post. If people are leaving your blog post before reaching the conclusion, they're not as likely to share the post on social media or other outlets to help boost traffic.

In some cases with longer posts, you may want to include an index that takes readers to certain areas of the post. This makes it easier for readers to navigate your post, rather than forcing them to read all the way through it to reach a specific part.

You should also keep paragraphs clear and concise, with plenty of subheadings to break up the content when appropriate. Try to avoid passive voice, and don't use long sentences with challenging vocabulary that might lose some readers.

In some cases, you may not be able to reach 1,000 words in a blog post, either because of a lack of information available regarding a specific topic or because you're uncomfortable writing longer pieces. The best way to make sure your blog post still ranks is to stay over 300 words, but try to target between 700-800 words if possible. The higher the competition is for a topic, the more you'll need to write to stay ahead.