Publishing long-form content is a powerful way to establish brand authority, connect with your audience, and achieve better search visibility. From detailed blog posts to in-depth guides to case studies to ebooks, learn how long-form content can drive a successful content marketing strategy.
What is long-form content?
Long-form content is digital media—written, video, or audio—that is longer and more in-depth than its short-form counterpart. In general, written content is considered long-form if it exceeds 1,000 words. Video content is classified as long form if it’s over 10 minutes, and long-form audio content is more than 50 minutes long.
Long-form content includes lead magnets such as how-to guides, ebooks, white papers, webinars, and case studies, as well as journalistic articles, video essays, and podcast episodes. To produce long-form content for your business, you might consider a step-by-step guide on how to use a product, a case study with a strong customer testimonial, or an article about your company’s annual research findings.
How does long-form content differ from short-form content?
Long-form content differs from short-form content in a few key areas:
Length and depth
The simplest difference between long-form and short-form content is length. While long-form content is typically more than 1,000 words (written), 10 minutes (video), or 50 minutes (audio), short-form content is—you guessed it—shorter. For example, YouTube Shortsand Instagram Reels have a maximum run time of three minutes. Both are types of short-form content.
Despite an emphasis on length, it’s arguably better to classify long-form content by depth. Long-form pieces offer richer details and more complex information than short-form content. Simple topics such as short news announcements, promotions, or FAQs may be better suited to short-form formats such as emails, brief blog posts, and social media posts.
Structure
Long-form content is often broken into subsections. In long-form writing, headings and subheadings make valuable information easy to read and reference.
Short-form content offers bite-sized information that can be grasped at a glance. Short-form content can still be valuable, so long as it isn’t “thin content,” an SEO content marketing term that describes written pieces with little substance.
Performance
Long-form content naturally includes more keywords and backlinks than shorter media, often leading to better rankings with search engine algorithms. That said, you should prioritize your goals and your target customers’ search intent when deciding whether to produce long- or short-form content. In other words, don’t artificially extend a simple, short blog post just to stuff it with keywords, but do produce a long, comprehensive one if you’re helping your audience learn about a complex topic or product.
Investment
Producing long-form content requires a significant investment. A 5,000-word blog post or a 30-minute webinar is more expensive to create than a short-form social media post. Quality content writers and agencies typically charge at least 50¢ per word—and that’s on the low end for skilled professionals. Factors that can influence the price of long-form content include the time and research it takes to compile information, as well as the writer’s level of subject matter expertise.
Benefits of long-form content
Long-form content can be a powerful tool in your content marketing strategy and has several benefits:
Increases average time on site
When users engage with in-depth content rich in valuable insights—whether it’s an in-depth case study or a how-to guide for setting up an online store— they typically spend more time on your website compared to shorter pieces.
More time on your site means more familiarity with your brand—and more opportunities to turn that brand awareness into sales.
Boosts search rankings
Long-form content offers more opportunities to rank on search engine results pages (SERPs), since it often generates more return traffic, social shares, and backlinks than shorter forms. Backlinks are a known ranking factor, with the average first result in Google’s SERPs containing 3.8 times as many backlinks as content in positions two to 10, according to research from Ahrefs and Backlinko..
According to recent research from Ahrefs and Backlinko, the average first result in a Google SERP provides comprehensive, detailed topical coverage, is 1,447 words long, and generates 3.8 times as many backlinks as content in the number two to 10 spots.
Increases high-quality traffic
Creating long-form content can increase your website traffic by attracting repeat visitors who are already familiar with your brand. Return visitors represent high-quality traffic, as they are more likely to make a purchase after engaging with your content.
High-quality traffic can help you move closer to converting visits into sales, ultimately boosting your site’s conversions. If users know they consistently get high-value content on your blog or video channel, they’re much more likely to return, explore, and share your content on social media platforms. This builds brand authority and word-of-mouth referrals.
Builds authority and expertise
Long-form content provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your brand’s expertise and establish authority in your industry. By creating comprehensive resources that thoroughly address topics relevant to your audience, you signal to both readers and search engines that you’re a credible source of information.
Detailed, well-researched content aligns with Google’s focus on helpful content that demonstrates expertise. When you consistently publish authoritative long-form content, you build trust with your audience and position your brand as a go-to resource in your niche.
This authority building extends beyond SEO benefits—it creates lasting relationships with your audience based on the value you provide, making them more likely to consider your products or services when they’re ready to make a purchase decision.
When to use long-form content (and when not to)
Understanding when long-form content is appropriate—and when it isn’t—is crucial for an effective content strategy:
Ideal scenarios for long-form content
Long-form content works best when your audience is actively seeking comprehensive information and:
- The topic is complex
- You want to establish yourself as an authority on the subject
- You need to create cornerstone content as a definitive resource
For these situations, long-form content enables you to thoroughly explore the subject matter, offering readers valuable insights and detailed information.
