Best Blog Post Length for SEO: How Many Words Rank on Google in 2025?

Ever wondered why some blogs shoot straight to the top of Google and others just linger in digital limbo? It's not magic, and it’s not luck—there’s real science behind how long your blog post should be if you want Google to give you some love. Spoiler: It’s not just about stuffing words. If you’re thinking more words always means better rankings, you could be in for a surprise. In 2025, Google’s algorithm is smarter than ever. So, what actually matters when it comes to blog length, and how do you figure out the sweet spot that both readers and search engines crave?

How Google Sees Content: The Truth Behind Word Count

There’s an endless debate about "ideal" blog length. Some folks swear by quick 500-word answers, while others publish 4,000-word behemoths. Here’s the real deal: Google doesn’t rank posts by simply counting words. Its bots are obsessed with quality, relevance, freshness, and user intent. Still, length isn’t irrelevant. Across hundreds of real-world ranking studies, posts ranking in the top three spots on Google tend to have more meat—data often shows an average of 1,600 to 2,500 words on page one. Backlinko, well-known for its in-depth SEO research, analyzed over 11 million search results in late 2024 and found the average word count for first-page results was 1,447. Now, that number has hovered around 1,500-2,000 for a while. But what matters most is whether your content fully answers what the searcher wants to know.

Let's take a look at common word counts for top-ranking content:

But Google’s not giving you a hall pass for writing fluff. No one wants to scroll forever before finding an answer. The search engine tracks time on page and bounce rate, so if people leave fast or don’t scroll down, Google gets the message: this post’s not helpful. Instead, it looks for signals that you’re providing unique info, trustworthy recommendations, real-world experience, or a fresh perspective. For example, let’s say you’re explaining how often to change a cat’s water bowl (speaking from Midnight’s point of view here). If you just give a quick "once a day," you’re missing a chance to shine. Go deeper—include reasons, what can happen if you don’t, easy tips—suddenly, your post stands out. The right length is the length that lets you completely solve the visitor’s problem, with just enough detail to inspire, instruct, or entertain.

Different Types of Content, Different Lengths

There’s no rule that fits every blog. Let’s break it down. Shorter posts, in the 500-800 word range, usually work best for simple, straight-to-the-point questions, like: “What’s the best time to post on Instagram in Australia?” But for competitive keywords (think: “how to start a blog that makes money”), it’s tough to outrank established sites with a thin answer. You need a longer, more comprehensive guide—aim for 2,000+ words. Research from Ahrefs and SEMrush consistently shows longer articles tend to get more backlinks, shares, and dwell time, which all send positive signals to Google.

Here are some rough guidelines:

• Best for quick answers or news updates: 300–800 words
• How-to guides and explainer posts: 1,500–2,500 words
• Ultimate guides, pillar posts for SEO: 2,000–4,000 words
• Lists or roundups: 1,200–2,500 words (more if the list is huge)

If you aim too short on a complex topic, readers might bounce. If you force yourself to write 3,000 words on something basic, you’ll bore people—and risk getting flagged as padded or even spammy. The trick? Match your blog’s length to what your audience and Google expects for that search term. Actually, you can test this. Google your target keyword. Open the top five results. What’s the average length? Can you do better—more useful, readable, fresher? There’s your target.

SEO tools like SurferSEO or Clearscope can reverse-engineer this for you. Plug in your keyword, and they’ll show an ideal length based on competing content. Think of it like checking the weather before planning your day. No need to guess—let the data guide you.

Other Factors That Matter Besides Just Length

You could have a 5,000-word article, but if it’s a waffling mess, Google isn’t impressed. The big G wants content that keeps folks engaged, not falling asleep. Formatting is your friend here: short paragraphs, juicy subheadings, clear bullet lists, and relevant images keep people scrolling. Remember, more than 70% of readers bounce if a post isn’t skimmable. So don’t chunk giant walls of text. Instead, use concise sentences and white space. Every heading should be a little invitation to read further. On mobile, this is even more important; nearly 65% of all blog reading now happens from a phone.

Beyond that, Google cares about:

• Topical authority: Are you covering lots of angles on this topic, showing you’re an expert?
• Freshness: Is your post updated with the newest info? If you quote a stat from 2019, Google notices.
• User experience: Fast load times, easy navigation, minimal pop-ups, and accessible design all help.
• On-page SEO: Use keywords (naturally), internal links, and relevant outbound links. Don’t spam!
• Engagement signals: Comments, shares, and especially time spent on your page matter.

Think of it like baking. Good ingredients (your info), the right recipe (structure), and the right serving size (word count for the topic). Miss any one, and the cake falls flat.

The most important blog post length for SEO is the amount it takes to really nail the search query—nothing less, nothing more. If you're writing about how to create a pet-friendly home, don’t just stop at basics. Throw in local resources (if you’re like me, in Sydney!), product reviews, tips, and personal stories. That’s what makes your article rank—and, honestly, what makes people care.

Actionable Tips: Find Your Perfect Blog Length for Google in 2025

Let’s cut through the noise with some solid steps for figuring out your ideal blog length—every time you sit down to write. Here’s how I do it, and it works for clients, personal blogs, and even small business sites.

1. Start with Search Intent: What’s the real reason someone is Googling this? Are they looking to buy, learn, compare, or just get an answer? Identify the intent and build your post around it.
2. Spy on the Competition: Google your main keyword. Note the word count, format (list? how-to? opinion?), level of detail, and media used in the top five results. This is your benchmark, not a limit. Ask: Where are they skimping? Can you add unique stories or missing subtopics?
3. Plan with an Outline: Map all possible questions someone has on the topic. Turn each into a section. If 700 words answers the query, don’t pad. If it needs 3,000, go for it—just keep it tight.
4. Write and Prune: Don’t stress about length for your first draft. Once done, cut repetitive words, tighten sentences, and make every section pull its weight. Ruthless editing beats word count chasing every single time.
5. Check with SEO Tools: Use SurferSEO, Clearscope, or a free tool like Frase’s outline grader to check if you’re within the normal range for your keyword and get ideas for missed subtopics.
6. Add Value, Not Filler: Real-world examples, data, and fresh updates beat filler text every time. Share your unique angle, research, or experience (like what it’s actually like blogging from a noisy Sydney suburb with a curious cat knocking over your tea every hour!).
7. Update Regularly: The web moves fast. Set a reminder to revisit your top-performing posts every six months. Add new stats, update steps, improve headlines, or embed new images. Google tracks freshness and nuts over updated content.

Stick to these and you’ll not only nail the ideal word count but also keep readers (and Google) coming back. Your perfect blog post length is a moving target. Aim for complete, well-structured, and engaging—for every topic, every time. And remember: good content solves the searcher’s problem, no matter if it takes 700 or 3,000 words. That’s how you rise above the noise, find your spot on page one, and actually make an impact.