Best practices for <h> tags

Heading tags (<h1> to <h6>) play an important role in organizing your content, improving readability, and boosting search engine optimization (SEO). Using them correctly ensures a clear structure for both users and search engines.

Why <h> Tags Matter for Page Hierarchy

When used correctly, heading tags offer several benefits:

 

SEO & Search Engine Understanding

  • Search engines analyze headings to understand content structure and relevance.
  • Proper use of headings can improve rankings and help search engines determine the importance of different sections.

 

Accessibility & Readability

  • Screen readers use heading tags to help visually impaired users navigate content easily.
  • A well-structured page enhances the user experience for all visitors.

 

Ad Relevance & Advertising Bots

  • Proper heading usage helps advertising bots match ads to your content more accurately.
  • This can increase ad relevance and improve monetization opportunities.

 

User Engagement & Experience

  • Readers skim through content using headings, making them more likely to stay on your page.
  • Well-structured headings keep users engaged and improve readability.

 

Featured Snippets & Voice Search Optimization

  • Google may use well-structured headings for featured snippets (e.g., answer boxes in search results).
  • Voice assistants rely on clear headings to deliver relevant results for voice searches.

Best Practices for Using <h> Tags

  1. 1. Use Only One <h1> Per Page

  • The <h1> tag is the main title of your page and should be unique.
  • It should clearly describe the page’s topic.
  • Avoid using multiple <h1> tags, as this can confuse search engines and dilute keyword relevance.

  1. 2. Use <h2> for Main Sections

  • <h2> tags should be used for key sections of your content.
  • They act as chapter titles, helping break down information into digestible parts.

  1. 3. Use <h3> to <h6> for Subsections

Subheadings should follow a logical hierarchy:

  • <h3> for subsections under <h2>.
  • <h4> under <h3>, <h5> under <h4>, and so on. 

  1. 4. Maintain a Logical Order

  • Avoid skipping levels (e.g., jumping from <h1> to <h4> without an <h2> or <h3> in between or using  <h3> before an <h2>, and so on.
  • Following a proper hierarchy ensures a smooth reading experience and improves accessibility.

  1. 5. Keep Headings Concise and Clear

  • Aim for short, descriptive headings that summarize the section’s content.
  • Avoid overly long or vague headings that don’t provide useful information.
  • Place important keywords in headings where they make sense—avoid keyword stuffing.

To change the headings on your page, you can click on a heading that you just added, and on the menu on the right, under Font style, you will see the Headline option. Here, you can select from <h1> to <h6>.

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Using <h> tags correctly is a simple but powerful way to improve both SEO and user experience. Follow these best practices to ensure your content is structured, readable, and optimized for search engines and accessibility.