The number of words in a post can help its positioning in Google.
The more words you write, the sooner and better you will rank. Isn’t this the first time you’ve heard or been told something like that?
Is this a misconception? Can you decipher the reason behind it?
Positioning well on Google depends on many factors and not just the number of words you write. However, what can be affirmed is that appearing at the top of search results is how long should a blog post be? It’s about providing a real solution to a real problem that your audience is looking for. Answer a specific question. And it can take you 2000 words or 500.
However, the crucial aspect to consider is the quality of your content.
Be careful not to repeat a keyword too much
Keywords are essential when writing blog posts, especially to achieve titles with greater possibilities of achieving organic visits.
Remember to use keywords throughout the body of your text and not just in the title.
Try not to abuse the use of these; remember that for Google, synonyms and semantic context (the rest of the words that give meaning to our publication) are also important.
Those times when words were repeated ad nauseam to achieve quick positioning are now a thing of the past. Today, content analysis algorithms are more precise, and if you abuse repeating words, you will end up sanctioned by Google.
However, keywords are only one of the things we should take into account when writing a blog. Its extension is also a relevant factor.
Classification of posts by number of words
Micro-posts
They are 200 words or less. They are used to guide the user through our website, explaining the steps to follow to carry out specific actions (subscribe to our newsletter, send a message, etc.). These posts will not rank on Google due to their limited content.
Advantage: They make navigation through our website easier.
Disadvantage: They are irrelevant for positioning.
Mini-posts
They are 200 to 399 words. They are very useful for providing brief and specific information. It is advisable to use them to accompany images and videos.
Advantage: Easy to read and very useful for social networks.
Disadvantage: They are difficult to position and are not recommended for websites.
Short Posts
They are 400 to 799 words. They are the most frequent on websites. They offer explanatory information but without delving so deeply into the topic.
Advantage: By requiring less reading time, your bounce rate (quick exit from our website) is lower.
Disadvantage: Positioning takes longer because it has fewer words.
Long Posts
They are 800 to 1999 words. They enable you to offer a more comprehensive and in-depth exploration of a subject, providing additional details and exhaustive insights.
Advantage: They facilitate the positioning of the blog in Google by allowing greater use of keywords.
Disadvantage: They increase the bounce rate and scrolling (quick content scrolling).
Post pillars
They are 2000 words onwards. They allow a more detailed and specific development of the topic. They target more expert audiences.
Advantage: They make it much easier to position the blog on Google by allowing greater use of keywords.
Disadvantage: Crafting these compositions poses a challenge, and comprehending them proves even more daunting. We must keep in mind that the risk of the post not being read in its entirety and, therefore, its bounce and scrolling percentage is very high.
What is the ideal word count for my blog?
How long should a blog post be? This question is commonly posed by individuals contemplating the initiation of their blogging journey. Although many bloggers recommend writing long posts, I believe that the real answer lies in your audience.
However, you should only write posts with 600 words or less since Google usually considers them thin content or poor content, severely affecting their positioning.
Is your audience willing to read you?
My advice is always to start experimenting with posts of 600 to 1000 words and measure your readers’ reactions.
Your blog must have statistical data visualization tools such as Google Analytics to identify which posts are the most visited and the bounce rate for your site.
I recommend always checking the ages of your audience, geographic location, and whether they visit you more from desktop computers or mobile phones.
It is proven that audiences who visit sites from desktop computers tend to spend more time reading.
Once you have experience writing and have built an audience, you will be ready to create long posts and, later, pillar posts. The important thing is that it is your audience and your experience that indicates the rhythm.
The most common mistake bloggers make is believing that positioning on Google is something quick. Not at all!
Positioning a blog will take you from 6 months to a year of constant work. Furthermore, the outcome will be influenced by the level of competitiveness within the sector you are writing for. There are sectors with little competition for which positioning will be easier. Still, there are also sectors with much content on offer and for this, you will have to be constant and not throw in the towel.
Tips to position your blog on Google
- Offer interesting content that resolves your audience’s doubts. Even if your post is short, try not to leave doubts about the information you offer.
- Never plagiarize texts from other sites. No one can fool Google so that they will detect you, and your blog will be penalized.
- If you take information from a source, remember to give credit and preferably leave a link so they can consult the source.
- Use web-optimized images to illustrate your content. Feel free to use GIFs.
- Use subheadings, bold, and colour to give your content a visual break.
- Establish a consistent schedule for posting and adhere to it consistently. I recommend at least two posts per week.
- Don’t be discouraged; perseverance is key. Although it may present challenges, persisting is valuable.
I hope these recommendations help you position your educational centre’s blog on the first page of Google.
