The most effective copywriting techniques in search engine optimization (SEO) are constantly changing as we adapt to Google’s algorithm adjustments.
You could have come across digital marketing professionals who advise how to raise your position in search results by adhering to their range of recommendations for word counts.
It’s time to settle the many arguments surrounding the topic of whether word count matters in SEO.
Does Word Count Affect Rankings?
John Mueller from Google has stated that the search algorithm does not use word count as a ranking component.
He says, to be more precise, “simply adding text to a page doesn’t improve it.”
Instead of counting the words on a website, Google’s algorithms search for original, high-quality, and relevant material.
Reasons Why Long-Form Content Ranks Higher
Even though Google has confirmed that word count has no direct impact on rank, many publications and keyword tools still advocate using more extended word counts.
Then why do programs like Yoast and Clearscope advocate word counts when they don’t affect ranking?
There are a few reasons why having more words may help your ranking.
Some of these tools base their suggestions for word counts on competitive analysis.
It is simpler for Google’s algorithm to understand the purpose of your page when you write longer material.
Writing thorough, well-researched articles positions you as an authority on the subject and helps you rank for long-tail keyword variations.
The Best Way To Calculate Your Content’s Word Count
There is no set word count for SEO that should be adhered to.
The ideal word count range for your content can be determined by your keyword research, the competition, and prior performance.
Start with your Keyword Strategy
Fresh content could be written with a particular target term in mind.
Longer content, however, is more likely to rank in the top 10 for numerous keywords, according to a study by Ahrefs.
By lengthening your content, you can discuss your main subject from various perspectives, which can help you rank for more keywords.
Longer content, with less competition and excellent conversion rates, is more likely to rank for long-tail versions of your primary keyword.
Check out the Competition
When comparing your content to the competitors, you may also utilise word count as a benchmark statistic.
Many tools provide the word count of the top-performing articles for any particular keyword for keyword research and content optimization.
If you’re unsure of how long an article should be, starting by looking at the word count of the most successful articles right now is a good idea.
Be Aware Of Search Intent
Always pay attention to the search intent related to your target keyword and observe what the competition is doing.
What makes content relevant and beneficial to the user will be defined with the aid of intent.
To put it another way, consider what your target audience will look for when entering a keyword into the search bar.
You might try to equal or surpass the word count of your competitors if they need thorough information.
In contrast, you can decide to write shorter, more concise content for keywords where the target audience is looking for immediate solutions.
In terms of word count, search intent can assist you in determining whether you should copy the competition or set your content apart by using more words.
Evaluation of Your Performance
Finally, you can review your historical performance to determine what content length suits you the most.
Examine your SEO results frequently to spot any trends.
Is there a sweet spot for word counts where you consistently do better?
Or perhaps some of your shorter pieces aren’t performing as well as you’d like.
In that scenario, consider returning to your keyword study to determine how you might prolong the content by including additional pertinent and valuable material.
Final Thoughts
It takes more than checking out keyword mentions and article length to optimise content for SEO.
To publish material that best meets the needs of each keyword’s audience, you must, in the end, comprehend that audience.
Although word count won’t be the deciding element in your content’s ranking, it can assist you in determining what is “relevant and useful” for a particular keyword.
To determine your ideal word count starting point, use the writing tips and questions mentioned above, but remember that every word you use should be helpful to your readers.
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