The Truth About Long-Form Content: More Isn’t Always Better!

Many believe long-form content is effective, an idea widely circulated by marketers. This idea often seems validated by experience: For example, when searching for a simple recipe like aglio e olio, users are frequently met with lengthy articles filled with excessive background information and unrelated questions.

This raises a critical point: the common assumption isn’t just that long-form content performs well, but that its length is the key to that performance.

But what if the real reason behind its success is being misinterpreted?

Why is long-form content so popular among marketers?

The appeal of long-form content goes beyond trends or viral advice. There are deeper, more strategic reasons why it has become a go-to tactic for many in SEO and digital marketing:

1. It provides a clear, repeatable framework

In a field often filled with vague advice like “create helpful content” or “deliver value,” long-form content offers a tangible goal. A simple benchmark, such as writing 2,000+ words, feels like a measurable, actionable plan.

It’s far easier to aim for a word count than to dive deep into audience behavior, uncover pain points, and choose the most effective way to communicate a solution. One approach is quantifiable and easy to replicate; the other demands insight, skill, and thoughtful execution. As a result, marketers often gravitate toward the path of least resistance—even if it’s not the most effective.

2. It’s easier to include everything than to refine

Many content creators default to information overload—sharing everything they know—rather than making thoughtful choices about what truly matters to the reader. Expanding on every angle is simpler than deciding what can be trimmed.

A typical example is recipe blogs. A reader searching for a quick tuna aglio e olio tutorial may have to scroll past sections explaining the dish’s origin, comparisons to other pasta types, and even unrelated cultural traditions before reaching the recipe.

The real challenge in content creation isn’t writing—it’s editing. Effective editing means recognizing what’s relevant and leaving out what isn’t. That takes clarity, confidence, and a strong understanding of user intent—qualities that are harder to master than adding more subheadings.

3. It appears to perform well in search

Long-form content frequently ranks high in search engine results, leading many to assume that its length directly contributes to its performance. Even for straightforward queries like “how to clean a coffee machine,” it’s common to find articles exceeding 1,000 words.

This leads to a common assumption: if long content ranks, then long content must be what Google prefers. However, this thinking confuses correlation with causation. Just because a piece is lengthy doesn’t mean that’s the reason it ranks.

High-ranking content may perform well because it satisfies search intent, earns backlinks, and delivers value—factors that often require more depth, naturally resulting in longer word counts.

In such cases, length is a quality byproduct, not the cause. Yet, the tendency is to mimic the format (length) instead of understanding the underlying value it provides.

4. Long-form content is often seen as “data-backed”

Common statistics circulate in marketing circles, such as:

• “The average Google first page result contains 1,447 words.”
• “Bloggers who publish 2,000+ word posts are more likely to report strong results.”

While these numbers are frequently cited as evidence that long-form content works, they can reflect survivorship bias. What’s visible are the successful long-form pieces that perform well, but what remains unseen are the many others that failed to gain traction. Long content at the top doesn’t guarantee that length is the cause of its success.

5. Length can project authority, but doesn’t guarantee value

There’s a cognitive shortcut at play: if content is long, it must be detailed; if it’s detailed, it must be authoritative. This leads to the assumption that long content signals expertise. However, high word count alone doesn’t ensure substance.

A piece can span thousands of words without offering any real insight. Brevity often requires more skill than verbosity. Distilling complex information into clear, simple terms demands deep understanding. As Einstein is frequently quoted: “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”

Long-form content has its place—when used appropriately

There are valid reasons for creating longer content. Complex topics, high-stakes, or those that require detailed explanation—such as those in finance, health, or law—may demand a more extensive approach. The same applies to research-driven articles, foundational how-to guides, or evergreen pillar content designed to serve multiple use cases.

In such cases, length is not the objective—it’s the outcome of addressing the topic thoroughly and responsibly. The core principle remains the same: content should be as long as it needs to be to serve the reader effectively.

Long-form content is best viewed as a format, not a strategy. The focus should be on creating valuable, comprehensive content. Whether the final result is long or short depends entirely on the topic’s requirements.

Follow the Principle: Length Should Be Earned

The length of an article shouldn’t be predetermined—it should be a natural result of the topic and the user’s needs. Prioritizing word count before understanding the subject or the reader’s intent often leads to bloated, unfocused content.

Start With Search Intent

To create compelling content, it’s essential to understand why someone is searching for a particular topic. This insight helps determine their knowledge level—whether they’re new to the subject or more advanced—and the information they’re likely seeking.

Without targeting a search-worthy topic, identifying intent becomes guesswork. Keyword research tools can help verify that the topic is being searched and clarify the audience’s needs.

Avoid Information Overload

Content should be tailored accordingly once the audience’s experience level is clear. For beginners, overwhelming them with every detail in a 5,000-word article is counterproductive. It may serve SEO goals, but it often fails the reader.

Effective content gives just enough to support the reader and encourage further exploration, without overwhelming them. Use professional judgment to decide what to include, and tools like content helpers can assist in identifying relevant subtopics.

Structure Matters

Regardless of length, structure is key to usability. Readers often skim blog posts for quick answers rather than reading every word. Using a clear structure, like the Inverted Pyramid model, can help. This model presents the most critical information first, followed by supporting details. That way, casual skimmers and deep readers can find what they need.

Think in Layers, Not Just Length

Readers have different needs—some want a quick takeaway, while others are ready to explore every detail. Forcing everyone to use the same format can reduce content effectiveness.
A layered approach is more versatile:

• Short-form: Quick summaries or hooks that spark interest (e.g., short videos or social media posts)
• Mid-form: Focused content that addresses key insights (e.g., guides, how-tos)
• Long-form: Comprehensive explorations for readers seeking in-depth information

For instance, some creators use this strategy by sharing brief overviews on platforms like TikTok and reserving in-depth content for long-form channels.

Conclusion

Length alone isn’t a content strategy—it’s just one of many possible formats. Effective content begins with understanding the audience, promptly addressing their needs, and offering deeper insights only when necessary.

Good content earns its length by being valuable at every stage. If it doesn’t, brevity is the better choice.