Long-form content: What it is and why you need it in 2025 

Key takeaways: 

• Although most people prefer short content, long-form content is still important. 

• Long-form content lets you explain topics with thorough detail and elaboration. 

• With the right strategies and planning, you can make your own comprehensive long-form content.  

Many people prefer short content since it’s brief and easy to understand. Yet, the reality is that long-form content remains just as important, and businesses need to understand the reasons why.  

Let’s explore long-form content’s significance and its relevance to your brand. We’ll also provide examples of excellent long-form content and explain why they work.  

What is long-form content?   

Long-form content is any piece of content that is longer and more detailed than typical short-form content you find on social media. These include different forms of media such as: 

• Blogs 

• Articles 

• Videos 

• Podcasts 

• e-books 

What sets it apart is its comprehensive nature, giving a detailed and complete view, and usually contains more than 1,000 words.  

Long-form vs. short-form content 

While both short and long content play important roles, they serve different purposes: 

• Short content. It is a type of content that’s typically under 1,000 words. It’s for readers who want quick information at a glance. Common examples include social media posts and news updates.  

• Long content. Long-form content is more in-depth. With more than 1,000 words, you can have detailed analysis, explanations, and real-life examples. If you have complex topics that need thorough elaboration, long-form content is your best tool.  

8 examples of long-form content   

Long-form content is widely used across different industries. Discover the different real-life examples and understand why they work:  

The Verge – Guide to the iPhone 

The Verge provides an extensive guide covering every aspect of the iPhone, from its history to detailed reviews of the latest models, tips, and tricks.  

Why it works: The iPhone constantly evolves, and a long-form guide allows detailed, thorough insights into its history, latest models, and advanced features. Its comprehensiveness appeals to both new users and tech enthusiasts who want in-depth analysis for their reference. 

David Houle and Jonathan Fleece – The New Health Age: The Future of Health Care in America 

David Houle and Jonathan Fleece’s comprehensive book discusses the future of healthcare in America, touching on technology, policy, and healthcare systems.  

Why it works: Healthcare is complex and evolving. It requires careful policy examination and technology review. This book offers readers a chance to understand the future of healthcare in detail while providing actionable knowledge for professionals and consumers. 

Michael Lewis – The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine 

Michael Lewis dives into how the housing and credit bubble built up during the 2000s, leading to the financial crisis of 2007-2008.  

Why it works: The financial crisis of 2007-2008 can be difficult to understand without an in-depth explanation. From examining the root causes to analyzing the consequences, Michael Lewis’s book goes beyond surface-level reporting; it offers insightful details for readers who want to understand the intricate financial world. 

The New York Times – 36 Hours in [City] series  

The “36 Hours in [City]” series of articles by The New York Times provides detailed itineraries for 36-hour stays in various cities around the world, combining culture, cuisine, and attractions. 

Why it works: For travelers, 36-hour itineraries offer more than just a list of attractions—they provide a curated experience that blends local culture, cuisine, and landmarks. The long-form format gives readers the complete picture to help plan meaningful trips.  

Digital Media and Learning Research Hub – The Digital Transformation of Education: Connected Learning 

Digital Media and Learning Research Hub’s extensive report elaborates on how digital technology is transforming education and learning practices.  

Why it works: Education is undergoing rapid change due to digital technology. A long-form report allows experts to explore the many dimensions of this transformation, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of how connected learning is reshaping the educational landscape. 

R.J. Cutler – “The September Issue” Documentary  

“The September Issue” is an in-depth documentary film with an inside look at the production of Vogue magazine’s September 2007 issue, one of the fashion industry’s most influential publications.  

Why it works: Fashion is about more than just the latest trends—it’s an industry driven by creativity and storytelling. A documentary like The September Issue provides an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most influential publications in the fashion world, giving viewers a rich, immersive experience. 

Samin Nosrat – Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking 

This book by Samin Nosrat explores four basic elements of a good dish while explaining the science of cooking in an accessible way.  

Why it works: Cooking is both an art and a science. Samin Nosrat’s book provides readers with a thorough understanding of cooking principles that will serve them in the kitchen. 

Entertainment Weekly – Breaking Bad: An Oral History 

Entertainment Weekly’s feature offers a comprehensive look at the making of the TV show “Breaking Bad,” with insights from the cast and crew.  

Why it works: “Breaking Bad” goes beyond being a TV show, and Entertainment Weekly provides fans with a rich look at the show’s creation and impact, satisfying casual viewers and die-hard fans who want insider knowledge. 

8 formats of long-form content  

Long-form content comes in various formats, with some of the most common ones including:  

• Blog posts. These are typically text-based and can range from detailed analytical pieces to narrative-driven works on a wide array of topics. Blog posts are known for their personal touch and conversational tone, so complex subjects are simpler to understand.  

• Feature articles. Written content that’s longer than standard articles. These often appear in magazines or online platforms with in-depth analysis, extensive research, and expert opinions on diverse subjects. They are well-structured and aim to provide a comprehensive view of the topic.  

