How many words are in a blog and what you won't be told? The rules as dictated by Google have changed so you will be lost if you don't change
Table of contents
The number of words in a blog doesn't matter
Google has changed the rules to count a blog in minutes, not words.
They say that the ideal blog length is a five-minute read which equates to about 900 words.
However, life on the net is never that straightforward
The real answer is more mysterious
Remember that Google is just one search engine and Bing has been languishing in the past so the rules change on a daily basis.
The real answer is the number of words to answer a question or solve a problem in the clearest way. Furthermore, this will be voted on by readers.
Google has changed the search to what is the user intent and gives you a position depending on your content.
If you have position one, where everyone wants to be and everyone bails quickly and moves to position two you will be demoted, go right to the back of the class.
Content is now a contributing factor
We always knew content had a level of importance but it now takes first place. If your content is disrespected by the readers then you will lose your search position.
It does not stop at the content you need more
The search engines all love authority, what right do you have in expressing your opinions? When you are making legal statements but doing so as a layman I am sorry but you have no authority so words and content are not important.
However, if you back your article with good research and use the credentials of others you can get a position. The University made a legal judgement type of thing.
Keywords are still important
Google looks first at intent;
- Do you want to go somewhere?
- Perhaps make a booking
- Buy a product
- Get an answer
So firstly you need to fall into one of these slots however your answer must comply with the request.
Q; How far from Alaska to Berlin? The wrong answer is to click here to get a book on Alaska's history and stats. You are not answering the question
Where do you answer a question in a blog?
At the beginning of the blog or at the end it depends.
How far from Alaska to Berlin is an easy answer and it should be right at the start. That is all the reader wants to know.
What are the pitfalls of travelling from Alaska to berlin? This can't be answered in a few words so it will spread throughout the blog.
The mistake many make is hiding the easy answers and the result is readers bail early and affect your page rating
Yes dropouts affect your Google love
The boys are having a beer and they bet on the distance from Alaska to Berlin, that is the only answer they want so if you make them go looking for the answer you will lose them quickly.
Google wants a good reading time on your page to prove that your writing is worthwhile. Therefore consider your Keywords properly and provide a full answer
Summary
- A five-minute read is a good blog length
- Think of what the reader wants to know and answer accordingly
- Your content is important so make sure it is reader focused
- Include authority
- Keywords are still important
Conclusion
No one said it would be easy; plus the rules change regularly so you really need to keep pace with the changes.
How many words are in a blog and what you won't be told by Peter Hanley
Peter Hanley has written more than a thousand blogs
And completed all the courses at Wealthy Affiliate based
on marketing and SEO earning the highest degree. He is ranked
in the top 150 of the Million and a half members and gathers many
Thousand readers every month.
