How Many Topics Should a Blog Have? Find the Sweet Spot for Success

How Many Topics Should a Blog Have? Find the Sweet Spot for Success

How Many Topics Should a Blog Have? Find the Sweet Spot for Success

So you’re staring at a blank post and thinking, “Should I write about travel, recipes, my dog, and tech gadgets—or just pick one and run with it?” This question hangs over almost every blogger at some point. And honestly, there’s no magic rule, but there are a few facts and proven tactics that’ll help you figure out what works—for real life, not just in theory.

When you’re picking topics, it’s tempting to cover everything you love. Makes sense. But here’s the kicker: readers (and Google) tend to trust blogs that go deep, not just wide. A recent survey by Orbit Media found that blogs with a clear focus pull in 63% more repeat visitors compared to variety blogs. That doesn’t mean you have to be boring, it just means you need a strategy.

Why Bloggers Stress Over Topic Count

So many new bloggers get stuck here. Should your blog have a tight focus or can you go wild and post about every little thing you like? The pressure comes from all directions—advice forums, SEO guides, and even your friends telling you their opinions.

The truth is, picking the right number of blog topics matters because it shapes almost everything about your blog. If you go too broad, your site can look messy or confusing, and readers won’t know what to expect. On the flip side, go too narrow, and you risk running out of fresh things to say or losing interest over time.

SEO is a huge factor. Google likes to rank sites that seem like experts about something, not just hobbyists who talk about random stuff. In fact, sites that focus on a core set of trending blog topics usually get better rankings. Plus, advertisers and brands looking to partner want you to target a certain audience, not everyone on the internet.

Here’s some real-world data that highlights the struggle:

Number of Blog TopicsAverage Monthly VisitorsRepeat Visitor Rate
1-2 (Niche)5,00067%
3-5 (Balanced)8,00058%
6+3,50040%

Of course, these numbers aren’t everything, but they make it clear: the more scattered your topics, the tougher it is to earn trust and loyalty. It’s no wonder folks get so stressed about picking the perfect balance.

And then there’s this: the blog focus you choose directly affects your content calendar, outreach work, and brand growth. You’re building a house, not a tent—so foundation matters.

The Risks of Spreading Too Thin

If your blog covers every blog topic you can think of, you end up sending mixed signals to your audience and search engines. When someone lands on a blog expecting advice on healthy recipes but instead finds random tech gadget reviews, they’ll probably bounce before they finish scrolling.

One of the biggest problems is losing your audience’s trust. If you seem unfocused, readers won’t see you as an authority on anything in particular. According to a 2024 survey from GrowthBadger, blogs that switch between 5+ unrelated topics have 45% lower subscriber rates than those sticking to 1-2 main themes.

  • SEO impact: Google now favors sites that dive deep into a single subject. Covering everything from pets to personal finance actually makes it harder for your posts to rank (and to even show up in searches related to your strongest topic).
  • Brand confusion: If you’re all over the place, people have a tough time remembering what you stand for. Consistency makes your brand memorable.
  • Burnout: Juggling too many trending blog topics can make blogging more stressful than fun. You’ll run out of steam or out of ideas—sometimes both at once.

Check out how the number of blog topics can mess with your main goals:

Number of Main TopicsAvg. Subscriber Growth (% per year)Bounce Rate (%)
1-23241
3-42152
5+1165

The numbers don’t lie. Sticking to a few, well-chosen blog categories helps you attract and keep loyal readers—the real foundation for any successful blogging strategy.

The Perks of Niche Focus (With a Twist)

The Perks of Niche Focus (With a Twist)

Zeroing in on a tight set of blog topics actually does wonders for building trust with your readers. People love blogs that feel like go-to guides, not just random collections. Google likes it too—the search engine's algorithms look for websites that show deep knowledge about specific subjects. It’s why niche blogs often rank higher in search results compared to scattershot ones.

Take a look at the stats: in a 2023 BuzzSumo content study, blogs that stuck to one or two main topics had an average of 57% more shares and backlinks than multi-topic blogs. That kind of engagement means more eyes on your work and, over time, faster blog growth.

Focusing on a niche makes it easier to:

  • Build authority. Sharing more detailed articles on fewer blog topics sets you up as an expert instead of a generalist.
  • Keep readers hooked. People who find answers on your blog are more likely to save it—and return—if they know what topics to expect.
  • Simplify your content plan. You’re not scrambling for what to write about next; you know your lane.
  • Score better SEO. Google associates you with specific search keywords, making you more likely to show up for related searches.

But here’s where the “twist” comes in. You don’t have to be limited or boring. Smart bloggers use a central theme and mix in related subtopics. For example, if your core is "plant-based recipes," you might also dive into kitchen gadgets, nutrition tips, or plant-based shopping guides. This way, you stay focused but keep things interesting for both you and your readers.

Popular blogs like "The Minimalists" or "Nerd Fitness" started with a tight focus and then expanded slowly, once their main audience was hooked. They built a loyal crowd, then gave them more of what they loved—without suddenly veering off into totally unrelated trends.

Blog FocusAvg. Monthly VisitsAvg. Article Shares
Niche (1-2 topics)80,000530
Wide Variety (4+ topics)32,000230

Bottom line: focus helps you cut through the noise in a world jammed with content, but blending in a few fresh angles keeps your blog fun—and way less repetitive.

How to Choose Your Ideal Number

Picking the right number of blog topics usually works better if you think about your real-life energy, your goals, and, honestly, what kind of readers you want to attract. Let's get into some practical ways to figure it out without overthinking everything.

If you’re just starting out, sticking to 1-3 closely related trending blog topics is gold. Why? Research from HubSpot shows that blogs focused on just a few core areas tend to get 2x more search traffic than blogs that jump around all the time. Readers come back to those blogs because they know what to expect. That reliability is a big deal for search engines, too. Google loves sites where all the content matches up and covers similar questions in detail.

Here’s a quick way to check if your topics make sense together:

  • Imagine explaining your blog to a stranger in one sentence. If it feels awkward or confusing, you might be juggling too many totally separate ideas.
  • If you can tie all your ideas together with a common thread—like “all things digital for busy parents”—you’re on the right track.

For most solo bloggers, sticking with 1-3 main themes works best. Larger team blogs might branch into 4-5, as long as the audience can see the connection. Here’s what some popular blogging platforms say about finding your focus:

Blog SizeIdeal TopicsWhy It Works
Personal Blog1-3Easy management, stronger identity, loyal audience
Small Team2-5More content options, still feels focused
Big Brand4-8Can cover more, needs clear structure

Don’t forget: if you stumble on a hot new trend in your category, you can always test a new topic as a short series first. See if it gets traction. If it flops, no big deal. If it blows up, you can shift gears. Just make sure the topics still have some connection, so your blog doesn’t end up feeling scattered. Your best bet? Listen to your audience, keep an eye on what your analytics are telling you, and don't be afraid to adjust as you go.

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