Long-form content allows writers to discuss a topic in much greater depth than they would be able to in a piece of short-form content.
Sometimes, based on the topic and the reader’s requirements, the writer has to decide to use long-form content.
While writing a longer piece, one provides readers with high-quality information supported by research and data.
These long articles are best suited for readers with more time and want more details because the consequences of missing key information on the topic can affect them.
The worse the consequences of not knowing the details, the more the need for long form articles on the topic.
According to Microsoft research, humans have an attention span less than that of a Goldfish, but the need for detailed information on various topics still exists.
So yes, there is a need for long form articles.
Okay, now that you know you must write long articles, let’s find out how long they must be.
How long are long form articles?
Among Economists, there is a belief that if there are three economists, there will be four views.
The same is true for long-form content because there isn’t one word count above which an article would be considered long-form.
The range of long-form articles is from 1500 words to 3000 words.
With such a wide range, the only definition of long-form content is an article that provides in-depth topic coverage and offers detailed insights, analysis, or solutions.
While working on your long-form content, based on the topic and resources available you can choose from among these ranges:
1,500–2,000 words: Considered long enough to cover a topic in detail while still holding readers’ attention.
2,000–3,000+ words: Often used for comprehensive guides, research-based articles, or pillar content.
3,000+ words: Very in-depth content that explores multiple facets of a topic, often seen as authoritative and likely to attract backlinks.
The length should align with the depth required for the subject and the needs of your audience.
But remember, quality and relevance are always more important than word count.
Short form or long form? What types of content are your competitors succeeding with? By identifying what works for them, you can create higher-quality versions of that content to outperform them. Analyze the content that ranks well for your targeted keywords to gain valuable insights and use it as a guide to enhance your strategy. In short, the question is not if you should write long form or short form. The more relevant question is, what is it that your audience wants?
Why long-form articles rank better in search engines
Just because an article is long does not mean it will rank well.
Long-form content must be well-written, relevant, and engaging to maintain its effectiveness in search engines.
Here are five reasons long-form articles rank higher in search engines—be it Google, Bing, Yandex, Duckduckgo.com, etc.
In-depth Information: Long-form articles provide more comprehensive and detailed coverage of a topic, which can address multiple user queries and improve search rankings for various related keywords.
Increased Engagement: Longer content tends to keep users on the page for longer, reducing bounce rates and signaling to search engines that the content is valuable.
Higher Backlink Potential: Well-researched, authoritative long-form content is likelier to attract backlinks from other websites, boosting domain authority and SEO performance.
Keyword Opportunities: Longer articles allow for the natural integration of multiple keywords, including long-tail keywords, which can increase the chances of ranking for broader search terms.
User Satisfaction: If long-form content is well-structured and easy to navigate, it satisfies user intent by delivering value and encouraging users to stay on your site.