Why Most Blog Posts Are Too Long

Somewhere along the way, bloggers decided that longer posts are always better. Write 2,000 words minimum. Add more sections. Pad it out.

This advice was never universally true, and it's becoming less true every year. Most blog posts are too long because writers prioritize length over value - and readers can tell.

Where the "long content wins" myth comes from

The preference for long content isn't entirely wrong. It's just incomplete.

Correlation vs. causation

Studies show that longer content tends to rank better in search results. But this doesn't mean length causes higher rankings.

Long content often ranks because it's more comprehensive, covers more related keywords, earns more backlinks, and provides more value. The length is a side effect of depth, not the cause of success.

A 500-word post that perfectly answers a simple question can outrank a 3,000-word post that buries the answer in filler.

SEO advice from a different era

Years ago, thin content was a problem. Google penalized sites with pages that offered little value. SEOs responded by recommending longer content.

But the goal was always value, not word count. Somewhere this got lost, and "write more" became the advice instead of "write what's needed."

Signs your blog posts are too long

Not sure if you're overwriting? Look for these patterns:

• You're repeating the same point multiple ways
• Sections exist only to hit a word count
• Your introduction exceeds 200 words
• Readers aren't finishing (low dwell time)

Let's examine each one.

You're repeating yourself

If you've made the same point three different ways, you're padding. Make the point once, clearly. Move on.

You're adding sections that don't earn their place

Every section should answer a question the reader has or address a logical next step. If a section exists only to hit a word count, cut it.

Your introduction runs longer than 200 words

Introductions set up the post. They don't need to preview every section, establish extensive context, or warm up for three paragraphs. See our guide on writing strong introductions.

Readers aren't finishing

If your dwell time is low relative to your word count, people are leaving before they finish. That's a signal your content is longer than it needs to be.

How to find the right length

The right length is exactly as long as needed to deliver value - no more, no less.

Start with the question

What question is this post answering? What problem is it solving? What does the reader need to know?

Answer that completely. Stop when you've answered it. Don't keep writing because you haven't hit an arbitrary word count.

Check the competition

Google your target keyword and see what's ranking. If the top results are 1,500-word guides, you probably need similar depth. If they're 600-word overviews, a 3,000-word post might be overkill.

Match the search intent. If searchers want a quick answer, give them a quick answer.

Use your judgment

Some topics genuinely need depth. Comprehensive guides, tutorials with many steps, topics with lots of nuance - these warrant length.

Other topics don't. "What is bounce rate?" doesn't need 2,000 words. Define it, explain why it matters, give context, and wrap up.

The real problem with long posts

Excessive length doesn't just bore readers. It actively hurts your content.

Key points get buried

If your main insight is surrounded by padding, many readers won't find it. They'll skim, miss it, and leave thinking your post said nothing useful.

Trust erodes

When readers sense filler, they lose trust. They start skimming more aggressively, engaging less, and are less likely to return or share.

Your time is wasted

Writing 2,000 words when 800 would do isn't just bad for readers - it's bad for you. That extra time could go toward another post, promotion, or actually living your life.

When long content is right

Length isn't the enemy. Unnecessary length is.

Some posts should be long:

• Comprehensive guides that cover multiple facets of a topic
• Tutorials with many steps requiring detailed explanation
• Topics where depth and nuance genuinely matter
• Cornerstone content meant to be the definitive resource

In these cases, length serves the reader. The post is long because it needs to be, not because someone said "write 2,000 words."

Editing for length

When editing, ask of every sentence: does this need to be here?

Cut repetition. Cut qualifications that don't add meaning. Cut sections that don't answer reader questions. Cut your darlings - clever phrases that don't serve the piece.

If cutting feels painful, remember: a tight 1,000-word post outperforms a bloated 2,000-word post every time. Respect your reader's time and they'll reward you with their attention.

For more on structuring content effectively, see our guides on blog post structure and writing posts that get read.

The goal isn't long content. It's good content. Sometimes good is long. Often it's not.