The Real Answer: There’s No Perfect Word Count (But There Is a Pattern)

If you’ve searched for “ideal blog post length,” you’ve probably seen everything from 500 words to 3,000+ words recommended as the “right” amount.

The truth is simpler:

There is no universal best word count for SEO.
The right length is the one that satisfies search intent better than competitors.

Still, one pattern shows up again and again:

Top-ranking pages tend to be long enough to answer the full query clearly and completely.

Not long for the sake of being long.
Long because the topic demands depth.

Let’s break down what this really means for bloggers, creators, and small businesses.

Why Word Count Still Matters (Even If Google Says It Doesn’t)

Technically, Google doesn’t rank pages because they are long.

But longer content usually:

  • covers more subtopics
  • answers more user questions
  • includes more semantic keywords
  • keeps readers on the page longer
  • reduces pogo-sticking (users bouncing back to Google for more info)

These are all behaviors and signals Google does care about.

If you want more context on how content length affects ranking, see:
👉 SEO Word Count: How Content Length Can Impact Your Ranking

Recommended Word Counts by Content Type

Instead of guessing, match your content length to the type of query.

Content Type Ideal Range Why
Local service pages 600–1,200 words Users want clarity and trust signals, not essays
How-to guides 1,000–1,800 words Steps, visuals, examples improve rankings
Product reviews 1,500–2,500 words Competitive space; depth is expected
Comparison posts 1,300–2,000 words Pros/cons, tables, examples take space
Topic hubs / pillar pages 2,000–4,000 words Designed to cover a topic comprehensively
Simple definitions 400–800 words Fast, direct answers perform best

The rule is simple:

Cover the topic better than the top three ranking pages.
That determines your real word count.

How to Find the Right Length by Looking at Competitors

Before writing anything, do this 30-second check:

  1. Google your keyword.
  2. Open the top 3 ranking articles.
  3. Copy their content.
  4. Paste it into the WordCount AI Text Analyzer.

👉 Try the Text Analyzer

You’ll instantly see:

  • total word count
  • readability score
  • paragraph structure
  • content depth

This tells you how much coverage Google already rewards.

If you want to rank, your content must match (or exceed) that depth.

Word Count Is Secondary — Search Intent Comes First

Even two articles with the same keyword may require different lengths depending on user intent.

Example 1: Quick, simple intent

“what is bounce rate”
→ Users want a short, clear definition
→ 400–700 words is ideal

Example 2: Deep, complex intent

“how to start a podcast”
→ Users need equipment lists, steps, examples, tools
→ 1,500–2,500 words performs best

If you want help identifying intent, run your draft through the SEO Analyzer:
👉 Check SEO Score + Intent Signals

Depth > Length: The Modern SEO Rule

Google rewards content that completes the job better than competitors.

Here’s how to judge content completeness:

✔ Does it cover core subtopics?
✔ Does it answer the questions users expect?
✔ Does it include related terms (semantic keywords)?
✔ Does it follow a logical structure?
✔ Does it use headings to make scanning easy?
✔ Does it avoid fluff or filler?

These signals matter far more than hitting a generic “ideal” word count.

To check completeness, use the semantic keyword suggestions in the SEO Analyzer:
👉 /seo-analysis

Real Example: Before and After Optimization

❌ Before (700 words)

  • Thin coverage
  • No examples
  • Keyword missing from H2 headings
  • Lacks semantic keywords
  • Only answers part of the query

✔ After (1,600 words)

Includes:

  • Step-by-step guidance
  • Examples and FAQs
  • Semantic keywords woven naturally
  • Clear scannable structure
  • Matching competitor depth

Result: Higher rankings, longer dwell time, more organic traffic.

Ideal Blog Lengths for SMBs and Creators

If you want a simple evergreen guideline:

  • Simple blog posts: 700–1,200 words
  • How-to content: 1,000–1,800 words
  • Local service pages: 800–1,200 words
  • Comparisons: 1,300–2,000 words
  • Reviews: 1,500–2,500 words
  • Pillar content: 2,000+ words

But remember:

The correct length is however long it takes to cover user intent fully — not a number chosen in advance.

How to Find the Perfect Length in Under 5 Minutes

Step 1: Check what currently ranks

Search your keyword. Open the top 3 pages.

Step 2: Analyze their structure

Paste competitor content into the Text Analyzer:
👉 /text-analysis

Step 3: Draft your article

Write enough to cover the gaps you see.

Step 4: Grade your draft

Use the SEO Analysis Tool to check:

  • grade
  • semantic keywords
  • missing subtopics
  • readability issues

👉 /seo-analysis

Step 5: Improve and re-analyze

Step 6: Publish confidently

FAQ: Blog Length & SEO (Evergreen)

Is word count a ranking factor?

No. Google doesn’t rank pages by length, but depth often requires more words.

Can short posts still rank?

Yes — if the topic calls for brevity.

Should all blog posts be long?

No. Length should match user intent.

Is AI-written content penalized?

No. Only low-quality or thin content is penalized — regardless of who wrote it.

Conclusion: Stop Counting Words — Start Covering Topics

The question shouldn’t be:
“How long should my post be?”

The real question is:
“What does the reader expect, and how fully can I answer it?”

WordCount AI helps you figure that out in minutes with:

  • instant text analysis
  • SEO grading
  • semantic keyword suggestions
  • readability checks

Start optimizing your next post here:
👉 Get Your Free SEO Report Card