In a world where the average attention span of a person is less than 9 seconds, does long-form content really help attract traffic and generate revenue? Does anyone even read this type of content these days? If your mind is also filled with such questions, then do not worry! This article aims to shed light on the topic and provide insights into when it’s appropriate to go long and when it’s not.
Before delving into the details, it’s essential to understand the purpose of long-form content. Contrary to popular belief, the purpose of writing long-form content is not just to get a better place in search engines but also to inform and provide a comprehensive understanding of a given subject.
Writing long-form content just to increase the word count leads to unnecessary repetition and fails to deliver real value to the reader. This is a wrong approach and leads to utter waste of time of the readers, which can negatively affect your website score.
Additionally, certain types of content don’t require more than a thousand words of information to cover the ins and outs of the entire topic. These include product descriptions, home page content, social media posts, adverts, newsletters, and more. Writing more than a thousand words for such topics is quite redundant.
So, when should you write long-form content? We will explore the answer to this question in this article, so keep reading!
What is Long-Form Content?
The basic definition of long-form content is a type of content that takes more than average time to be consumed. However, different SEO marketers have different ideologies on the minimum length of the content to be labeled as long-term content.
While for some of them, it is 700 words, and others consider it to be 1,500 words. Contrary to the beliefs of these content marketers, any content above 1,000 words can be considered long-form content.
However, the length alone does not define long-form content. True long-form content must possess depth, talk about the ins and outs of the subject, etc. It should be informative and beneficial to readers, equipping them with the necessary information.
From an SEO standpoint, long-form content helps achieve three interconnected goals:
- Improved Search Engine Rankings: Long-form content helps to outrank shallow content. The more time a reader spends reading your content, the higher the ranking on the SERPs. You can use these tools to track your SERP rankings.
- Enhanced Lead Engagement: Long-form content should contain captivating and valuable information tailored to a specific audience. This engages readers, encourages them to spend more time on your page, and reduces bounce rates.
- Helps build Reputation: Lengthy guides and blog posts showcase your expertise in a particular topic or industry, instilling trust. By consistently publishing high-quality long-form content, you strengthen your authority.
Furthermore, as we progress further into the era of multimedia content, it is crucial to recognize alternative formats when discussing long-form content. Videos, webinars, and podcasts can offer the same depth as written content and help accomplish your objectives, potentially yielding even higher engagement.
When Should You Write Long-Form Content?
When writing long-form content, a crucial question is: When should you write long-form content? Well, when you find a topic with many sub-topics that need thorough explanation, you can embark on your journey of writing long-form content. It’s like holding a magnifying glass to a topic that captivates you, immersing yourself in its depths and sharing your insights with the world.
Imagine being a Las Vegas SEO company eager to educate small businesses on the power of local SEO. You could unleash your expertise by crafting a captivating long-form blog post titled: “The Definitive Guide to Local SEO for Small Businesses in Las Vegas.“
With each word, you delve into the intricacies of local SEO, unraveling its importance for small businesses, unveiling actionable tasks they can tackle themselves, and enlightening them about the benefits of seeking professional SEO assistance. You even guide them on crafting compelling geo-centric content that resonates with Las Vegas residents.
Yes, long-form content has SEO benefits, but it should always be created with a “reader-first” mindset. The ultimate goal is to provide your audience with superior value, nurturing a genuine connection and enriching them with your shared knowledge. So, when you find that perfect subject worth delving into sincerely, don’t hesitate to embrace the challenge of writing long-form content that makes a difference.
How To Write Long-Form Content?
Writing long-form content can feel like a manageable task. Instead, approach it as an exciting puzzle waiting to be pieced together. You can turn the process into an enjoyable challenge by breaking it down into manageable chunks.
Here are some steps to help you tackle long-form content effectively:
Select the Right Topic
Not all topics are suitable for long-form content. Choosing a topic that lends itself well to this format is crucial. Avoid picking a subject that lacks depth or substance, as it may lead to writing fluff or filler content. Instead, opt for topics that meet the following criteria:
- Complexity: The topic should have multiple aspects or components that require explanation or guidance.
Specificity: Avoid general explanations and focus on providing detailed insights that allow readers to grasp the subject thoroughly. - Unique Knowledge: Your audience should benefit from new or uncommon information about the topic. Tailor the content to match the audience’s familiarity with the subject.
By carefully considering these factors, you can find topics well-suited for engaging long-form content.
Offer Valuable Content to your Audience
No matter which niche you are writing content for, your article should be readable. You are not writing content just because you want to post many articles on your site.
Imagine you’re crafting a comprehensive guide on planning an unforgettable Maldives vacation. You’re faced with a crucial decision: how many words should your guide contain? Should it be around 1,500 words? Maybe 2,000? Or should you go all out and aim for 3,000 words or more?
To make an informed decision, it’s essential to delve into the minds of those searching for information on your topic. Please take a moment to put yourself in their shoes and feel their desires. When people search for guidance on planning a vacation to Maldives, what are they seeking?
Think about the kind of information that would captivate and fulfill their curiosity. How much knowledge do they require to comprehend the intricacies of planning such a trip? And how much information would be enough to satisfy their thirst for answers?
