Have you ever heard that writing brief copy is spammy, and it’s best to at all times write a minimal of X phrases?
You’re not alone. Not too long ago, I obtained this query:
“What’s the minimal variety of phrases for a weblog submit?
I used to be instructed a few years in the past that it was 300 phrases after which a few years after that I used to be instructed the minimal ought to be 500 phrases. Anyway, lately, I learn someplace that the minimal variety of phrases is 300, though, longer posts tend to rank higher.
I’ve been running a blog for an legal professional for about 2 years and ensuring that I hit the 500-word minimal however I’m questioning if, each as soon as in awhile, I can throw in a 300 or 400-word weblog with out creating search engine marketing issues.”
Brief reply — sure! There’s an enormous false impression about phrase depend and what Google “needs to see.”
Let’s break it down.
As soon as upon a time, you can get nice Google rankings by writing brief, crappy content material. Individuals would create poorly-written 100-word “articles” that repeated the key phrase again and again — and people articles would truly place (!)
In truth, various massive corporations moved their content material manufacturing offshore to non-English talking nations. Though these writers did their finest, they have been paid (little or no) on quantity — not on worth. The consequence was sometimes fairly horrible.
Then, Google made a sweeping change and made it recognized that “skinny” content material was dangerous. This algorithmic replace, known as Panda, devastated websites that relied on poorly-written content material.
However right here’s the factor…
Though “skinny” content material is commonly brief, brief copy isn’t essentially dangerous.
“Skinny” content material and “brief” content material are two various things.
Right here’s extra info on what skinny content material is and find out how to repair it.
In truth, Google mentioned in 2019 that phrase depend isn’t indicative of high quality.
Typically, what you’re writing solely wants 300 phrases to totally clarify the subject.
Perhaps even much less.
The aim of good search engine marketing writing is to reply the readers’ question and to entice her to take the subsequent motion step. Including 200 extra phrases to succeed in a legendary phrase depend “requirement” received’t serve the reader and will detract from what you’re making an attempt to say.
So, don’t be afraid of brief copy. It might place.
BUT…
Know that brief copy positions for extremely particular queries — not broad ideas. Don’t anticipate a 300-word article to place for in-depth subjects like [how to take care of a kitten] or [content marketing strategies for 2020].
It received’t. Nor will it totally reply your readers’ questions. That’s when longer content material comes into play.
In truth, this submit weighs in at barely lower than 500 phrases. Positive, I might have gone in-depth on the historical past of content material phrases counts, and mentioned why everybody wished brief copy again within the day.
However, that wouldn’t add a lot worth, would it not? 🙂
So sure, brief copy is OK.
What do you assume?
Have you ever been requested to jot down longer content material “for Google?” Depart a remark and let me know!
