If you’re a business owner trying to grow your visibility online, blogging can be one of your most effective marketing tools. But one of the most common questions we hear is:
“How long should my blog posts be?”
The answer depends on your goals—whether you’re looking to rank higher on Google, improve engagement with your audience, get featured in AI-generated search results, or become a trusted source of knowledge in your field.
In this guide, we break down how blog post length (and structure) affects performance—and how to write articles that actually help your readers.
Don’t Write Just for Google—Write to Help People
It’s tempting to write content only to check off SEO boxes. But if your blog post doesn’t teach your audience something or offer real value, it won’t perform well—regardless of length.
A good blog should help your ideal customer solve a problem, answer a question, or make a better decision.
If someone reads your article and feels like they’ve learned something, they’re far more likely to trust your brand, return to your site, and take action—whether that’s booking a service, signing up for your newsletter, or making a purchase.
Search engines (and AI tools) reward useful, clear, and well-structured content. So always start with your customer in mind—not the algorithm.
How Blog Post Length Affects Results
Different lengths work better depending on what you want to achieve:
If You Want to Rank Higher on Google (SEO): 1,000 to 1,500 words
Longer content often performs better in search results because it:
- Covers the topic more thoroughly
- Naturally includes a variety of keywords
- Attracts backlinks from other websites
- Gets shared and saved more often
Best for:
- Service pages with detailed information
- “How-to” guides
- Blog posts that explore a subject from multiple angles
If You Want to Educate and Engage Readers: 600 to 900 words
Shorter blogs can still offer a lot of value—especially if your readers are on the go or want a quick answer. These posts are easier to read on mobile and better for audiences with limited time.
Best for:
- FAQs
- Light educational tips
- Personal insight or opinion pieces
If You Want to Build Authority: 1,500 to 2,500+ words
When you want to become a go-to source in your industry, longer content is a must. These comprehensive articles build trust and help your business show up for more related searches.
Best for:
- Pillar content (in-depth pages that link to related articles)
- Industry trend reports
- Step-by-step guides or tutorials
How AI Tools Choose Blog Content
Google’s AI Overviews and other AI-driven search features are changing the game. These tools look for content that:
- Clearly answers questions
- Is well-organized
- Uses easy-to-read formatting
To improve your chances of being included in AI-generated results:
- Put a direct, accurate answer near the top of the article
- Use subheadings that match what people search (like “How much does ___ cost?”)
- Keep the first few sentences of each section concise
- Avoid filler—get to the point
Structuring Your Blog Post for Readers and Search Engines
Even if you’re not an SEO expert, how you organize your blog post matters just as much as the content itself. A good structure makes it easier for your audience to read and easier for search engines to understand.
Here’s a simple, proven way to format your blog:
- Start with a clear headline
- Use subheadings to divide your content (like mini chapters)
- Keep paragraphs short — no more than 2–4 sentences
- Use bullet points or numbered lists to highlight key takeaways
- Answer key questions near the top of each section so busy readers get value fast
This format improves readability on mobile and helps both Google and AI tools identify the most useful parts of your article.
Best Word Count Range for Most Business Blogs: 800 to 1,200 Words
For most local businesses and service providers, this is the sweet spot:
- It’s long enough to be informative and SEO-friendly
- It’s short enough to keep readers’ attention
- It works well on mobile devices and in AI-generated answers
Final Thoughts: Focus on Value First, Length Second
There’s no magic number for blog word count. The right length depends on your topic, your audience, and your goals.
But one thing is always true:
If your blog post helps someone, answers a question clearly, and is easy to read—it has a much better chance of ranking, getting shared, and converting visitors into customers.
Need Help Creating Content That Ranks and Converts?
At The Three Marketers, we don’t just write for search engines—we create blog content that builds trust, educates your audience, and grows your business. Contact us today to get help with your blog strategy. We’ll help you pick the right format, structure, and word count to meet your goals and stay ahead of search trends.
