Long Form Content vs Short Form Content: Which Is Best?

There is no denying that in running a business, content is king. Content drives more traffic to a website, generates leads, and builds your brand. So, if you want your business to succeed, you must create high-quality content. But how do you achieve this?

There is a lot of debate on the topic of whether long-form or short-form content is better for business. Some people believe that short form is more valuable because it can be simpler to understand and more engaging. On the other hand, some experts believe that long-form content is more effective because it offers more information and it’s easier to share.

If you are still deciding what content format to choose for content marketing, KAFE Digital is here to help you! This blog article will provide you with everything you need to learn about long and short-form content to choose the best content strategy for your business.

What Is Long-Form Content?

Long-form content is extensive and it addresses more than just one aspect of a subject. More often than not, it has more than 1,000 words. Some marketers even define it as having more than 2,000 words. This kind of content helps organizations build authority, rank higher in search engine results, and establish a core audience.

Benefits of Long-Form Content

A writer's laptop and a notebook to write a long form article

Long-form content can be beneficial for SEO purposes, but here are the other benefits of long-form content:

Performs Better in Search Results

In terms of SEO, long-form pieces are incredibly effective. When a user asks a question, Google aims to deliver the highest-quality post it can locate. And as you expect, factors like content length, the number of pertinent search terms included in the content, and time on the page have significant roles.

Anchors Your Content

Long-form content is also the most effective way to cover a subject thoroughly, answer concerns and related topics, and present fresh perspectives. So you may build an anchor page that gets a lot of search engine traffic.

Boosts Reputation and Credibility

Long-form writing can help you position yourself as an authority on the subject you’re writing about. Taking the time to go comprehensively and thoroughly research all elements of a topic, referring to reliable sources, shows your audience that you are genuinely invested in finding a solution to the problem.

Great Social Media Recognition

On social media, longer content is shared more frequently than shorter content. This is because individuals are more inclined to share a lengthier post with their followers since they believe they will benefit more. More shares help in expanding the audience for your brand. This is an excellent advantage of creating long-form content since it is essential given the rising level of competition. Long-form content on social media also promotes brand recognition and website traffic.

Drawbacks of Long Form Content

Long-form content may have a lot of advantages for your business, but there are some aspects to weigh. Here are some drawbacks of long-form content:

Longer Production Process

One of the biggest drawbacks of long-form content is that the content writing process takes longer to make than short-form content. This is because long-form content takes extensive research, referencing, fact-checking, and writing for SEO, making it complicated and time-consuming to produce content over 2,000 words.

Not Always Mobile-Friendly

Reading long posts on a mobile device can be challenging and tiresome. Given the lower screen size and shorter attention spans, it might not draw many users of mobile devices.

Examples of Long Form Content

Here are some examples of long-form content:

Brochure and Datasheets
Definitive guides
Annual Reviews
Roundups
E-books and Whitepapers

What Is Short-Form Content?

Short-form content is any content your audience can easily and quickly digest, whether they’re reading, watching, or listening. This material often consists of articles or any writing with an average length of under 1000 words. Businesses occasionally use this kind of content as part of a compilation of informational pieces that add to a theme.

Benefits of Short-Form Content

While many people think that long-form content is the standard of content marketing because of its advantages, the benefits of short-form marketing should not be ignored. Here are its benefits:

Lesser Time to Create

In most cases, creating short-form content takes less time than long-form content, especially if the writer is knowledgeable about the topic.

Made for Faster Conversions

Short-form content is made to be read more quickly, so website visitors will get to your CTAs and internal hyperlinks much quicker. This way, users looking for immediate answers or solutions can convert easily.

Easy to Consume

With many people using their mobile phones, users appreciate short but relevant content. Short-form postings reduce commitment and encourage viewers to read from start to finish.

Drawbacks of Short-Form Content

Now that you know about the benefits of short-form content, it’s time to learn more about its drawbacks:

Fewer SEO Opportunities

Short-form content or those with a lesser word count is not as favorable in terms of search engine optimization performance. Yes, it is an excellent choice for providing readers with brief information. Still, you shouldn’t depend on it to create informative content and completely boost your SEO.

Less Comprehensive

As opposed to long-form written content, short-form content typically lacks as much research and detail. As a result, you may not give as many detailed insights, which might lower your credibility.

Examples of Short Form Content

Here are some examples of short-form content:

Listicles
Social media posts
Short form videos
Short blog posts and articles

Long Form vs Short Form: Which One to Choose For Your Business?

KAFE Digital professional discussing content creation with a business owner

Now that you have a better grasp of the differences between long and short-form content, the question still remains: which is best for your business? The answer depends on the marketing goals and needs of your business because each type of content serves different functions in your content marketing strategy.

Build Your Brand and Elevate Your Business With KAFE Digital!

Whether you opt for long or short-form content, KAFE Digital can provide solutions to your digital needs. Our team of professionals offers top-notch services if you need expert advice and assistance on content marketing, website development, SEO, and more. With our years of experience, we can deliver your desired results and exceed your expectations. Together, let us bring your business to new heights with effective content marketing efforts!

Long Form Content vs Short Form Content: Which Is Best for Your Business?