SEO Requires Regular Updates and Ingenuity for a Site's Success

The ins and outs of search engine optimization continue to change often. Something that works well today may not produce similar results tomorrow. Fortunately, content is and always has been king when it comes to SEO. Search engines like Google reward high quality content more often than not. However, debate exists about the effectiveness of long versus short content. Both types of content come with their own pros and cons.

Like most SEO-related topics, a quick and simple answer isn't available. Content length affects a website's search engine rankings to some degree. It's difficult to deny as much, but not all websites work well with a long or short content approach. For instance, certain topics don't need thousands of words to explain. Complicated, technical content cannot be explained in a few hundred words, either.

Pros and Cons of Longer Content

Search engines love lengthy content displayed on a single website page. Such articles are seen as authoritative and high quality. Plus, actual users only have to visit one or two pages in order to find the information they need. Pages with at least 2,500 words tend to see better search engine rankings, assuming they contain quality content. Not all topics require so many words, so repetition or useless info should be avoided.

Benefits and Disadvantages of Shorter Content

Typically, short content is spread across multiple pages. Search engines may reward websites with such a layout, if the content is focused. Multiple high quality pieces of content can also make a website seem more authoritative to search engines. Still, other SEO tactics need to be employed to make this content strategy work. Simple topics benefit from a short content approach, but extra footwork may be required.

Consider What Works Best For Your Website and Niche

In the end, every website is different and will require a unique approach. Webmasters cannot avoid search engine optimization, or they're going to see abysmal traffic numbers. Content should be planned out in such a way that it meets both quality and readability standards. Depending upon the topic or niche, a webmaster might want to stick with either a long-form or short-form approach, but not both.