Topics better suited for short-form content
Short-form content is often more appropriate when your audience desires quick, actionable insights and:
- You have a simple, concise announcement
- You’re publishing on a platform that favors brevity, such as social media or email
- The topic would feel stretched or padded if expanded
- You have limited resources for content creation
Regardless of its length, all your content should provide genuine value.
Examples of long-form content
A competitor analysis can help you see exactly how other industry players organize and display information. Here are some common examples of long-form content to use as models:
Written guides
Here’s an extensive guide from the Shopify blog on how to start an online store. Weighing in at over 10,000 words (and an estimated 44-minute read), this comprehensive guide provides a step-by-step breakdown.
It gives concrete, helpful information to inspire readers to take action. It’s structured and organized with headings (H1s, H2s, and H3s), bullet points, numbered lists, and bookmarks to help users find relevant sections when needed. The guide also contains screenshots and charts to break up blocks of text and provide visual context.
Case studies
Case studies provide in-depth analysis of a particular organization, business, or individual. Here’s a case study from Shopify.
In three easy-to-follow sections, the case study outlines the business challenge, the step-by-step plan to solve it, and the successful result.
The piece also uses design elements like embedded images and pull quotes to provide context and highlight important information.
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Video how-tos
Here’s an example video from the Learn With Shopify YouTube channel. Just like written long-form content, the video is structured so viewers can easily find what they need, featuring timestamps on the progress bar and title cards to indicate subject changes. Visual aids such as graphics break up the video content and offer helpful examples.
Podcast episode
Shopify Masters is a podcast featuring conversations with entrepreneurs and industry experts. This episode with The GLD Shop founder is part case study and part conversation. The audience gets to hear the company’s strategies and struggles in an engaging question-and-answer format.
Interactive long-form content
Interactive content invites active participation. Examples include:
- Assessment tools that provide personalized recommendations based on user inputs
- Calculators that let users determine costs, savings, or other relevant metrics
- Decision trees to guide choices and reach tailored conclusions
- Infographics that reveal additional information as users hover or click on different elements
- Quizzes that test and educate users about your industry or products
Interactive content transforms passive reading into active engagement, increasing time on page, improving information retention, and creating memorable experiences that static content can’t match. Data collected through interactions can also provide valuable insights about your audience’s preferences and pain points.
Free Content Strategy Template
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How to create long-form content
- Choose a long-form topic
- Identify your audience
- Organize around clusters of information
- Optimize for search engines
- Craft your hook
- Add visuals
- Revise for accuracy and clarity
- Create a compelling title
- Promote your long-form content
- Measure performance and refine
Whether you’re writing long-form content or filming a long-form video, consider these steps to create the right media for your content strategy:
1. Choose a long-form topic
The topics you cover with long-form content should have a wide scope, with room for in-depth research that you can break into sections. Complex topics readers can access on an ongoing basis are usually good bets.
Successful long-form content is also user-friendly and engaging. Before writing, consider the distribution channel. Long-form content is a natural fit for in-house blogs, monthly newsletters, and YouTube channels, where visitors can spend more time digesting the information.
2. Identify your audience
Defining your target audience is key to creating content that provides reader value. Knowing your target audience can determine the angle that shapes a piece of content. Consider how a blog post for existing customers would differ from a post for uncertain prospective buyers.
Researching your audience to understand their unique needs and interests helps you frame information to improve conversion rates. Tap into web analytics and social media analytics to gain a deeper understanding of your audience. The more relevant your content, the more likely your audience will consume it.
You can also use free SEO tools to research the keywords and questions people use when searching for your brand or product category.
3. Organize around clusters of information
A giant block of unfocused text or a 20-minute talking head video can easily exhaust attention and increase bounce rates. Effective long-form content is well-organized, easy to digest, and engaging.
Break content into sections or short paragraphs so users can skim for relevant information and easily return to important sections. For written content, use headings and subheadings to organize your text effectively. For video, use timestamps and visible transitions like title cards.
4. Optimize for search engines
Optimizing your long-form content for search engines requires strategic attention to both technical and topical elements:
- Conduct thorough keyword research to identify topically relevant primary, secondary, and long-tail keywords.
- Structure content with a clear hierarchy using H1, H2, and H3 tags that naturally incorporate target keywords.
- Create a comprehensive table of contents with jump links to improve navigation and user experience.
- Optimize meta titles and descriptions to accurately represent content and entice clicks.
- Include internal links to relevant content on your site and to create content clusters around key topics.
- Incorporate external links to authoritative sources that support your claims and provide additional context.
- Ensure content is mobile-friendly with a responsive design and fast loading times.
- Use schema markup when appropriate to help search engines understand your content’s purpose and structure.
Remember that the most important SEO factor is creating genuinely helpful content that thoroughly addresses user intent. Search algorithms increasingly prioritize content that demonstrates expertise, authority, and trustworthiness while providing comprehensive answers to searchers’ questions.
