Best Blog Post Length to get Links

[kchandler]

Okay, kind of silly question but i am looking for some help interpreting an analysis done by John Doherty almost a year ago: http://moz.com/blog/what-kind-of-content-gets-links-in-2012

In the document he mentions the correlation that longer posts on average receive more links but the graphs were really hard to interpret (for me). Based on the data what is the correct size we should shoot for (most graphs were missing labels). Any one have any insight? Should i shoot for 300 words per post, higher, etc?

Thanks!

• Kyle

[Schwaab]

Sorry for the cliche response, but I would worry more the quality content than the length of the content.  Are your users going to feel fulfilled with less than 300 words?  Maybe for some topics.  I doubt there is a magic number to get links.

If you are churning out blog posts of an "optimal" length but they aren't engaging you probably will not see any benefit.

Long story short: Don't worry about the length.  If you are writing just to write, you probably shouldn't expect much in return.

[kchandler]

I agree, of course the context and quality of the article is the most important but it is a question i get from EVERY client:

"How much content should i write then?"

Then i found this article and it seemed really helpful but i was having trouble interpreting what a good guideline should be.

[EGOL]

"How much content should i write then?"

Tell them that their post should be one of the best on the web for the topic that they are writing about.

Should i shoot for 300 words per post, higher.

This is really really really short in my opinion.  Most of the product descriptions on my ecommerce site are a lot longer than this.  Blog posts and articles are usually way over 1000 words to be competitive with other content on same subject on the web.  If you are not writing that type of content then in my opinion why are you writing?

Look at the Moz.com blog and you will see that what people are writing there is kickass stuff of way over 1000 words and usually lots of images.

Also don't let them get away with writing posts with no images.  Tell them to take photos or hire someone to take them.  A blog post without a photo is really boring.

added...  hey Schwaab.. I saw that "no" reply this morning.       It got lots of thumbs up before that page went down.   I am enjoying your posts.  Keep up the great work!

[KarlBantleman]

All the points made are great and I'd just add one more thing...look at the average length of the blog/website that the post is going on. Like EGOL said, on Moz, most posts are around 1000 words so that's what you should aim for but for another blog, they may want something longer or shorter. Match the content and length to the blog it is going on, that way you are adding value to the blog and not just blogging for links.