Your blog post introduction should scale with article length: a 1,000-word article needs a 100-150 word intro, a 1,500-2,000 word article needs 150-200 words, and 3,000+ word articles need 200-250 words. The most critical best practice is including your primary keyword in the first 100 words. Research shows users decide whether to stay or leave within 3 seconds, making your opening hook essential.

This guide covers introduction length best practices and strategies for engaging readers from the first sentence.

The Introduction Length Formula

Optimal Length by Article Size

Key Best Practices

Critical requirements:

• Include primary keyword in first 100 words
• Hook reader in first sentence
• Users decide to stay/leave within 3 seconds

Why This Range Works

Too short (under 5%):

• May feel abrupt
• Lacks context for complex topics
• Misses opportunity to hook readers

Too long (over 20%):

• Delays the promised value
• Frustrates readers wanting information
• Often contains unnecessary preamble

Optimal intro length:

• Sufficient for hook, context, and promise
• Moves quickly to substance
• Respects reader’s time

The First 100 Words Are Critical

Why Early Words Matter Most

Attention span reality:

• 55% of visitors spend fewer than 15 seconds on a page
• Decision to continue happens in first few sentences
• First 100 words determine whether people scroll down

What to accomplish in first 100 words:

1. Hook attention
2. Establish relevance to the reader
3. Promise the article’s value
4. Signal what they’ll learn

Front-Loading Value

Answer-first approach: Start with the answer or key takeaway, then elaborate.

Example (weak): “In today’s digital age, many people wonder about the best way to write introductions. This is a common question that many content creators face. In this article, we’ll explore…”

Example (strong): “Your blog introduction should be 10-15% of your total word count. A 2,000-word post needs 200-300 words of introduction—long enough to hook readers, short enough to not waste their time.”

The strong example delivers value immediately.

Essential Introduction Elements

The Hook

What it does: Grabs attention in the first 1-2 sentences

Hook types:

• Statistic: “55% of visitors spend fewer than 15 seconds on your page.”
• Question: “How many readers bounce from your posts before the first subheading?”
• Bold statement: “Most blog introductions are too long.”
• Story/anecdote: “Last week, I analyzed 50 blog posts and found a pattern.”
• Problem statement: “Long, meandering introductions kill engagement.”

Length: 1-2 sentences (15-40 words)

The Context

What it does: Explains why this topic matters, establishes relevance

Context elements:

• Why the reader should care
• What problem this solves
• Common misconceptions
• Brief background if needed

Length: 2-4 sentences (40-100 words)

The Promise

What it does: Tells readers what they’ll learn or gain

Promise formats:

• “This guide covers…” (explicit)
• “By the end, you’ll know how to…” (benefit-focused)
• “We’ll explore…” (preview)

Length: 1-2 sentences (20-40 words)

Introduction Formulas

The PAS Formula

Problem → Agitation → Solution

Structure:

1. State the problem (1-2 sentences)
2. Agitate—show consequences of the problem (1-2 sentences)
3. Present your article as the solution (1 sentence)

Example: “Long introductions lose readers before they reach your main content. (Problem) Every second of delay increases bounce rate, wasting the work you put into the rest of your article. (Agitation) This guide shows you exactly how long your introduction should be and how to hook readers in the first 100 words. (Solution)”

The APP Formula

Agree → Promise → Preview

Structure:

1. Agree with a reader’s known belief or experience
2. Promise what the article delivers
3. Preview the main points

Example: “You’ve heard that introductions matter, but conflicting advice makes it hard to know what works. (Agree) This article gives you clear, data-backed guidelines for introduction length. (Promise) You’ll learn the ideal word count, the critical first 100 words, and how to hook readers immediately. (Preview)”

The Direct Formula

Answer → Context → Promise

Structure:

1. Give the answer immediately
2. Provide supporting context
3. Promise additional value

Example: “Your introduction should be 200-300 words for a 2,000-word post—that’s 10-15% of total length. (Answer) This range gives you enough space to hook readers without testing their patience. (Context) Below, you’ll find specific formulas, examples, and common mistakes to avoid. (Promise)”

What to Avoid in Introductions

The Preamble Trap

Problem: Excessive buildup before delivering value

Example of preamble trap: “In today’s fast-paced digital world, content is more important than ever. With so much competition online, bloggers need to stand out. One way to do this is through better introductions. But what makes a good introduction? This is a question many writers ask. In fact, introduction writing is something most bloggers struggle with…”

Why it fails:

• 60+ words without value
• Could be deleted entirely
• Tests reader patience

Dictionary Definitions

Problem: Starting with “According to Webster’s…”

Why it fails:

• Overused and boring
• Adds no unique value
• Signals lazy writing

Exception: Only if you’re challenging or redefining the term

Obvious Statements

Problem: “Everyone knows that good writing is important.”

Why it fails:

• Wastes words on agreed premises
• Doesn’t hook or add value
• Makes readers feel talked down to

Empty Promises

Problem: “In this comprehensive article, we’ll cover everything you need to know…”

Why it fails:

• Vague and generic
• Every article claims this
• Specific promises are stronger

Mobile Considerations

The Fold Factor

On mobile:

• Less content visible before scrolling
• Introduction may be all users see initially
• Hook must appear in first few lines

Optimization:

• Front-load hooks for mobile readers
• Keep introduction tight
• Ensure value before first scroll

Paragraph Breaks in Introductions

Desktop: 2-3 sentences per paragraph works

Mobile: Consider even shorter paragraphs

• 1-2 sentences can be easier to scan
• White space improves mobile readability

Testing Introduction Effectiveness

Metrics to Track

Bounce rate: Are people leaving immediately?

Scroll depth: How far down do readers go?

Time on page: Are readers engaging with full content?

Heatmaps: Where do readers actually look?

A/B Testing Ideas

Test variations:

• Hook type (statistic vs. question vs. story)
• Length (100 words vs. 200 words)
• Promise specificity (vague vs. detailed)
• First sentence variations

Frequently Asked Questions

Should every blog post have an introduction?

Yes. Even short posts benefit from 2-3 sentences that orient the reader and promise value.

Can my introduction be longer for complex topics?

Yes, but stay under 20% of total word count. If you need more setup, consider whether some context should move to its own section.

Should I include keywords in my introduction?

Yes, include your primary keyword naturally in the first 100 words for SEO purposes.

How do I know if my introduction is too long?

If you can cut 25-50% without losing meaning or flow, it’s too long. Read it aloud—if you’re impatient to get to the main content, so are your readers.

Do I need to end with “In this article, we’ll cover…”?

No. This formula is overused. Your structure should be clear without explicitly stating it. If you use it, keep it brief and specific.

Should I write the introduction first or last?

Either works. Some writers draft introductions last (easier after you know the full content); others write first (to establish direction). Test both.

Key Takeaways

• 1,000-word article: 100-150 word intro
• 1,500-2,000 word article: 150-200 word intro
• 3,000+ word article: 200-250 word intro
• Include primary keyword in first 100 words
• Hook reader in first sentence
• Users decide to stay/leave within 3 seconds

Conclusion

Your introduction sets the tone and determines whether readers engage with your full content. The 10-15% guideline ensures you have enough space to hook readers without testing their patience. Focus your energy on the first 100 words, front-load value, and skip the preamble that delays your promised content. A strong introduction respects readers’ time while giving them reason to invest it in your article. Try our free letter counter → to verify your introduction length matches these guidelines.