5. Craft your hook
A hook is an attention-grabbing introduction. Since long-form posts are a time commitment, it’s essential to capture your audience’s attention as soon as possible.
Spend time crafting an engaging introduction that immediately communicates the value your content offers. Effective hooks can take several forms:
- Surprising statistic or fact
- A compelling story that illustrates a problem your content will solve
- A thought-provoking question that resonates with your audience’s challenges
- A scenario that helps readers visualize how your insights will benefit them
- A bold statement that captures attention and establishes authority
Your hook should clearly identify the problem or need that your content addresses, establish why you’re qualified to provide guidance, and give readers a preview of the value they’ll gain by continuing to read. This fosters emotional engagement and provides logical justification for investing time in your content.
6. Add visuals
Visuals add value by illustrating complex principles. A chart can break up a long article or video and make information easy to digest.
Effective visuals for long-form content can include:
- Screenshots demonstrating processes or features
- Custom illustrations that explain concepts
- Infographics that summarize key points or statistics
- Data visualizations that communicate complex information at a glance
- Product images annotated to highlight important features
- Embedded videos that reinforce written content
For maximum impact, ensure visuals are high-quality, sized for various devices, and include descriptive alt text.
7. Revise for accuracy and clarity
To ensure accuracy and clarity and to foster trust in your brand, add at least one round of revisions to your content creation process. Task editors with optimizing content so that it is grammatically correct, matches reader intent, contains factual statements backed by reliable sources, and adheres to your editorial and brand guidelines.
8. Create a compelling title
The title is the first element your visitors engage with. When creating a title for your content, choose something that is both descriptive and compelling. Ask yourself: What problem is my target audience hoping to solve? How does this content offer a unique solution?
Aim for a thorough, descriptive title that contains your primary keyword and is less than 60 characters long.
9. Promote your long-form content
To ensure people see your comprehensive guide, webinar, or e-book, excerpt juicy soundbites and highlight pull quotes or other micro-content on social media. This type of promotion is essential to a comprehensive SEO and social media marketing strategy and can increase your content’s reach and boost your website ranking through backlinks and increased organic traffic.
10. Measure performance and refine
The content cycle doesn’t end at publishing—next, you need to track its success and make regular refinements for continued relevance and performance. This process entails:
- Monitoring key metrics such as page views, time on page, scroll depth, and bounce rate
- Tracking conversion metrics like email signups, product views, and purchases attributed to content
- Analyzing which traffic sources drove the most engaged visitors to your content
- Identifying which sections of your content generate the most engagement (and which don’t)
- Comparing performance against similar content pieces to identify patterns
- Collecting user feedback through comments, social shares, and direct outreach
Once you understand how your content is performing, you can optimize it by:
- Expanding the sections that generate interest
- Clarifying, restructuring, or removing segments with high drop-off rates
- Updating facts and statistics according to the latest data
- Adjusting SEO elements based on actual search performance
AI tools for long-form content creation
Artificial intelligence can be a powerful assistant, but it doesn’t replace human creativity and expertise. Here are some effective ways to use AI for long-form content creation:
Using AI for research and outlining
AI tools can significantly streamline your research and planning process by helping you generate topic outlines based on primary keywords, identify related subtopics and common audience questions, and analyze competitor content for gaps you can fill. You can also use it to summarize background data and help identify relevant examples, case studies, statistics, and other data points to support your piece. Just be sure to follow careful protocols for prompting and fact-checking since current tools are still prone to AI hallucinations.
AI for content enhancement (not replacement)
Rather than relying on AI to generate complete articles, use it strategically to enhance your human-written content. AI tools can help you improve readability by reviewing your text and suggesting clearer sentence structures and transitions, generating word variations to avoid repetition, identifying opportunities to add definitions or data, and flagging work for potential bias. AI can also quickly create headlines and subheadings for you to review and test, as well as suggest calls-to-action (CTAs).
Always review, edit, and enhance AI-suggested content to ensure it meets quality standards and authentically represents your brand’s unique perspective and knowledge.
Long-form content FAQ
Does long-form content still perform for SEO in 2025?
Yes, long-form content is still good for your SEO strategy in 2025. Written content of more than 1,000 words typically receives more backlinks and shares than short-form content, particularly when it provides comprehensive, relevant coverage.
What are some effective distribution channels for long-form content?
Long-form content is a natural fit for places like in-house blogs and YouTube channels, while short-form content can be the right format for other channels such as emails, guest blog posts, and social media posts.
Should visuals be included in long-form content?
Yes, include relevant visuals in your long-form content because they can add value by illustrating complex principles and breaking up long periods of text or video. Add images, charts, pull quotes, or infographics.
How long should long-form content be in 2025?
While there’s some debate around what constitutes long-form content, you should generally aim for more than 1,000 words for written pieces, more than 10 minutes for video, and more than 50 minutes for audio.
