Search engine optimization (SEO) techniques are constantly changing and it is important that we keep up.
A trend that was consistent throughout my research was content length. Industry experts say in 2020, not only should we focus on the quality of the content but we should also take into account the length of the content.
According to a SEMRUSH study, if you want to improve your rankings, you will not only need to work on the quality but also the quantity/length of the content. There have been numerous discussions to determine the ideal length of a blog post or a page.
Google prefers content-rich sites. So, typically a page that has between 2,416 words and 2,032 words.
Should We Stick to Long or Shorter Content?
According research, in the top 10 results for blog search, the average length of a page is minimum 2000 words. This shows that pages with longer high-quality content earn higher rankings, which then leads to higher visibility.
However, it is imperative that your content is able to expansively answer the queries that your readers may have. When you have lengthy and informative blogs or content, it helps increase the session time of the viewer, which also helps with improving your ranking.
Why Longer Content Matters
There are a number of reasons why longer/ detailed pages tend to rank better.
Firstly, more words means more authority, although this is not always the case.
Having more authority will lead to more visitors staying on the page longer and not having to leave to go elsewhere to find the information they need.
Additionally, longer content often has higher social engagement. All of the factors we mentioned indicates to Google that your page or blog has useful and substantive information.
Content Length Will Determine Search Rankings
It is a known fact that high-quality content plays a major role in beating your competition to page 1 ranking. However, you also need to consider the quantity alongside quality.
There has been a lot of debate around the ideal length of a blog post. And the consensus is that pages with long-form and high-quality enjoy more visibility.
Lengthy articles increase dwell time, informs Google or any other search engine that users enjoy your content. Additionally, you build authority and your ranking for the search query on Google increases.
Here Are Some Tips to help you Write Longer, Stronger Content
Now that you know why it’s important to write longer content, here are some tips on how you can achieve this.
Go Beyond the Keyword
So, firstly, you need to know what your readers want and make sure you deliver. In the first paragraph, it needs to be clear what the page is about and let your readers know why they should stay. You can add value to your content by anticipating their questions or by offering relevant or related information they didn’t even know they needed.
Write Readable Content
Simply put, do not use jargon. This will confuse your reader and that is not what you are trying to do. You need to get someone else, a copyeditor basically another set of eyes to let you know if what you have written makes sense. Your copy needs to be well edited before you send it off to the world.
Consider the Overall Experience
Make sure you have heading to separate the different aspects of your page. Headings are not just fancy SEO tool you use for ranking; they also play a huge role in the user-experience. Use headings to help your readers know what your page is about. Additionally, they give the brains and eyes s a break from walls of text.
Provide New Information
You need to offer something unique and valuable in your content. See what your competitors are doing to get an idea on what to write about but don’t steal their ideas. Find gaps in their content and do better.
Don’t Neglect Other SEO
Focusing only on writing lots of content for ranking high will not work if you neglect other SEO techniques. Writer longer content is not a quick fix for ranking. You need to use other technical SEO tactics and you will start to see change. Stay on top of the latest SEO trends and avoid getting left behind.