Short-Form Content vs. Long-Form Content: What Content Marketers Need to Know
By EmoryDay
July 30, 2025
4 Minute Read
In today’s digital world, content (whether it’s written or video) is still king, but not all content wears the same crown.
As businesses strive to create content that engages their audiences, drives traffic to their site and landing pages, and, ultimately, converts leads, one critical question keeps popping up: Should you focus on long-form or short-form content?
At EmoryDay, we help businesses navigate the kinds of content they should be producing every day.
Let’s break down the strengths of both formats, types of each, and how a strategic blend of both short-form and long-form content can actually maximize your results.
What is Short-Form Content?
Hootsuite defines short-form content as a “piece of content that can be consumed and understood in a short amount of time.”
Some examples of short-form content include:
- Social media posts
- TikToks
- Tweets
- Instagram Reels
- Instagram Stories
- Instagram Threads
- Short emails
- Infographics
- Micro-blogs
- YouTube Shorts or other short videos (under 2 minutes)
- Photos
- Memes
Benefits of Short-Form Content
Short-form content performs well on some of the most popular social media platforms, like X, Instagram, and TikTok.
Short-form content is also obviously easier and faster to create. Plus, it’s easy to consume, which can be helpful for shorter attention spans. It’s easy to share. Short-form is also great for building brand awareness.
Short vs. Long Content
Boost reach and results with both
What is Long-Form Content?
Long-form content typically refers to articles, blog posts, videos, or other pieces that exceed 1,000 words or 5 minutes in length.
Some examples of long-form content include:
- Webinars
- Explainer videos
- Podcast episodes
- In-depth blog posts
- White papers
- Case studies
- Guides
- Demos/Tutorials
- Newsletters
Benefits of Long-Form Content
According to Marketing guru and New York Times bestselling author, Neil Patel, “Long-form content is better at getting conversions and, ultimately, more revenue since it has more information, value, and context for the audience.”
Also, Hootsuite loves that long-form content offers “in-depth information and analysis,” which can help set your business up as a leader in your industry.
Because long-form content offers lots of opportunities for SEO, it can help you rank higher with the various search engines, like Google.
Long-form can also help you nurture your leads. You can leverage longer pieces of content, like downloadable ebooks or white papers that your leads will find valuable.
And, Forbes explains that “quality long-form content has the benefit of versatility.”
Last but not least, long-form content is great for producing evergreen content that your audience will find valuable for years to come.
Long-Form vs. Short-Form: Which is Best?
At the end of the day, one isn’t better than the other. They just serve different purposes. And, both short-form and long-form content are important for content marketers to produce.
For instance, Neil Patel suggests that short-form is “good for top-of-funnel content, where you want to get attention and views, build a following, and create awareness and buzz around your brand, but it won't do much for conversions or sales.”
However, it’s still important that you have content that attracts attention and builds awareness for your brand. Right?
The Smartest Move: Use Both
Hootsuite explains how important it is that both types of content should have “time to shine.” They also stress that the key to determining whether to use long-form or short-form content should be based on the wants and needs of your audience.
And, don’t forget that you can take long-form content and repurpose it into short-form by creating social media posts or short videos. And, you can use short-form content to promote any longer pieces.
Revolutionize Your Content Strategy with EmoryDay
Need help coming up with a content strategy that mixes both short-form and long-form for maximum impact?
Our team of digital strategists and content creators is here to help your business grow—one word (or 1,000) at a time.
If you have any questions about our digital marketing services, just fill out our contact form or give us a call at (888)494-3810.
Resources
https://sproutsocial.com/insights/content-calendar/
https://www.godaddy.com/resources/skills/how-to-create-content-calendar
https://dotdigital.com/blog/marketing-content-calendar-guide/
Frequently Asked Questions
Short-form content is quick to consume and typically under 1,000 words or 2 minutes in length. Examples include social media posts, short videos, memes, and infographics. It’s ideal for catching attention and building brand awareness.
Long-form content, on the other hand, exceeds 1,000 words or 5 minutes and offers more depth. Examples include blogs, webinars, podcasts, white papers, and case studies. This format is better for nurturing leads, establishing authority, and boosting SEO.
Short-form content is best used at the top of the marketing funnel to grab attention, increase visibility, and drive initial engagement. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) thrive on short, snappy content that’s easy to share and digest. It’s especially effective for generating brand awareness and quick updates.
Long-form content provides in-depth value, positioning your brand as a thought leader while improving SEO rankings. It’s more likely to convert leads due to its comprehensive nature. Plus, it’s versatile—longer pieces can be repurposed into bite-sized formats like social posts or infographics, extending their usefulness and reach.
No, the smartest content strategy is a blend of both. Short-form content drives attention and engagement, while long-form content builds trust, provides value, and converts leads. Repurposing long-form content into shorter pieces (and vice versa) maximizes efficiency and audience reach. The best format depends on your audience’s needs and your specific marketing goals.
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