Headings

Headings are important for search engines because they use your headings to index the structure and content of your web pages. Headings are defined with the <h1> to <h6> tags.
<h1> headings should be used as main headings, followed by <h2> headings, then the less important <h3> headings, and so on.

HTML Example

<h1>This is a heading</h1>
<h2>This is a heading</h2>
<h3>This is a heading</h3>

Google Do

  • Use heading tags to emphasize important text. Since heading tags typically make text contained in them larger than normal text on the page, this is a visual cue to users that this text is important.

  • Use headings sparingly across the page. Use heading tags where it makes sense.

  • Imagine you are writing an outline, as for a news paper.

  • Put some thought into what the main points and subpoints
    of the content on the page will be and decide where to use heading tags accordingly.

  • Use Multiple heading sizes to create a hierarchical structure for your content if needed, making it easier for users to navigate through your document.

Google Don't

  • Do not use too many Heading tags on a page. Too many heading tags on a page can make it hard for users to scan the content and determine where one topic ends and another begins.

  • Do not make all your text H1 or another heading. Avoid placing text in heading tags that wouldn't be helpful in defining the structure of the page.

  • Do not worry too much about the order of Headings, H2 can come before H1 in the source code if needed, but try to avoid erratically moving from one heading tag size to another.

  • Do not use heading tags where other tags like <em> and <strong> may be more appropriate