What should be the ideal length of web content for better SEO results? Some marketers claim that the quality of information and backlinks are more important than the number of words. However, others argue that search engines view low word-count content as thin and do not rank it well. While word count is not directly linked to SEO ranking, it is still a factor you should consider. In this article, we will discuss why word counts matter and how the length of your articles can influence your rankings directly and indirectly.
Here we have compiled a few word count tips to improve SEO and user experience:
Longer Content is Better
The best SEO advice is to aim for at least 300 words per page. Chances are search engines and users may not get enough information if your web content is shorter than this.
Even though there is no universal agreement as to what the perfect word count should be, some general guidelines should be followed. Generally, long-form content performs better than short-form content regarding engagement rates and rankings.
If you look closely at it, there is a great deal of logic to this. The Google algorithm and page rank determines your page’s content by analyzing the search intent it addresses. Longer pieces help Google do that. Still, quality remains a massive factor in determining SEO success because stuffing the content with irrelevant data to make it long negatively impacts rankings.
Build Backlinks to Improve Content and Ranking
Building backlinks is essential to improving your website’s visibility and content in search engine rankings. Your content must be high quality, informative, and shareable so that others will be willing to link to it.
Can more content length help you with earning backlinks? As a matter of fact, yes, longer content usually provides more helpful information to the readers. After optimizing web content, you can ask other websites in your niche or industry to link to your content by contacting them. This, in turn, leads to more backlinks being generated for your website.
A study by Ahrefs in 2020 analyzed several web pages and found that the average number of referring domains and word count were highly correlated.
Strive To Satisfy the Search Intent
You have noticed that in recent years for every search, Google generates featured snippets through schema markup to provide users with exact answers to avoid a scrolling marathon. Writing longer content without considering its usability can do more harm than good.
Users enter search queries into search engines with a specific intent or goal. They may be searching for information, seeking assistance with a problem, or making a purchase, for example. Therefore, website content should match users’ search queries with the most relevant and helpful information to achieve a good ranking.
Search engines can better understand what content is all about when it satisfies search intent. As a result, the content is more likely to appear in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant queries, improving visibility and generating more web traffic.
In addition, the following tips may be helpful:
- Break up the text with headings and subheadings to make it easier to read.
- Avoid keyword stuffing in your content; instead, use keywords strategically.
- Your search engine ranking will improve if you regularly update your website with fresh content.
To improve your search engine rankings, update your website regularly with fresh content to keep users engaged. It should be noted that word count is not the only factor that influences search engine optimization. Having a well-designed website, using keywords strategically, and having good backlinks are all important.
Outsourcing content writing is the best way to get it done well. When an SEO writer creates business content for your website, they are proficient in utilizing multiple tools to optimize it for SEO.
Convex Studio is a leading digital marketing agency in Hamilton, helping small and medium-sized businesses. We are well known for our award-winning and results-oriented marketing services. You can get the highest quality content writing and SEO services from us. To improve your SEO, read our last article, “TIPS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO RANK TOP OF MAP PACK AND SEARCH.”