How to Correctly Use Header Tags for SEO & Accessibility
Effective Use of Header Tags to Improve SEO
Header tags can boost your search rankings and make your content more accessible—don’t overlook this essential web practice!
Want to optimize your site’s content the right way? Keep reading for expert tips!
- Use only one H1 per page to define your main topic.
- Structure content with H2s and H3s for clarity and SEO.
- Don’t choose headers based on appearance—use them for functionality.
- Include keywords in your H1 and throughout your content.
- Add alt text to images and craft an SEO-friendly meta description.
Mastering Header Tags for Optimal SEO Performance
If you’re building a website or writing content for the web, understanding how to use header tags correctly is essential. Not only do they improve your search engine rankings, but they also enhance accessibility for users who rely on screen readers. Unfortunately, header tag mistakes are common. Let’s go over the dos and don’ts of header tags so your content is both structured and optimized.
Don’t Pick Headers Based on Appearance
It can be tempting to choose a header tag simply because it looks the best in your layout. However, header tags are not just about styling. They play an essential role in structuring your content and improving functionality. Some website builders don’t allow customization of font styles for different header tags, so keep that in mind when designing your site.
The Biggest SEO Mistake: Multiple H1 Tags
One of the most common mistakes is using more than one H1 tag per page. Your H1 should be the main heading of your page—think of it as the title of a book. There should only be one per page. After that, use H2s and H3s to structure your content properly.
Why Does This Matter?
Search engines rely on header structures to understand your content hierarchy. Proper use of header tags helps Google determine what your page is about, boosting your chances of ranking higher in search results.
Additionally, users with visual impairments depend on screen readers to navigate your content. When you use multiple H1 tags, it can confuse both search engines and assistive technologies, making your page harder to understand.
How to Optimize Your Header Tags
To make the most of your headers, follow these best practices:
Use a single H1 tag that clearly defines the main topic of your page.
Optimize your H1 with targeted keywords to improve SEO.
Include keywords in your first paragraph and at least three times throughout the page.
Use H2 and H3 tags to break up content logically and support your main keyword with related terms.
Add alt text to all images for SEO and accessibility benefits.
Write a compelling meta description that includes your key phrase. If you’re using WordPress, plugins like Yoast SEO can help you optimize it easily.
H1: Example Layout
H2: Subtitle to Support H1
H3: More Specific Point to H2
If you look at our blog posts, we have a very particular design we use to make the hierarchical structure of the text clear. But that’s not as important as making sure that your header tags are correct!
H3: Additional More Specific Point to H2
If you’re not sure how to adjust your header tags, don’t worry there are resources to make it super clear. Here’s a few to get you started!
- WordPress Though this one depends on your theme; check with the developer of your theme for more specific information
The image here shows how you adjust the tag using Elementor. - Squarespace
- Shopify
- Wix
- Weebly
H2: Additional Subtitle to Support H1
This is where you’d start another topic that still relates to your page content but isn’t specific to what you listed in your first H2.
Best Practices to Use Header Tags for SEO
A clear and well-structured heading hierarchy makes your content more readable, more accessible, and more search-friendly. By following these simple rules, you can improve both user experience and your website’s SEO performance. So, before you publish your next page, take a moment to check your header structure—it can make all the difference!
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