May 8, 2025 in Technical Writing

What’s the Ideal Word Count for Technical Authority Blogs in 2025?

Let’s face it—the internet in 2025 is like your neighborhood coffee shop: crowded, noisy, and everyone’s trying to prove their almond milk latte is the best. So, when it comes to technical blog writing, how many words should you pour into a post to stand out and be taken seriously by Google?

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a blinking cursor wondering whether 700 words is enough or if you need to go full Tolstoy, you’re in the right place.

Why Word Count Matters (And Why It Doesn’t)

What Google (Kind of) Tells Us

Google has never officially said, “Hey folks, 1,500 is the magic number.” But through research, updates, and patterns, we know that long-form content tends to rank better.

According to a 2024 study by Semrush, the average word count of pages in the top 3 positions on Google is 1,420 words. Coincidence? Probably not. But let’s break it down.

“The length of your content should be driven by what it takes to satisfy the user’s query.”
John Mueller, Google Search Advocate

So, how do you balance thoroughness with readability (and not boring your audience to tears)?

1. The “Goldilocks Zone” of Technical Blogs

  • Less than 800 words: Too thin to be authoritative.

  • 800–1200 words: Okay for quick, niche tutorials.

  • 1200–2000 words: The ideal zone for building topical authority.

  • 2000+ words: Great for comprehensive guides, but must be well-structured.

Pro Tip:

Use clear headings, bullet points, and visuals. Break content into digestible chunks so your readers don’t run screaming into a Reddit rabbit hole halfway through.

2. Longer Blogs Build Better Context

Search engines love semantic richness. That means you’re using NLP and LSI keywords naturally.

A technical blog on “cloud-native development” might include:

  • Kubernetes

  • CI/CD pipelines

  • Container orchestration

  • Microservices

  • Scalability

Each concept builds contextual relevance, signaling Google that you’re not just keyword-stuffing, but actually know your bytes from your bits.

3. Case Study: HubSpot’s Technical Blog

HubSpot publishes content averaging 2,100+ words, and they dominate SERPs for marketing automation and technical sales content. Why?

  • They dig deep into topics

  • Use internal linking masterfully

  • Cover user intent from all angles

Their strategy proves that depth = authority.

4. The Skimmability Factor

Even long blogs need to be snackable.

Here’s how to do that:

  • Start with a TL;DR

  • Use frequent subheadings

  • Add infographics

  • Highlight technical writing services or callouts

Bullet it. Bold it. Break it up.

5. Search Intent Alignment

A 500-word post on “how to set up a Docker environment” may serve beginners, but a 1,500-word post that also discusses security best practices, environment variables, and CI integration hits the intent jackpot.

Expert Opinion:

“Intent-matched content not only gets more views but also converts better.”
Aleyda Solis, International SEO Consultant

6. Social Sharing Loves Substance

Posts over 1,200 words get 56% more social shares than short ones, according to BuzzSumo.

In-depth guides are:

  • More quotable

  • Easier to repurpose (into LinkedIn carousels or Twitter threads)

  • Viewed as valuable resources

7. Ideal Word Count by Blog Type (2025 Edition)

Blog TypeIdeal Word Count
How-To Tutorial1,200 – 1,500 words
Industry Analysis1,500 – 2,000 words
Product Review1,000 – 1,200 words
Opinion Piece800 – 1,200 words
Ultimate Guide2,000+ words

Final Thoughts: Write Like a Human, Format Like a Pro

Don’t write for the word count. Write for the outcome. Aim to educate, engage, and convert. If that takes 900 words, cool. If it takes 2,000, also cool—as long as every sentence earns its keep.

Internal Linking Magic

To level up your structure and boost topical authority, don’t forget the SEO power of internal linking. For example, check out our expert technical writing services to see how we handle length, tone, and structure like pros.

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