We regularly see Squarespace forum posts defining “thin content” as pages with less than 300 words—this definition is wrong and encourages the notion that “word count” matters for SEO.
Myth: SEO requires a minimum word count.
Fact: Google has repeatedly stated that “word count” or “blog length” doesn’t determine ranking or page quality.
Google’s John Mueller on Twitter
Why does the misconception persist?
The SEO word count myth partly stems from SEO tools needing quantifiable metrics, thus some tools assign “text length” as an indicator. The correlation is reinforced so often that beginners often believe content length impacts indexing and performance. However, this oversimplification ignores any emphasis on quality over quantity.
What is “thin content”?
Thin content lacks depth, originality, or relevance. Thin pages offer little or no value to users. The term refers to low quality, not low word count.
Is there a minimum word count for SEO?
Absolutely not. Search engines prioritize helpful, reliable information over sheer volume. The best SEO-friendly content meets user intent, regardless of length. Your goal is to cover topics with enough depth to be informative, but remain digestible and engaging.
So, how long should blog posts be?
There is no “ideal length” for blog posts or any other web page. Whether a topic warrants a concise explanation or a deep dive depends on the subject matter and the audience’s expectations. Common sense and a little research will tell you when short or long-form articles are appropriate.
SEO Word Count: Think For Yourself
Using an “SEO word counter” suggests a misunderstanding of SEO best practices. Success depends on satisfying user queries with authoritative, clear, and useful content. If you focus on delivering value and relevance, a succinct page can effectively address the user’s needs and outperform longer pages.
⬆️ 290 words
