The reading time of a blog post provides an estimate of how long it will take a reader to finish the article. Displaying the reading time can help set user expectations and improve engagement by giving readers a sense of how much time they need to invest. OzSpeed’s Website Builder includes a feature to automatically calculate the reading time for your blog posts. Here’s how the reading time is determined and displayed.
How Reading Time Is Calculated #
Reading time is typically based on the average reading speed of most users, which is estimated to be around 200-250 words per minute (WPM). The formula used to calculate reading time is simple:
Reading Time Formula: #
Reading Time=Total Word CountAverage Reading Speed\text{{Reading Time}} = \frac{\text{{Total Word Count}}}{\text{{Average Reading Speed}}}Reading Time=Average Reading SpeedTotal Word Count
- Total Word Count: The number of words in your blog post, including headings and text within lists.
- Average Reading Speed: Assumed to be 200 words per minute for most calculations.
Example Calculation: #
- If your blog post contains 800 words, the reading time would be: Reading Time=800200=4 minutes\text{{Reading Time}} = \frac{800}{200} = 4 \text{{ minutes}}Reading Time=200800=4 minutes
Tip: #
- For posts with images, videos, or infographics, a small buffer (e.g., an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute) may be added to the estimated time.
Factors Affecting Reading Time #
While the standard calculation is based on word count, other factors can affect the actual reading time:
- Content Type: Complex or technical content may take longer to read.
- Media Elements: Images, videos, and infographics require extra time to view.
- Text Formatting: Long paragraphs may take longer to read compared to shorter, well-structured text with headings and bullet points.
Tip: #
- Consider these factors when estimating reading time for posts that include a lot of multimedia content.
How to Display Reading Time in Your Blog Post #
OzSpeed’s Blog Editor allows you to automatically show the estimated reading time at the beginning of each post.
How to Enable Reading Time Display: #
- Log in to hPanel at ozspeed.com.au.
- Go to Blog Settings > Post Display Options.
- Toggle on the Show Reading Time option.
- Click Save.
Tip: #
- Place the reading time estimate near the post title or introduction for maximum visibility.
Customizing the Reading Time Estimate #
If you want to customize the reading time calculation or add a buffer for media elements, you can adjust the settings manually.
How to Customize: #
- Go to Blog Settings > Reading Time Settings.
- Change the Average Reading Speed to a different value (e.g., 180 WPM for more complex content).
- Add a buffer time for posts with images or videos (e.g., +1 minute).
- Click Apply.
Tip: #
- Adjust the average reading speed based on your audience. For example, a younger, tech-savvy audience might read faster, while a broader audience may benefit from a more conservative estimate.
Best Practices for Using Reading Time #
- Keep It Short and Simple: Aim for blog posts with a reading time of 5 minutes or less for better engagement.
- Mention Reading Time in Promotions: Highlight the reading time in your social media or email promotions to give readers an idea of the time commitment.
- Analyze Reader Behavior: Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor how much time readers actually spend on your posts. Adjust your content length based on these insights.
Troubleshooting Tips #
- Reading Time Seems Incorrect:
- Check the word count of your post to ensure it’s accurate.
- Verify that the average reading speed setting in Reading Time Settings is appropriate for your audience.
- Reading Time Not Displaying on Posts:
- Ensure the Show Reading Time option is enabled in Blog Settings.
- Clear your website cache in hPanel and your browser cache to see the updated display.
- Long Reading Times Impacting Engagement:
- Break up long posts into shorter sections or create a series of articles.
- Use headings, bullet points, and images to make the content more digestible.
Additional Tips: #
- Use a Plugin (Optional): If you need more advanced control over reading time calculations, consider using a plugin or script that offers customizable settings.
- Test Different Lengths: Experiment with shorter and longer posts to see which length resonates best with your audience.
- Provide Value: Focus on delivering valuable content, even if the reading time is longer. High-quality, in-depth posts can engage readers for longer periods.
