Comments on: Is There An Optimal Post Length For Blogs? http://www.vanseodesign.com/blogging/is-there-an-optimal-post-length-for-blogs/ Helping you build search engine friendly websites Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:07:45 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: See the proof that people like to read online http://www.vanseodesign.com/blogging/is-there-an-optimal-post-length-for-blogs/comment-page-1/#comment-512 See the proof that people like to read online Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:58:43 +0000 http://www.vanseodesign.com/blog/uncategorized/is-there-an-optimal-post-length-for-blogs/#comment-512 [...] I am not sure whether writing shorter posts is more preferrable, really. In my opinion, how useful the article/post is matters most. Then formatting plays a large role, because I have frequently observed myself ignoring posts with very long paragraphs. [...] [...] I am not sure whether writing shorter posts is more preferrable, really. In my opinion, how useful the article/post is matters most. Then formatting plays a large role, because I have frequently observed myself ignoring posts with very long paragraphs. [...]

]]> By: Steven Bradley http://www.vanseodesign.com/blogging/is-there-an-optimal-post-length-for-blogs/comment-page-1/#comment-511 Steven Bradley Thu, 01 Mar 2007 22:07:40 +0000 http://www.vanseodesign.com/blog/uncategorized/is-there-an-optimal-post-length-for-blogs/#comment-511 Thanks John. I have a short attention span too, but it bothers me to read the fluff posts that just point to something else. It'd fine sometimes and I know I've done it myself here and there, but some blogs seem to never have anything to say. I feel the same way as you that those blogs are just a waste of time and my subscription generally doesn't last long. I think the healthy mix is probably best. I know I tend to write longer posts and I sometimes wonder if I have too many long posts, but like I said I just write and when I get to the end I know I'm finished. I also think regardless of long or short if the quality is good enough people will read. I do know some blogs where the posts are often very short, but the blogger packs a lot of information into a few words. I've also see blogs heavy on post length that say little or nothing. I hope I'm not one of the latter. Thanks John. I have a short attention span too, but it bothers me to read the fluff posts that just point to something else. It’d fine sometimes and I know I’ve done it myself here and there, but some blogs seem to never have anything to say. I feel the same way as you that those blogs are just a waste of time and my subscription generally doesn’t last long.

I think the healthy mix is probably best. I know I tend to write longer posts and I sometimes wonder if I have too many long posts, but like I said I just write and when I get to the end I know I’m finished.

I also think regardless of long or short if the quality is good enough people will read. I do know some blogs where the posts are often very short, but the blogger packs a lot of information into a few words. I’ve also see blogs heavy on post length that say little or nothing. I hope I’m not one of the latter.

]]> By: John Alexander http://www.vanseodesign.com/blogging/is-there-an-optimal-post-length-for-blogs/comment-page-1/#comment-510 John Alexander Thu, 01 Mar 2007 20:53:32 +0000 http://www.vanseodesign.com/blog/uncategorized/is-there-an-optimal-post-length-for-blogs/#comment-510 I like the conclusion that a post is done when it's done, when it's managed to convey what it needs to. I hate short little blurbs that describe something without actually going into the important details more than I hate long posts, and I have to admit I have a short attention span. Probably a mix of long and short posts is best, and it's also what your conclusion is likely to get you. Have a look at Fake Steve Jobs blog - some of the posts are nothing but a link ( rare ), some are a paragraph, and some would be a printed page. Most seem to be about three paragraphs, but there's a good mix, something for everybody. Occasionally I'll skip a longer post, and mean to go back and read it, even if I don't wind up doing so. Even still, I can't stress enough how much I hate "fluff." If I read a paragraph that doesn't actually say anything, it's slightly upsetting. I just wasted 60 seconds of my valuable time reading somebody's baseless opinions. Long posts might not catch my attention, or I might drift off halfway through and not finish, but these don't *offend* me. I like the conclusion that a post is done when it’s done, when it’s managed to convey what it needs to. I hate short little blurbs that describe something without actually going into the important details more than I hate long posts, and I have to admit I have a short attention span.

Probably a mix of long and short posts is best, and it’s also what your conclusion is likely to get you. Have a look at Fake Steve Jobs blog – some of the posts are nothing but a link ( rare ), some are a paragraph, and some would be a printed page. Most seem to be about three paragraphs, but there’s a good mix, something for everybody. Occasionally I’ll skip a longer post, and mean to go back and read it, even if I don’t wind up doing so.

Even still, I can’t stress enough how much I hate “fluff.” If I read a paragraph that doesn’t actually say anything, it’s slightly upsetting. I just wasted 60 seconds of my valuable time reading somebody’s baseless opinions. Long posts might not catch my attention, or I might drift off halfway through and not finish, but these don’t *offend* me.

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