How Many Words for SEO in 2026? A Practical, Data-Guided Guide
Most page 1 SEO blog posts land around 1,800–2,400 words, but word count alone won’t help you rank.
The real goal is simple: match search intent, then use the space to deliver clear structure, strong coverage, and clean writing.
👉 Run a free grade on your content → /seo-analysis
Why word count still matters (even if it’s not a ranking factor)
Google doesn’t rank pages because they hit a specific number. Word count matters because it often correlates with:
- coverage (answering the full question, plus the obvious follow-ups)
- structure (clear sections, headings, scannability)
- engagement (people stay, scroll, and find what they came for)
If you want the foundational take, see Does word count matter for SEO.
Word count ranges by page type
Use these ranges as a starting point, then validate against what already ranks for your keyword.
| Page Type | Common Range | What Matters Most |
|---|---|---|
| Blog posts | 1,800–2,400 | intent match + complete answers |
| Landing pages | 500–800 | clarity + proof + fast CTA |
| Product pages | 300–500 | scannable benefits + objections |
| Pillar pages | 3,000–5,000+ | authority + internal linking |
👉 Run a free grade on your content → /seo-analysis
For a tighter version focused on “page type” ranges, see SEO Word Count By Page Type.
The only reliable method: benchmark what already ranks
Instead of guessing, do this:
- Search your keyword.
- Open the top 3–5 organic results.
- Compare:
- word count
- headings (H2/H3 structure)
- subtopics covered
- clarity (is it readable fast?)
Then aim to publish the page that is:
- easier to scan
- more complete
- more direct
If you want to speed this up, use your grader:
👉 Run a free grade on your content → /seo-analysis
Content type guidance (quick but useful)
Blog posts
Longer tends to win when the query is:
- “how to”
- “best”
- “guide”
- “examples”
- “strategy”
But don’t add filler. Add:
- examples
- steps
- mini-checklists
- short tables
Landing pages
Landing pages win with:
- one clear promise
- proof
- a fast path to action
- tight sections
If a page is stuck, it’s usually structure, not length.
Product pages
Product pages should stay tight, but still answer:
- who it’s for
- what it does
- what changes after using it
- common objections
FAQ sections often do more than another paragraph of copy.
Common mistakes
- Writing long pages with weak structure
- Chasing a number instead of answering the query
- Ignoring intent (blog post when the SERP wants product pages)
- Skipping clarity edits (long sentences, walls of text)
If you’re editing for clarity, pair this with How to improve your writing with readability analysis.
Final takeaway
Word count is guidance, not a target.
Get the intent right, make it easy to scan, cover the topic fully, and remove fluff.