How long should a blog post be?
In SEO circles the “perfect” word count sparks endless debate. Some marketers insist 700 words is enough; meanwhile many top-ranking agencies publish 3,000- to 5,000-word guides. As UK consultants who write everything from bathtub descriptions to legal thought-leadership, we’ve learned that length does matter—but only in harmony with quality, structure, and purpose.
Why word count still matters
Think of word count as the rhythm, not the melody. Google has never issued a magic number, yet its algorithms correlate depth with authority: longer pages often secure more backlinks, cover more search intents, and keep readers engaged long enough to send positive dwell-time signals. A thin 700-word overview seldom “cuts the mustard” for competitive queries. A 3,000-word, expert-written article that satisfies Google’s EE-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) criteria can.
Match length to content type
Content type
Typical sweet spot
Why
Product pages
300–600 words plus specs
Users want quick clarity and benefits.
Standard blog posts
750–1,500 words
Enough space to answer a question thoroughly without exhausting casual readers.
In-depth guides & case studies
2,000–5,000 words
Competes for national keywords, gathers backlinks, demonstrates leadership.
White papers / reports
5,000–10,000+ words
Designed for authority, data, and long-tail search coverage.