In this article we'll look at everything you need to know about header tags when it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Optimizing the header tags of a page on your site is a crucial aspect of SEO which helps increase your ranks in search engines. You will find out how they work, how to implement them and when to use which tag.
What are header tags?
Heading tags like H1, H2, and H3 are HTML elements that structure content on web pages. They break up blocks of text into easily digestible sections and create a clear hierarchy. Proper use of heading tags not only improves the user experience but also boosts search engine optimization (SEO).
There are six heading tag levels, H1 to H6. H1 is the most important, signifying the main topic of the page. H2 tags divide content into key subtopics, while H3 tags break it down further. The subsequent tags, H4 to H6, handle more granular topics and details.
Why are header tags important?
Search engines place more weight on higher level tags like H1 and H2 when determining relevance and ranking pages. So it's important to use keywords and summaries appropriately in the higher level headers. This gives search bots clearer signals about the page's focus and content structure.
Heading tags are a vital component of semantic HTML and have an impact on both user experience and SEO. In this post, we'll explore best practices for using them effectively.
Header Tag Hierarchy
To show you exactly how header tags are used in the real world, we’ve included a quick example from a post we published recently.
H1: Most Important Heading
H2: Subsection of H1
H3: Subsection of H2
H4: Further breakdown of H3 subsection
H5: Granular detail under H4
H6: Most granular detail under H5
For example, on a webpage about search engine optimization:
H1: Search Engine Optimization
H2: On-Page Optimization
H3: Use Proper Heading Tags
H4: Benefits of Header Tags
H5: Improve Website Structure H5: Help Search Engines Understand Content
H6: Signal Hierarchy and Importance H6: Make Pages More Scannable
This creates a logical structure where the H1 gives the overall topic, H2s divide into subtopics, and so on down to very specific details under H5 and H6. The hierarchy helps both users and search engines digest the content easily.
Heading Tags Improve Accessibility
Here are a few reasons why having proper header tags is good for accessibility.
Screen reader users can navigate pages easier - headers allow them to jump between sections.
They provide visual context and structure for users with cognitive disabilities.
The semantic hierarchy creates logical outlines for assistive technologies to follow.
Headers break up walls of texts into more manageable chunks.
Users can skim and scan for relevant sections more easily.
H1 Tags
As the top-level heading on a webpage, the H1 tag signals the main focus and topic of the content to both users and search engines. An effective H1 concisely communicates the primary theme of a page using important keywords and descriptive language to improve scannability, SEO, and clickthrough rates.
And remember, you only want to use one H1 tag per page.
How long should an H1 tag be?
When it comes to H1 tag length, short and sweet is usually better. Though there are no absolute rules, concise H1s tend to work best for SEO and scannability. Marathon H1s with 20+ words can make it tough for search engines to decipher the core focus and meaning. Aim to keep your H1 tags to around 60 - 70 characters max.
H2 Tags
H2 tags signify subheadings that break up content into logical sections and topics underneath the main H1 heading. They create a visual hierarchy that makes it easy for readers to scan and digest your information. H2s should summarize the main focus of each section using important keywords where possible. They help organize content and signal to search engines what specific subtopics a page will cover related to the overall subject established in the H1 heading. There isn't really a limit to the amount of H2s on your page, but it's best practice to use an H2 when you're exploring a sub-topic about your main topic.
How long should an H2 tag be?
H2s can be as long or as short as necessary, but should include keywords to reinforce your main H1 heading topic. However, if your H2 tags are too long, search engines may have trouble appropriately indexing them.
H3 Tags
H3 tags provide another subheading level that breaks content down into smaller chunks, making details and organization easier to grasp. They take the topics presented in H2 subheadings and divide them into more granular points. H3s should use descriptive headers that summarize the main idea of each detail, helping reinforce semantic structure. Search engines will index the keywords in H3 tags, so relevant terms can boost page rankings. While multiple H2s are common on pages, too many H3s may indicate content should be split up.
How long should an H3 tag be?
Try not to be excessive with how long any of your tags are, including H3 tags. As long as your H3 tags reflect and elaborate on your H2 tag, you’ll be fine.
H4, H5, and H6 Tags
These tags play a less vital role than the higher level header tags in most cases. They provide additional subdivision of topics that are already broken down by H3 subheads. If you find yourself needing lots of low-level headers, it may be better to consider splitting the content into separate pages.
These lower-level tags won't make much impact on SEO or accessibility. Their main function is to add more structure when you have lengthy and complex content.
H4-H6 tags are sometimes utilized automatically by site builders like WordPress and Shopify. They may use them to identify related posts sections or footer links. But in general, these extra header levels are optional and won't affect optimization significantly. The heavy lifting is done by H1, H2 and H3 tags - focus efforts there.
H1 and Title Tag Differences
While H1 tags and page titles both summarize the main topic of a page, they serve different functions - the H1 appears on the visible page content while the title meta tag is used specifically for search engine results and browser tabs. The H1 has more flexibility in length and formatting while titles should be concise and avoid stop words to prevent truncation in SERPs; optimizing both in tandem provides a better user experience.
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