• Research papers. Academic or scientific work that elaborate on detailed studies involving extensive research, data analysis, and discussion of findings. They contribute significantly to knowledge in a particular field.  

• E-Books. Digital books that cover topics in great depth. They are often used as educational resources or comprehensive guides on specific subjects.  

• Documentaries. Video-based content that provides an in-depth look into a topic, often combining interviews, narrations, and visual storytelling. Documentaries are effective in illustrating complex ideas in an engaging and accessible manner.  

• Podcasts. Audio programs that explore topics over single or multiple episodes. They offer a comprehensive discussion and are often conversational, featuring experts, interviews, and analyses.  

• Infographics and visual data representations. Visual content that combines data and design to present information in an engaging and easily digestible format. They are often used to accompany longer text-based content.  

• Interactive content. This includes web-based content that encourages user interaction, such as interactive maps, timelines, or quizzes, to provide a more engaging and personalized learning experience about a topic.  

8 benefits of long-form content for brands   

Explore how integrating long-form content on your website and social media platforms can significantly benefit your brand.  

• Strategic value for brands. You demonstrate your commitment to comprehensive analysis and quality information when you write long-form content for users —helping you set yourself apart from the competition.  

• Search engine optimization (SEO) and visibility benefits. Long-form content significantly boosts your brand’s SEO efforts because of its detailed and extensive nature. This engages readers longer, which search engines favor, leading to better search rankings and increased online visibility.  

• Establishing authority and trust. Long-form content helps position your brand as an expert in your niche. Providing thorough and insightful information can earn the trust of your audience, which is crucial for fostering long-term loyalty and engagement.  

• Enhanced user engagement. This type of content offers more opportunities for user interaction, such as comments and shares, especially when it addresses topics in depth. Engaged users are more likely to connect with your brand, potentially leading to higher conversion rates.  

• Content versatility. Long-form content can be repurposed into various formats like infographics, podcasts, and video snippets to maximize your content’s reach across different platforms.  

• Building a content library. Long-form content contributes to building a substantial content library over time, which can become a valuable resource for both existing and potential customers seeking information.  

• Improved customer education. Comprehensive long-form content educates your customers more effectively, which can lead to better-informed purchasing decisions and increased customer satisfaction.  

• Long-term traffic. Short-form content often generates immediate but short-lived traffic. On the other hand, long-form content can attract visitors over a longer period thanks to its enduring relevance and depth.  

How to make long-form content work on social media  

Social media platforms have various content formats, and it’s wise to adapt your content to cater to your audiences on that platform. See how you can maximize this opportunity for all your long-form content.  

• Adapt for social media. Transform your long-form content for social media by breaking it into digestible posts, creating threads, or sharing key insights as teasers with links to the full article. This strategy engages the audience over time and maintains interest.  

• Visualize content. Use graphics, infographics, or video snippets derived from your long-form content to capture attention on visually driven platforms like Instagram or Pinterest. This approach makes complex information more accessible and shareable.  

• Serialize content. Consider serializing longer content into multiple parts to create anticipation and return visits. This approach works well on platforms like Twitter or Facebook, where ongoing engagement can be fostered over several posts.  

• Use interactive elements. Incorporate polls, questions, or calls-to-action related to the long-form content, inviting interaction and discussion on social media platforms. This tactic boosts engagement and provides valuable feedback and insights from the audience.  

• Host live sessions. Use platforms like Facebook Live or Instagram Live to discuss topics covered in your long-form content. This live interaction allows for real-time engagement with the audience while adding a personal touch.  

• Creating community discussions. Utilize long-form content to create discussion threads in online communities or groups, encouraging deeper conversation and engagement around the topics covered.  

• Use stories and reels. Leverage Instagram and Facebook for short video formats like Stories or Reels to highlight interesting parts of long-form content and direct viewers to the full piece.  

• Leverage ActiveCampaign insights. Using insights from resources like the ActiveCampaign glossary helps craft informative and optimized content for engagement, fitting seamlessly into a brand’s broader marketing strategy.  

Evaluating your brand’s strategy for long-form content   

Before you produce long-form content, you need to consider various things. Check out these important points that you need to evaluate.  

Checklist for determining suitability  

• Does your industry lean towards complex topics that require detailed explanations?  

• Is your target audience known for seeking thorough information?  

• Do your marketing goals involve establishing thought leadership or enhancing SEO?  

• Can long-form content provide value that your current content strategy is missing?  

Key factors to consider  

• Industry demands. Some industries, such as technology, healthcare, and finance, naturally lean toward long-form content where detailed explanations are necessary.  

• Target audience preferences. Different customers will have varying tastes. Understand if your audience prefers comprehensive information or if they lean towards quicker, more digestible content.  

• Marketing goals alignment. A content strategy can help you reach your targets. Assess if long-form content supports your goals, such as improving search engine rankings, building brand authority, or educating customers more effectively.  

Critical evaluation of current strategy  

• Reflect on your existing content strategy and identify any gaps that long-form content could fill.  

• Consider the resources available for creating quality long-form content, like time, budget, and expertise.  

