Blog Post Length for SEO: Find the Word Count That Ranks

Ever wonder why some posts climb to the top while others hover down there? A big part of it is how long the article is. Google doesn’t have a magic number, but data from 2025 shows clear patterns.

What the Numbers Say

Studies of top‑ranking pages across niches reveal three sweet spots:

• Short and sharp: 500‑800 words work well for quick answers, listicles, or news updates.
• Mid‑range deep dives: 1,200‑1,800 words hit the sweet spot for how‑to guides and product reviews.
• Long‑form authority pieces: 2,500‑3,500 words dominate in evergreen topics like "ultimate guides" or "complete tutorials".

Why do these ranges matter? Google looks at dwell time, depth, and how well the content matches user intent. Too short, and the page may not satisfy the query. Too long, and readers might skim or bounce if the content isn’t organized.

How to Choose the Right Length for Your Post

Start with the search intent. If the query is "how to change a tire," a concise 600‑word guide that steps through each action is enough. For something like "best WordPress plugins for SEO 2025," aim for 1,500‑2,000 words that compare options, give pros and cons, and include screenshots.

Next, outline your points before you write. Count the headings you need – each heading usually translates to 150‑250 words. If you end up with six headings, you’re looking at roughly 1,200‑1,500 words.

Don’t forget to break up long posts. Use clear sub‑headings, bullet lists, and short paragraphs. A 2,500‑word article should feel like a series of bite‑size chunks, not a wall of text.

Finally, test and iterate. Publish a post at your chosen length, monitor bounce rate and average time on page, then adjust future drafts based on what the data tells you.

Bottom line: there’s no one‑size‑fits‑all word count, but aiming for the three ranges above and matching the length to user intent will give you a solid SEO edge.