Backlinks are the golden goose of SEO, driving traffic and boosting your site’s authority. But what’s the magic word count for attracting backlink riches?
Neil Patel to the rescue! His recent research reveals some insightful “sweet spots” for maximizing backlinks while keeping your audience engaged. So, grab your notepad as we dive into the numbers and explore the optimal length for SEO content.
How Long Should Content Be For SEO?
According to Patel, content between 1,001 and 3,500 words is most likely to snag those coveted backlinks. Here’s the breakdown:
- 1,001-1,500 words: A solid starting point, offering enough depth to attract links without rambling.
- 1,501-2,000 words: The sweet spot! These articles tend to generate the highest backlink rates.
- 3,001-3,500 words: Going long? Focus on exceptional quality and value to justify the increased word count.
But wait, there’s more! Quality remains king, regardless of word count. A 1,000-word masterpiece will always outperform a 3,000-word snoozefest.
Finding Your Content Goldilocks Zone
The ideal word count depends on your audience and goals. Consider these factors:
- Target audience: What kind of content do they consume and how much time do they typically spend reading?
- Content goals: Are you aiming for backlinks, conversions, or brand awareness?
- Industry trends: Research the average word count for your niche to see what resonates with readers.
What Does Google Say About Content Length?
While longer content often wins the backlink battle, there’s a curious trend brewing. Google Trends shows a decrease in average article word count across industries. Short-form content like videos and reels is booming, influencing written content too.
So, is long content going extinct? Don’t panic! Patel’s research still shines a light on the backlink potential of longer pieces. He suggests Google might favor shorter content in search results, but backlinks seem to prefer substance over brevity.
Content Creators, Take Note!
Here’s how to rock the content game, regardless of word count:
- Get to the point quickly: Ditch the longwinded intros and dive straight into value.
- Clarity is key: Use concise language and avoid jargon. Your audience will thank you.
- Structure for scannability: Break up your text with headings, subheadings, and bullet points.
- Visualize your message: Images and videos add visual interest and enhance understanding.
- Refine your work: Edit ruthlessly to ensure every sentence packs a punch.
The Takeaway
There’s no one-size-fits-all word count for SEO success. Instead, find the sweet spot that balances value, engagement, and backlink-worthy content for your specific audience and industry.
Remember, quality always trumps quantity. So, craft compelling content that informs, engages, and inspires, and the backlinks will follow!
By following these tips and conducting further research on your specific industry, you can confidently create content that’s optimized for both readers and backlinks. Remember, the magic lies in balancing engaging content with the sweet spots for word count identified by Neil Patel’s research.
Here’s the original post:
Will writing longer-form content get you more backlinks?
— Neil Patel (@neilpatel) December 3, 2023
We looked at 10,000 popular articles around the web.
We based “popular” off search traffic and social shares.
The reason we selected popular articles is because articles that aren’t popular in many cases have little to… pic.twitter.com/1NmfO8z8Yd