• Evaluate past content performance to gauge audience engagement with different content types.  

A step-by-step guide to writing long-form content  

Writing a long-form post should start with proper planning. If you’re looking to create a long-form piece for your brand today, follow our steps.  

1. Begin with comprehensive research. Start by gathering extensive information about your topic. Don’t stop at online research, try consulting industry experts, reading relevant books, and analyzing existing studies. The depth of your research will be the foundation of your content’s value.  

2. Outline your content. Structure your content with a detailed outline. Include key points, subtopics, and any data or case studies you plan to include. A well-structured outline ensures that your content flows logically and covers all necessary aspects.  

3. Engage through storytelling. Incorporate storytelling elements to make your content more engaging. This can involve real-life examples, anecdotes, or case studies that make the information relatable and memorable to your audience.  

4. Focus on quality writing. Ensure clarity, coherence, and an engaging writing style in your content. Long-form content should be informative yet easy to read, avoiding overly complex language or jargon that might confuse your readers.  

5. Incorporate visuals and multimedia. Enhance your content with relevant images, infographics, or videos. Visuals can break up text-heavy sections, making the content more digestible and appealing.  

6. Edit and revise. Thoroughly edit your content for accuracy, grammar, and style. Consider getting feedback from peers or using professional editing services to polish your content.  

7. Maintain a consistent publishing schedule. Plan your long-form content publications strategically. Regularly publishing quality content can help build and maintain an engaged audience.  

8. Promote and monitor engagement. After publishing, promote your content across various channels or platforms. Monitor engagement through comments, shares, and analytics to understand your audience’s response and gather insights for future content.  

Challenges in creating long-form content  

Writing long-form pieces isn’t always a breeze. There are challenges that impede your writing process and affect the speed and quality of your writing. It’s important to recognize these and come up with remedies to address them.  

Common challenges  

• Time constraints. The comprehensive nature of long-form content demands a huge chunk of your time, which can be a challenge for busy teams.  

• Writer’s block. The pressure to produce extensive and high-quality content can sometimes lead to writer’s block, where ideas and words come to a standstill.  

• Information overload. Long-form content requires gathering extensive information, which can be overwhelming. Sifting through large volumes of data to ensure you have the most relevant and reliable sources can slow down the process. 

• Consistency. Your content quality can dip when writing sections over an extended period, it can be hard to maintain the same energy and engagement throughout the entire content. 

• Inspiration. A unique angle or content structure can be difficult to produce, even with thorough research. Long-form writing requires creativity to engage your audience while keeping the piece’s integrity and accuracy. 

Actionable tips for addressing challenges  

• Manage your time effectively. Break down the content creation process into manageable tasks and set realistic deadlines. Consider allocating specific time blocks for research, writing, editing, and revising.  

• Overcome your writer’s block. Step away from the project for a short period to clear your mind. You can reignite your creativity by engaging in different activities or seeking inspiration from related works. Additionally, starting with the sections you feel most confident about can help you ease into the writing process.  

• Use your team’s strengths. Collaborate with team members who can contribute different skills and perspectives. This can include sharing the research load, brainstorming together, or peer-reviewing drafts.  

• Leverage content creation tools. Use digital tools for content planning (Trello and Asana), writing assistance (Grammarly and Hemingway Editor), and project management (Monday.com and Basecamp) to streamline the creation process and maintain efficiency.  

• Manage information overload. Use a content curation tool (like Pocket or Feedly) to collect and organize relevant sources in one place. You can also create a simple outline that breaks down the core elements you need to address in your content. This way, you’re not overwhelmed by excess information and can focus only on what’s essential. 

• Keep content consistent. Set clear guidelines for your tone and style at the outset and stick to them. Create a content style guide for reference, and make sure to regularly check your work for consistency. Using tools like ProWritingAid can help maintain consistency by analyzing your writing for style and structure across longer pieces. 

• Get creative with inspiration. Try brainstorming with a team when stuck. Sometimes, discussing the topic aloud can spark new ideas. Take a break and engage with content outside your usual focus—watch a relevant documentary, listen to a podcast, or read a book that ties into the theme. This can trigger fresh insights.  

• Avoid content fatigue. Break up the writing process into shorter sessions. Set a timer to keep your energy levels high. Remember, you don’t need to write everything in one go. Focus on completing small, digestible portions, then step back for a rest before returning to the next section. 

• Outsource when necessary. Consider outsourcing certain aspects like research, writing, or editing to professional freelancers or content agencies if your internal resources are stretched.  

Publish long-form content today!  

As you look for informative content online, you tend to prefer short content because it’s easy to skim through it. However, in critical topics like health, science, legal issues, and historical analysis, you need more than a few paragraphs.  

Long-form content covers all the bases that readers need to understand a topic. It provides readers comprehensive knowledge, so it’s invaluable for educating readers with certain subjects.   

To help you get started, try Web.com’s AI Writer. This easy-to-use tool simplifies the writing process for you. It helps you create detailed articles quickly and with high quality just by entering a prompt. Give our AI Writer a try today by subscribing to one of our web packages!