Does Word Count on a Website Really Matter for SEO? Here’s What You Need to Know
When it comes to SEO, there’s a long-standing debate about whether word count on a website really makes a difference. In our opinion, the answer is a resounding yes—but it’s not just about padding your pages with unnecessary words. Quality, context, and intention are what really matter, and having a higher word count can often help your content stand out for all the right reasons.
Here’s why: the more words you have, the clearer your content’s intention becomes. A detailed article gives Google more context, helping the algorithm understand what your content is about and matching it to the right searches. A longer word count also allows you to naturally incorporate intention synonyms, long-tail keywords, and related terms, which improves your chances of ranking for a broader range of queries.
Think about it this way—if your content thoroughly explores a topic, answers common questions, and provides value, Google sees it as more authoritative. This can boost your rankings over shorter, surface-level pieces that don’t dig deep into the subject. Plus, longer content often keeps readers engaged for longer periods, which sends positive signals to search engines about your content’s quality – which means better EEAT scores!
How Word Count on your Website Helps Build E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
In the world of SEO, Google’s E-E-A-T framework—Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness—has become one of the key factors in determining how well your content ranks. Simply put, E-E-A-T is about proving that your content is credible, written by knowledgeable sources, and provides value to your audience. While word count alone won’t guarantee strong E-E-A-T, a longer word count can give you the space to demonstrate these qualities more effectively.
Here’s how:
- Experience: Longer content allows you to showcase first-hand knowledge, such as case studies, personal examples, or real-world applications. This depth reassures both readers and Google that you’ve truly engaged with the subject.
- Expertise: With more room, you can provide detailed explanations, answer questions thoroughly, and include relevant statistics or data. This signals to readers (and search engines) that your content comes from a well-informed source.
- Authoritativeness: Comprehensive content often gets linked to or cited by other websites, which boosts your authority. A longer word count lets you address multiple aspects of a topic, increasing the chances that others see your page as a one-stop resource.
- Trustworthiness: Long-form content gives you the opportunity to include references, external links to credible sources, and detailed disclaimers where necessary. This transparency builds trust with your audience.
A higher word count also helps with topic clustering—a strategy where you cover a central topic thoroughly while addressing related subtopics. This makes your page a rich resource, improving both user satisfaction and your site’s E-E-A-T in Google’s eyes.
Example: If you’re writing about “best practices for digital marketing,” a short blog might only skim the surface, while a longer piece can cover social media, SEO, paid ads, and analytics in detail. This breadth of content demonstrates expertise and gives readers more reasons to trust your site as an authoritative source.
By using a higher word count to naturally build E-E-A-T into your content, you’re not just improving SEO—you’re creating a better experience for your audience, which ultimately leads to stronger rankings and engagement. What Website Word Count Should We Target for Good SEO?
When it comes to SEO, word count matters—but so does focus. Every page on your website should be optimised for at least one primary keyword or keyword phrase, repeated naturally throughout the content. This helps Google understand what your page is about and match it to relevant searches. The trick is to balance length with substance: enough words to give value and context, but not so much that it feels like waffle. Here’s a breakdown of how much content each page needs—and how to weave in those all-important keywords:
Homepage Wordcount (400–800 words)
Your homepage is your brand’s first impression, so content needs to be concise yet informative. Aim for 400–800 words and optimise for a broad, high-impact keyword or phrase, like your primary service or product category (e.g., “custom web design services”). Sprinkle this keyword into headings, subheadings, and naturally into the text, but don’t overdo it—Google prefers natural language. Use short sections, bullet points, and clear CTAs to keep readers engaged and guide them deeper into your site.
About Page Wordcount (500–1,000 words)
The About page builds trust and connection, making it a great place to highlight a secondary keyword or phrase related to your industry (e.g., “eco-friendly home renovations”). Aim for 500–1,000 words, telling your story, sharing your mission, and showcasing your expertise. Repeat your keyword a few times in the context of who you are and what you do, but focus on storytelling first. Include it in your headings, but ensure the content flows naturally.
Categories Pages (200-400 words)
Categories pages are often overlooked when it comes to SEO, but they play a crucial role in organizing your site and helping users (and search engines) navigate it. Aim for 200–400 words of content per category page. This gives you enough space to describe the products or services within that category, include relevant keywords, and provide some context about what users can expect.
Make the content skimmable by using bullet points, short sentences, or even small introductory sections followed by CTAs like “Shop Now” or “Explore More.” Avoid cramming all the text at the top—place a concise intro above the fold (e.g., “Explore our range of sustainable home products, including eco-friendly furniture, kitchenware, and more.”) and reserve longer descriptions or SEO-heavy content for lower on the page.
By structuring the page this way, you balance user experience with SEO best practices, giving your categories the ranking power they need without overwhelming visitors.
Product/Service Page Wordcount (300–700 words)
Product or service pages should focus on one specific keyword or phrase that matches what people are searching for (e.g., “affordable wedding photography” or “custom SEO audits”). Aim for 300–700 words to provide enough detail about features, benefits, and solutions to common problems. Use your keyword strategically in the product name, descriptions, and FAQs, but avoid overstuffing. A good rule of thumb is to repeat the keyword 2–3 times per 100 words, keeping it natural.
Blog Post Wordcount (1,000–2,000+ words)
Blogs are your best chance to target long-tail keywords (e.g., “how to design a minimalist website” or “best practices for SEO in 2025”). For most topics, 1,000–2,000+ words (as context, this blog is about 1500 words) works well. This gives you the space to dive deep, answer questions, and naturally include variations of your primary keyword. Repetition is key but should feel organic—use your main keyword in the title, introduction, headings, and a few times throughout the content. Sprinkle in synonyms and related terms to give Google even more context. We also love it when a blog links to other blogs, creating a really clear connection about how this content relates to other content, with anchor text that isn’t the old “click here for more info”, but is a direct keyword phrase that shows Google loud and clear what you are linking to, and why it’s relevant.
It’s true—many people feel like these word count targets sound a bit high. After all, who wants to scroll through 300 words on a category page when they’re just looking for a product? The key is to make your content easy to digest. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings to break up the text, and don’t forget the power of images to keep the page visually engaging. You can also place most of the bulk text further down the page—just make sure the most relevant information and your primary keyword are right at the top where they grab attention. This approach keeps the user experience front and center while still giving Google the content it needs to rank your pages effectively.
Final Tip: Always optimise for one keyword or phrase per page and include it naturally throughout the content. Repetition helps Google pick up on the signals you’re sending, but overdoing it can hurt your rankings. Pair thoughtful keyword use with clear, valuable content, and you’ll create pages that resonate with both users and search engines.
Quality, Keywords, and the Perfect Word Count
When it comes to word count and SEO, balance is everything. Each page of your website should have enough content to provide value, demonstrate expertise, and clearly signal to Google what the page is about—all while keeping your readers engaged. Optimising each page for a primary keyword or phrase is crucial, but don’t overdo it; natural repetition and context are what make the magic happen.
By tailoring your word count and keyword strategy to the purpose of each page—whether it’s a concise homepage or an in-depth blog—you can boost your rankings, attract the right audience, and create a user experience that’s both informative and enjoyable. Focus on delivering quality content that meets your audience’s needs, and the rankings will follow.