By exploring these questions and examining the top search results on Google, you can gain valuable insights into your audience’s search intent. This empathetic approach will enable you to create long-form content that resonates with readers and provides them with the information they crave.
Create content so that it not only adds value to your audience but is also valuable to your brand. The more you research, the more you can incorporate the information in your article. Collect adequate information before you begin writing. No matter how familiar you are with a topic or industry, never think your information is enough for your article. You will always find something new.
Make Sure Not to Leave SEO Principles Behind.
If you want your articles to reach the audience you intend to write articles for, there are a few things that you need to work on. Always remember to integrate SEO principles in mind, without which content these days will not reach anywhere. Even if you have written top-notch quality content, it will only reach somewhere once and if optimized according to Google algorithms.
If your content is not appearing on the search engine result pages, you can try your hands at different social media platforms. These social media platforms are picking up momentum altogether, and people spend more time on them nowadays. However, you must develop distinct strategies for every platform, and there is no one-size-fits-all.
Also, readability plays a big role in determining whether or not your content will do well in the SERPs. Make sure to format your article properly or in a way that readers use to skim through the content. You can integrate headings, subheadings, and subheadings so your audience can easily find the information they seek. If you need help with the SEO aspect, consider hiring a professional SEO service.
Here Are a few Tips and Tricks
Below are some writing techniques to help you write flowy, meaningful, and transparent long-form content.
- Reason Out the Doubts – Add a ‘reason why’ to comply with the readers with your request. People don’t generally like things to be told without any proper reasoning behind them. So try to support your strategy or idea with a valid reason.
Maintain Consistency – Like consistency in your life and career, a character in your writing is also necessary. It will make your piece more attractive and help your readers agree with your viewpoint. Support your point with a real-life and robust example to enhance your article. - Use Comparisons – Make metaphors, analogies, and similes your best friend. They will make your writing more ornamental and thus attractive. Comparisons help a reader to understand better. But this is more challenging than it sounds. You will have to use useful metaphors to convince your readers. Use tricky comparisons to make your viewpoint look better.
- Prognosticate – Show your readers a glimpse of the future. Tell them the consequences of certain events that will hook your readers to your article. It is also one of the persuasive writing techniques used frequently by writers.
- Address a Problem – This is widespread and one of the most effective writing techniques. Firstly you address a problem and tell the readers how it can affect them or how it has already affected many people. And once you’ve emotionally triggered the reader, give solutions in the form of answers. Try to make your reader feel better with your solutions.
- Address the Objections – Never leave your readers in doubt. They should not wait even a second to think, ‘Yes..but..’. You’ll lose your audience then and there. Analyze the potential objections and address them appropriately. Answer all possible arguments; otherwise, your comments section will be flooded with complaints.
- Narrate a Story – It is the best way to write long-form content. Storytelling enhances your article and increases its value. Your reader can relate to what you are saying so much better. This is the most effective technique. However, it needs practice; you can’t be a storyteller in a day. But once you’ve mastered this skill, nothing can stop you from writing great pieces!
Why is Long-Form Content Great for SEO?
Long-form content and its impact on SEO is an intriguing topic with the potential for significant benefits. Although word count alone may not directly influence search engine rankings, there’s a fascinating correlation between long-form content and its ability to soar in the SEO realm.
Why does long-form content often excel in search engine rankings, despite word count not being a ranking factor? It all boils down to the relationship between word count and the number of backlinks from external websites—those valuable endorsements that contribute to higher rankings.
While Google has stated that word count does not play a major role in determining the rankings of a site, long-form content tends to be a treasure trove of knowledge, brimming with invaluable information, and it is thus great for SEO. When you invest your expertise in crafting an extensive piece about a subject close to your heart, chances are it will become a precious resource.
And if you ensure you tick all the right boxes—providing a seamless on-page experience, designing an interactive and user-friendly blog, employing scannable content with bulleted lists and accessible language, incorporating engaging infographics and charts, and citing authoritative statistics—it becomes an irresistible gem in the eyes of both readers and search engines.
By offering comprehensive insights and linking to reputable sources, your long-form content stands out among the vast sea of articles on the same subject. Consequently, you attract an impressive number of backlinks from fellow marketers and businesses in your industry who recognize the value you’ve brought and eagerly share your remarkable article with their audience. Check this out to learn how to monitor backlinks.
So, while word count may not directly impact SEO rankings, the superior quality and extensive nature of long-form content make it a magnet for backlinks, establishing your authority and boosting your visibility in the digital landscape.
Incorporating these elements makes your long-form content superior to other articles covering the same subject. This increases the chances of attracting backlinks from marketers and businesses in your industry who want to share your valuable article with their audience.
Conclusion
Writing long-form content can be highly beneficial, even in an era of shrinking attention spans. Many people still engage with in-depth content as long as it offers superior quality and value. When you write to provide free value and make life easier, Google will likely reward your efforts.
So, the next time you encounter a subject that deserves a deep dive, don’t hesitate to go long. Just remember to prioritize the reader’s experience and deliver content that adds value to their lives.
